Duffry blow Hogues away
DUFFRY ROVERS BALLYHOGUE 2-23 1-8
DUFFRY ROVERS advanced to an Enniscorthy District Under-21 hurling Roinn 1 championship semi-final meeting with Monageer-Boolavogue after blowing away Ballyhogue in Coolree on Tuesday.
The hosts will fancy their chances of a good run in this competition with strong players right through their side, and they proved way too hurling-savvy for a team which will be a different proposition with the big ball later in the season.
Realistically, it’s impressive that Ballyhogue are fielding a team with very little attention on hurling while the club are right in the mix for the Intermediate football championship. They did, however, give it a good go.
Considering the pressure they were under, the fullbacks played well, conceding just a goal in each half. Nick Doyle was strong on the ball at centre-back but the Duffry held most of the aces around the middle third of the field.
Coming into the game as a big underdogs, the last thing you need is a bad start, but that’s exactly what the visitors got as Liam Pender found the net for his side within seconds of the throw-in.
Mick Condon kept the scoreboard ticking over with a few frees for Ballyhogue while Dylan Dalton soloed through from 40 metres out and smashed a stunning finish past Callum Fenlon between the Rovers sticks.
However, with Cian Fitzhenry on his way to double-digits and Pender also registering with regularity, the home side eased into a 1-18 to 1-4 interval lead. Both sides rang the changes after the interval and it was a more even contest.
Enda Minogue was dangerous for Ballyhogue and registered a couple of minors, while at the other end Fizthenry scored a fantastic individual goal. In the end there wasn’t much intensity about the game after the break and the Duffry were able to advance to the last four unscathed.
Duffry Rovers: Callum Fenlon; Eric Nolan, Tomás Dunne, Jamie Roban; John Dunne, Michael O’Leary, Colm Redmond; Gavin Watchorn (0-2), Gavin Rafter (0-1); Jack Bates (0-1), Liam Pender (1-6, 0-2 frees), Gearóid Doyle; Michael Doyle (0-1), Conor Coleman (0-1), Cian Fitzhenry (1-10, 0-4 frees, 0-1 pen.). Subs. (all used) - Tim Bowler (0-1), Aaron Coleman, Michael Kearns, Seamus Doyle, Alan Doyle.
Ballyhogue: Daniel Murphy; Shane Fenlon, Seán Rochford, Darragh Byrne; Nick Doyle, Shane Doyle, Conor Long; Dylan Dalton (1-1), Conor Byrne; Dean Doyle (0-1), Enda Minogue (0-2), Mick Condon (0-4 frees); Conor Rossiter, Peter Kelly, Liam Rossiter. Subs. - Chris Byrne for Murphy, Noel Roche for C. Rossiter, Cian Rochford for Condon, Edward Byrne for D. Byrne.
Referee: John Carton (Monageer-Boolavogue).