Oulart-The Ballagh drive on
Storming second-half show ends HWH-Bunclody’s bid
OULART-THE BALLAGH HWH-BUNCLODY 3-14 1-5
TURNING IN a storming second-half display, Oulart-The Ballagh blitzed an up to then impressive HWH-Bunclody in this Enniscorthy Guardian Under-15 hurling Roinn 1 championship final in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, on bank holiday Monday.
While HWH-Bunclody would have been delighted with their start, racing into an early three-point lead, they failed to build on this despite being assisted by a stiff breeze.
As a result, Oulart-The Ballagh were able to remain in contention right through the opening period, before going on to turn on the style with an excellent second-half display.
In that period they outscored their opponents by 2-11 to 0-2, which was an indication of their dominance.
Oulart-The Ballagh went into this game as favourites, but one had to admire the HWH-Bunclody boys for the manner in which they took the game to their opponents through the opening 30 minutes.
However, once the eventual winners stepped up the tempo of their game, they were unable to match the skill and fluency of the opposition’s play.
That second-half display from the eventual winners was very impressive. They played with skill and quality, showing the composure which came with their dominance, and they picked off a string of excellent scores both from open play and placed balls.
Their performance was highlighted by some outstanding individual displays, as Simon Roche commanded the middle of defence with an excellent centre-back display, while Dylan Butler and Conor Blake were also impressive.
With Seamus Ormonde and Oisín Dunne gaining control in midfield, one saw some delightful forward play from Bertie Finn, Jason Rossiter and John Lyndon.
HWH-Bunclody will be disappointed with the result but they came up against a superior force.
Despite this, Thomas Cowman and Rory Raleigh impressed in defence, while Aaron Dunne and Dara Farrell had their moments in midfield. In attack, Faoláin O Ceallaigh and Ciarán Whiting carried the main threat.
Jason Rossiter pointed the eventual winners in front in the opening minute, but their opponents struck back, taking a third-minute lead when Whiting finished a long, dropping ball to the net.
They managed to extend that advantage almost immediately through a Dara Farrell point.
Within two minutes, Oulart-The Ballagh responded with their opening goal when Ben Harpur finished to the net from close range.
The sides went on to exchange two points apiece, with Whiting and Farrell on target for HWH-Bunclody, while Michael O’Brien (free) and Jason Rossiter (free) responded for the eventual winners, leaving the sides level (1-3 each) at the interval.
Oulart-The Ballagh set the scene for a dominant second-half when Jason
Rossiter goaled within one minute of the re-start, and they still led by 2-9 to 1-4 after 40 minutes, when John Lyndon cut through the defence to add his side’s third goal with an excellent finish.
There was to be no doubting their second-half dominance as they continued to pick off some excellent points on their way to a hugely impressive victory.
Oulart-The Ballagh: Georgie Kelly; Jake Stamp, Dylan Butler, Lee Doyle; Conor Blake, Simon Roche (0-2), Frank Gallagher; Seamus Ormonde (0-1), Oisín Dunne; Michael O’Brien (0-1 free), Bertie Finn (0-2), Ben Harpur (1-0); Cathal Kennedy, John Lyndon (1-2), Jason Rossiter (1-6, 0-3 frees). Subs. - James O’Leary, J.D. Masterson, Eoin Mongan, Aaron Royce, Cian O’Connor, Frank Gallagher, Eanna Swords.
HWH-Bunclody: Tadgh Byrne; Sam Black, Thomas Cowman, Jack Reck; Matt Tully, Rory Raleigh, Conor Burke; Aaron Dunne, Dara Farrell (0-2); Desmond O’Connor, Luke Boxwell, Faoláin O Ceallaigh (0-2 frees); Michael Doyle, Ciarán Whiting (1-1), Mylie Moorehouse. Subs. - Sam Lonergan for Tully, Larry Connors for Burke, also Hugh Byrne, Seán Dunbar, Paddy Scott, Rian O’Leary,
Jimmy Connors, Aron Whiting. Referee: Joe Kelly (Naomh Eanna).