Confidence boost for Rocks
TARA ROCKS MACAMORE GAELS 2-12 2-4
TARA ROCKS got a confidence-boosting victory on the board in their Greenstar Under-20 hurling Division 3B championship clash with Macamore Gaels in Kilanerin on Wednesday.
It was a tough ask for the hosts, with several of their players on their second match of the evening after togging out in an earlier draw with Na Piarsaigh in the Wexford People Minor football championship.
With walkovers given in half of the scheduled games, it would have been easy for the Rocks to also look for the easy way out, given the circumstances, but to their credit they managed their players well, moved them on and off as needed and deservedly took the spoils.
Despite an early Ben O’Connor point, the Buffers Alley/Ballygarrett side started well. Tom Hobbs netted with a low strike past Cathal O’Reilly, and John Furlong added a quick point as the visitors moved 1-1 to 0-1 ahead.
However, they started to look a bit leggy in the searing temperatures as the half went on. Tara Rocks played with more zip and, after a couple of Caleb Murphy frees, they hit the front when Paudie Hughes rode a hefty challenge and drilled home.
A Patrick O’Connor assist allowed Luke Devitt to place an accurate shot past Conor Dowling to make it 2-3 to 1-1 as the first quarter ended.
Livewire Caleb Murphy notched three points in a row, including one from an acute angle in the right corner, as Tara Rocks kept motoring.
Points either side of the interval (2-6 to 1-2 at halftime) by Brendan Corcoran kept Macamore Gaels in touch, but replies at the other end by Paudie Hughes, Conor Hughes, Murphy and Ben O’Connor moved the hosts 2-10 to 1-4 clear.
Jamie Doyle gave his side some hope with a 52nd-minute major that was deflected high into the net, but his side didn’t have the energy reserves to get any closer and points by Conor Hughes and a seventh from Murphy ensured Tara Rocks triumphed.
Tara Rocks: Cathal O’Reilly; Maurice Cousins, Seán Forde, Liam McCarthy; Andrew Murphy, Seán Bardon, Robert Murphy; Donnacha McDonald, Paudie Hughes (capt., 1-1); Stephen Mordaunt, Ben O’Connor (0-2), Luke Devitt (1-0); Caleb Murphy (0-7, 4 frees, 1 ‘65), Patrick O’Connor, Dylan Holohan. Subs. (rolling) - Conor Hughes (0-2), Ben Morris, Tom Mordaunt.
Macamore Gaels: Conor Dowling; Conor Doyle, Billy Dunne, Gearóid Redmond; John Sinnott, Gavin Morris (capt.), Seán Newens; Darragh Hammel, Seán Weafer, Killian Doyle, Brendan Corcoran (0-2, 1 free), Adam Fleming; Tom Hobbs (1-0), John Furlong (0-1), Cian Fortune. Subs. (rolling) - Liam Walsh, Oisín Fortune, Jamie Doyle (1-1), Barry Doyle, Martin Keane.
Referee: Paul Browne (Clonee).