Duffry always in control
DUFFRY ROVERS OUR LADY’S ISLAND 1-10 0-9
LAST YEAR’S beaten finalists, Duffry Rovers, while always in control limped to an eventual four-point victory over a weak Our Lady’s Island outfit in this Top Oil Intermediate ‘A’ hurling championship Group A game in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, on Saturday.
It was certainly a typical opening round game as both sides struggled in front of goal, with Duffry Rovers failing to translate an abundance of possession into scores, despite having a tonic start with an Alan O’Neill goal inside 30 seconds of the start.
After completely dominating the opening ten minutes, leading by 1-4 to 0-1, Duffry Rovers were unable to capitalise on this start as they seemed content to manage their way through the remainder of the game. In the end it was one they were never going to lose though, as they led for the entire 60 minutes.
Our Lady’s Island were desperately short of talent in many areas and this was borne out by their inability to seriously test the Duffry side.
Realistically it was a game that was long gone from them early in the first-half, and it was only the erratic finishing of their opponents that saw them remain within striking distance but still never threatening the eventual result.
To add to the Island’s woes, they had two players red-carded close to the finish following separate incidents, with both Dean Maloney and Rory Reville sent for early showers.
After that early O’Neill goal, the Island responded with a David Pettit pointed free, but the Duffry reply was positive as they struck back with four unanswered points through Cian Fitzhenry, Liam Pender (free), Aidan Byrne and a further Pender free to lead by 1-4 to 0-1 after nine minutes.
While Pettit’s pointed frees provided his side’s first-half scores, the Duffry led by 1-6 to 0-4 at the interval.
The Island did manage to increase the tempo of their game on the resumption, as they struck back with quickfire points from Darragh Sinnott and Noel Dempsey to leave just three separating the sides (1-6 to 0-6).
Realising that it needed something extra, Duffry Rovers stepped up their game.
They went on to control the remaining 20 minutes with Pender and Aidan Byrne sending over points, and as a result they had the victory secure long before the final whistle.
Duffry Rovers: Stephen Watchorn; Craig Casey, Donie Doyle, James Nolan; Mattie O’Connor, Cathal Clince, John Dunne; Donie O’Connor, Aidan Byrne (0-2); Gavin Rafter, Liam Pender (0-6, 5 frees), Joe Coleman; Cian Fitzhenry (0-2), Alan O’Neill (1-0), Gavin Watchorn.
Our Lady’s Island: Alan Kinsella; Brian Moore, Eoin Kinsella, Rory Reville; Dylan Murphy, Dean Maloney (0-1), Davy Corish; Joey Murphy, Cian Meyler; Nicky Keane, Fintan Mullins, Colm Kinsella; David Pettit (0-5 fres), Noel Dempsey (0-2), Darragh Sinnott (0-1). Sub. - Dean Corish for Meyler.
Referee: Mick Lanigan (Shelmaliers).