Doyle scores vital
Solid derby success for Hollow crew
HOLLOW ROVERS HWH-BUNCLODY 3-13 1-17
HOLLOW ROVERS rounded out the Greenstar Under-20 hurling championship Division 2B group stages with a solid victory against HWH-Bunclody in Farmleigh on Wednesday.
These sides shared 25 wides, with the hosts hitting 15, but there was plenty of strong hurling in between the miscues and enough drama to keep spectators interested right to the final whistle.
Arguably the biggest difference between the teams was that Diarmuid Doyle made the frees he would be expected to make, while the visitors worked their way through several gallant triers with mixed results.
Hollow Rovers also did a better job of taking their goal chances when they arose.
In fact, their first goal, which came in the third minute, wasn’t even an opportunity, as a long Doyle free took a wicked bounce off the turf and flew into the roof of the net.
A Barry Doyle point in the 15th minute put Rovers 1-4 to 0-4 up but they didn’t score again until the 29th minute.
Bunclody dominated most of the second quarter but only had the five points to show for their efforts, including a pair from Eddie Black.
Yet, from 0-9 to 1-4 down, the Duffry and Marshalstown-Castledockrell combination responded. Cian Fitzhenry and Diarmuid Doyle pointed before the latter ran through and netted in added-time to give the hosts a 2-6 to 0-9 interval advantage.
Things swung back and forth early in the second-half. Three Hollow scores were countered by the two Cathals, Doyle and Dunbar, and a John Doyle free, as the margin remained three towards the end of the third quarter.
Points from Edward Dunbar and Jack Regan closed the gap to one but that’s as close as Bunclody could get.
Tom Lambert started a run of three Hollow points in a row before Bunclody responded, but the game looked up when Gavin Watchorn hauled in a breaking ball in the goalmouth and flashed high to the net.
Into the last five minutes, 3-12 to 0-15 behind, Eddie Black took two shuddering blows, got a great advantage from referee Martin Quigley, and drove home to put three between the sides again.
The intensity ratcheted up a level but Bunclody could get no closer than two points. They had a late free, just over 20 metres out, but Eoin Kelly’s shot was smothered on the line, cleared and Hollow Rovers held on for victory.
Hollow Rovers: Mark Quigley; Ken Doyle, Colm Redmond, Eric Nolan; John Dunne, Mark Morris (capt.), Mark Kehoe; Diarmuid Doyle (2-8, 1-5 frees, 0-1 ‘65), Seamus Doyle; Barry Doyle (0-1), Gavin Watchorn (1-0), Cian Fitzhenry (0-3, 1 free); Tom Lambert (01), Conor Coleman, Michael Kinsella. Sub. (unused) - Eddie Wilson.
HWH-Bunclody: Bobby McKeown; Peadair Cowman, Josh Martin, Jamie Kavanagh; Tadhg Kelly, John Dunne (0-1 free), John McCormack; Ciarán Kavanagh, Eoin Kelly (capt., 0-4, 3 frees); Adam Hogan, Eddie Black (1-2), Jack Regan (0-1); Cathal Doyle (0-3), Edward Dunbar (0-4, 1 free), Cathal Dunbar (0-2). Sub. - Alan Carton for Hogan (46).
Referee: Martin Quigley (Rathnure).