Turner in lethal form
FERNS ST. AIDAN’S 6-16 ST. PATRICK’S 3-15 SHARP-SHOOTING was the key to success for Ferns St. Aidan’s on Monday of last week as their Under-21 hurling team claimed their second consecutive win in the Gorey District Roinn 1 championship. They secured a comprehensive win over their neighbouring club, St. Patrick’s, in Camolin to advance to a final clash with Buffers Alley.
Although the sides were neck and neck for the opening quarter, the Ferns forwards were comfortably on top and their tally of six goals ultimately meant that they were heading home with an impressive scoreline.
During the first-half, the red and white shooters managed to hit the net on two occasions. The St. Pat’s side matched Ferns with their point-scoring efforts, but the same could not be said for their attempts to raise green flags.
The Ferns full-forward line of Chris Turner, Andy Cash and Ben Cowman were a threat throughout. The same could be said for Peter O’Toole, Geoff Tobin, Gavin Bailey and P.J. O’Neill, with each man doing the jersey proud and showing their class.
Goals and points from Turner, Tobin and Cash were answered by St. Patrick’s trio Ashley Tully, John Doyle and Andrew Doyle. These three were on form for the game and managed to notch up seven points between them during the first-half.
With two goals and two points between the squads at the break, St. Pat’s had an uphill battle in the second-half. They didn’t ease off and re-started the match with great energy, producing three goals to show their full potential.
Substitute Ciarán Murphy made a huge impact for St. Patrick’s. The youthful addition secured a goal and a point and this certainly helped the scoreline seem more respectable.
However, Ferns progressed their lead. Ben Cowman, Gavin Bailey and Ryan Nolan added their names to the scoresheet while Cash and Chris Turner didn’t ease up when shooting for goals.
The final quarter saw St. Patrick’s make the most of an eventually complacent Ferns team. Ashley Tully managed to raise the green flag twice with two powerful low shots. Michael O’Brien claimed a point and John Doyle progressed his personal tally to leave his side with a reduced margin of defeat.
Nonetheless, the unanswered scores and unmatchable pace of the Ferns men were the two main components that left them leaving Camolin with smiles on their faces.
St. Patrick’s: Michael Hamilton; Joe Cousins, Paddy Hobbs, Dylan Kavanagh; Ian McGuire, Darragh Murphy, Michael Carroll; Michael O’Brien (0-1), Paul McDonald; Ger Gahan, John Doyle (0-11, 6 frees), Andrew Doyle (0-1); Ashley Tully (2-1), Kyle Byrne, Seán Redmond. Subs. - Ciarán Murphy (1-1) for Gahan, Matthew Crawte for Redmond, Vincent Gahan for Byrne.
Ferns St. Aidan’s: Aaron Collier; Conor Scallan, Gerard Turner, Jack O’Hagen; Jason Collier, Ryan Nolan (0-2), John Roche; Gavin Bailey (0-2), P.J. O’Neill; Peter O’Toole (0-2), Geoff Tobin (1-2), Aaron Cahill; Chris Turner (4-5, 0-3 frees), Andy Cash (1-2), Ben Cowman (0-1). Subs. - Conor Doran for Bailey, Ciarán Doran for Cahill, Seán Fortune for Roche, Conor Nolan for O’Neill, inj.
Referee: David Owens (Askamore).