Clearcut Gusserane win

GUSSERANE 2-19 M’TOWN-C’RELL 2-12

A SOLID team performance helped Gusserane to a fully-merited ninepoint win over Marshalstown-Castledockrell in Group B of the Top Oil Intermediate hurling championship in Bree on Saturday.

Last year’s Junior champions always looked to have the measure of their opponents and, despite having to weather a storm or two, they ultimately ran out comfortable winners.

There was little between the sides in the early stages, with Sam Wall, Páraic Conway and Kevin O’Donohoe of Gusserane exchanging points with Micheál Jordan, Colm Bennett and Diarmuid Doyle.

However, the O’Rahilly’s men put daylight between the sides in the eleventh minute when Sam Wall sent a delivery into the danger zone and Tom Foran finished past goalkeeper Michael Kelly from close range.

Things got even better for the New Ross District side in the 19th minute when they got the green flag waving for a second time, with Mark O’Neill quickest to the loose ball before burying a shot to the net, helping his side to a 2-4 to 0-5 advantage.

Points from John Roche, Sam Wall and Páraic Conway stretched the lead to eight by the 25th minute, but Marshalstown-Castledockrell got the fillip they needed when Colm Bennett gathered possession, raced through on goal and shot past netminder Micheál Ryan.

Mark Brennan followed it up with a point to leave his side trailing by four (2-7 to 1-6) at the break.

After Gusserane’s Kevin O’Donohoe opened the second-half scoring, Marshalstownquickly had the lead down to two points when they pounced for their second goal. Micheál Jordan played the ball into Colm Quigley and he turned brilliantly before blasting it to the net.

Marshalstown-Castledockrell remained within touching distance of their opponents until the 51st minute, when they trailed by 2-14 to 2-11, with Jordan and Eoin Bennett contributing nice points, while Adrian Redmond and substitute Tommy Ryan fired over praise-worthy efforts for the winners.

However, like a good thoroughbred, Gusserane pulled away stylishly in the final furlong, with Mark O’Neill, Jack Culleton, Sam Wall and the tireless John Roche all splitting the posts to seal an impressive victory.

Gusserane: Micheál Ryan; Eoghan Foran, Kenneth Cahill, Jack O’Connor; Liam Dillon, Shane Cullen, Páraic Conway (0-2); Adrian Redmond (0-3), Gavin Sheehan; Martin Fitzharris, John Roche (0-4), Kevin O’Donohoe (0-2); Sam Wall (0-5, 2 frees, 1 ‘65), Mark O’Neill (1-1), Tom Foran (1-0). Subs. - Tommy Ryan (0-1) for T. Foran (34), Jack Culleton (0-1) for Fitzharris (49).

Marshalstown-Castledockrell: Michael Kelly; Eoin Ryan, James Finn, Ken Doyle; David O’Connor, Michael Morris, James Farrell; John Cullen, Eoin Bennett (0-1); Tom Bennett, Micheál Jordan (0-3), Colm Bennett (1-2, 0-1 free, 0-1 ‘65); Colm Quigley (1-0), Diarmuid Doyle (0-4, 2 frees), Mark Brennan (0-2). Subs. - Johnny Frayne for Ryan (34), Michael Kinsella for T. Bennett (35).

Referee: Brian O’Leary (Crossabeg-Ballymurn).