Alley advance to decider with pillar to post victory

BUFFERS ALLEY BALLYGARRETT 2-16 2-11 BUFFERS ALLEY led from the first minute to the last to book their place in the Gorey District Under-21 hurling Roinn 1 championship final at the expense of hosts Ballygarrett on Monday of last week.

The Monamolin side took the lead in the opening few seconds when Owen Dempsey popped over from tight on the right of goal and continued to build their advantage with consistent, high-tempo hurling throughout.

Dempsey would go on to have a stellar showing for his club but the basis of this victory was strong performances all over the field. Having edged through a tough encounter with Liam Mellows previously, the Alley looked the better for that contest.

John Lee Meyler was exceptional in midfield, and tie his performance in with stand-outs by Ross Donohoe at number 11 and John Farrell at centre-back and it becomes clear why the visitors were in the ascendancy through- out most of this tie.

Unsurprisingly, Cathal Dunbar was the focal point for most of Ballygarrett’s best attacks. His pace caused problems, with Cormac Moore and Eoin Corcoran also having their moments, but they just faced a side with a little more quality at their disposal.

The Alley led by 0-4 to nil before Ballygarrett got a controversial goal in the eighth minute. With Moore’s ball across goal bobbling, above head-height, around on the edge of the square, Philip Doyle got a touch to sent it towards goal. It did hit a post in the scramble and was adjudged to have crossed the line by the umpire nearest the action.

Yet Buffers Alley responded six minutes later when Oliver O’Leary drove long, Ross Donohoe flicked on and Dempsey broke away before firing through a gap in the Ballygarrett net, via goalkeeper Conor Dowling’s hurley.

Meyler was almost unplayable in the second quarter, bringing his tally to four points. Eventually, the hosts moved Evan Dunbar out to match-up but Buffers Alley still went in 1-11 to 1-6 ahead at the break.

That lead was extended further after the turn-around when Walter Gahan collected Dempsey’s intelligent pass and drilled low past Dowling. The Alley advantage was still a comfortable one, standing at 2-15 to 1-9, with eight minutes left.

Ballygarrett finished with a spell of pressure and Gavin Walker managed to flick Corcoran’s low, drilled effort to O’Leary’s net, but Buffers Alley never looked like giving up their District final place versus Ferns St. Aidan’s.

Buffers Alley: Oliver O’Leary (capt.); Laurence Gahan, Ciarán Murphy, Leonard Leacy; Gearóid O’Connor, John Farrell, John Furlong; John Lee Meyler (0-5), Eoin Whelan (0-1); Lee Murphy, Ross Donohoe (0-6, 4 frees, 1 ‘65, 1 line ball), Liam Rath; Robbie Donnelly, Walter Gahan (1-0), Owen Dempsey (1-3). Subs. - Darragh Hammel for Rath (56), Rory Kirwan for Gahan (60+1), Darragh O’Connor for L. Murphy (60+6).

Ballygarrett: Conor Dowling; Gavin Morris, Shane Quinn, Evan Dunbar; Jack Doyle, Darren Morris, Brian O’Connor; Tom Sinnott (0-1), Gavin Walker (capt., 1-1); Billy Conroy, Philip Doyle (1-0), Cathal Dunbar (04, 3 frees); Patrick Fleming, Cormac Moore (0-3, 2 frees), Eoin Corcoran (0-2). Subs. - Oisín Dunbar for Doyle (47), Michael Burke for Conroy (47).

Referee: Eddie O’Sullivan (Ballyfad).