Hughes points the way
BUFFERS ALLEY FAYTHE HARRIERS
ELEVEN POINTS from Jim Hughes fired Buffers Alley to victory over Faythe Harriers in this closely-fought Permanent TSB Junior hurling championship Group A game in Blackwater on Sunday.
This was a highly entertaining affair with Faythe Harriers bagging three goals to take a reasonable lead just after the break, but in typical fashion, Buffers Alley refused to lie down and worked themselves back into things with huge thanks to an exhibition of free-taking given by Hughes.
The action in this game was immediate, with Keith Burke’s stinging shot on goal kept out with a diving save by Adam McDaid.
The sides exchanged scores three times in the early stages before Buffers Alley were given the edge midway through the half when Burke pulled first-time on a high delivery for an excellently-executed goal.
The Harriers had two chances for goals shortly afterwards, with Tony Doran making a fine save before Eoin Roche narrowly missed with a glorious chance.
But they made no mistake just before the break as Jack O’Leary blasted home their first goal before a high delivery was dropped by Doran and ended up in the net.
The second-half started just like the first, with McDaid doing well to keep out an early attempt by Keith Burke and Hughes converting the resultant ’65.
Minutes later Eoin Roche was on hand to fire the Wexford town side in front with a shot to the top corner of the net along with a point shortly afterwards.
From here Jim Hughes became the prominent figure in the game, expertly converting five placed balls, while the industrious Shane Howard kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Harriers, and with full-time almost up, Hughes and Darragh Butler put their side two points ahead.
The Harriers really needed a goal and their final chance was a free from Howard, but his rasping shot was deflected over the bar to secure the win for Buffers Alley.
Buffers Alley: Tony Doran; Paudie Kinsella, Alan Doyle, Matty Cardiff; John Furlong, Aaron Redmond, Domhnall McArdle; Jim Hughes (011, 10 frees, 1 ’65), Jamie DempseyDoyle; Robert Donnelly (0-1), Darragh Butler (0-2), Colm Óg Doran; Lee Murphy, Keith Burke (1-2), Darragh Hammel (0-1).
Faythe Harriers: Adam McDaid; Jake Clancy, John Walsh, Peter Furlong, Danny Walsh, Alan Lynch, Fiach O Crualaoich; Daniel Lynch (1-0), Jack Murphy; Conor Halligan (0-2), Shane Howard (0-6, 4 frees), Eoin Roche (11); Seán Banville, Jack O’Leary (1-1), Chris Glover. Sub. - Nicky Murphy for Glover.
Referee: Aidan Foley (Shelmaliers).