Moguegeen move in to semi-final running
Combination too good for Shamrocks
MOGUEGEEN GAELS 3-16 SHAMROCKS 0-4
MOGUEGEEN GAELS got themselves right into position to reach the Roinn 2 semi-finals of the Wexford People Minor hurling championship with an impressive victory over Shamrocks in Fr. Murphy Park on Wednesday.
The sides had boasted just one win between them in this season’s competition so it was clear that this was the last chance to stake a claim for a semi-final berth. It was the Fethard/Clongeen combination that did just that, leaving destiny in their own hands.
Despite missing the influential Jimmy Sutton through injury, the visitors possessed the sharper weapons.
Aaron Murphy was unerring from dead balls and a real workhorse with Brian Dillon in midfield.
The speed of Oggie Doyle at corner-forward proved hard for the hosts to curtail, despite a solid defensive effort that saw the starting Moguegeen forwards register just 1-2 from play between them.
Cian O’Grady-Fortune was probably the victors’ star man. The wing-back popped over three long-range scores and was a bundle of energy in a half-back line that mopped up almost all that was thrown their way.
For the hosts, a young team for the most part, there was no shortage of effort.
They gave it everything they had but they just couldn’t match their opponents’ quality. However, the opening exchanges were even enough.
Points from Philly and Ciarán O’Brien cancelled out a pair of Aaron Murphy frees as the sides ended the first quarter deadlocked at 0-2 each.
However, Moguegeen blitzed away before the break with Oggie Doyle’s rasping high finish eventually leaving his side 1-7 to 0-2 clear at the interval.
Playing with the breeze, the New Ross District combo made their intentions known within 60 seconds of the re-start as Brian Dillon drove right through the heart of the Shamrocks defence and dispatched a tidy finish across Josh Murphy to the net.
Dean Levingstone had a lively game for the hosts and he added two second period points.
However, the scores came more freely at the other end with Murphy drilling home a 20-metre free and Seán Dunne and Ryan Molloy also getting their names on the scoresheet to secure the win.
Moguegeen Gaels: Seamie Kiely; Stephen Dundon, Peter Waters, Liam Whelan; Cian O’Grady-Fortune (0-3), Adam Waters, Oisín Rooney; Aaron Murphy (1-9, 1-8 frees), Brian Dillon (1-1); Robbie Rochford, Seán Dunne (0-1), Conor McGee; Zachary Lavery, Jack Nolan-Pearce, Oggie Doyle (1-1). Subs. - Adam O’Sullivan for Nolan-Pearce (31), Seán Walsh for Lavery (31), Ryan Molloy (0-1) for McGee (31), Louis Doherty for Rochford, inj. (39), Nolan Pearce for Doyle, inj. (45), also Jimmy Sutton.
Shamrocks: Josh Murphy; Anthony Giltrap, Sam O’Brien, Dylan O’Sullivan; Kian Cowman, Darragh Kirwan, Jordan O’Brien; Mick Abidoye, Dean Levingstone (0-2); Cian Byrne, Philly O’Brien (0-1 free), Ciarán O’Brien (0-1); Oisín Murphy, Ben Doyle, Dylan Murphy. Subs. - Seán Levingstone for C. O’Brien (35), Kyle Clifford for O. Murphy (40), Conor Murphy for D. Murphy (45), Levente Rozsa for Giltrap (46).
Referee: Ian Plunkett (Marshalstown-Castledockrell).