Ballygarrett looking good
Ross fall to second defeat
BALLYGARRETT 2-16 GER. O’HANRAHANS 1-7
PUTTING THE loss of inter-county attacker Cathal Dunbar behind them, Ballygarrett turned in a hugely impressive performance as they comfortably cast aside the challenge of Geraldine O’Hanrahans in this Top Oil Intermediate ‘A’ hurling championship Group B game in Hollymount on Saturday.
One did not expect this to turn into a non-event to judge by the opening 15 minutes, a period in which the New Ross side played their best hurling.
They held the initiative through this opening spell but it wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard as their finishing failed to match their approach play. Six wides were struck in this period, while a couple of goal opportunities also went abegging.
While Dylan Egan looked dangerous carrying the ball deep into enemy territory, he failed to apply the finish, while his free-taking deteriorated as the game progressed.
As a result Ballygarrett, through the accuracy of Pat Naughter with three points along with a Jack Hobbs free, led by 0-4 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter, with Egan (two, one free) and Eoin Kelly responding.
Barry Roche struck for a splendid goal, finishing to the corner of the net from an acute angle, to give his side a 1-3 to 0-4 lead after 18 minutes, but they could only add one further point, through Roche, before the interval.
By that stage the seasiders had gained the upper hand through the accuracy of Jack Hobbs and a Jimmy Murphy goal close to the break, giving them a 1-8 to 1-4 half-time lead.
When an Egan pointed free reduced the deficit within one minute of the re-start, one presumed the Geraldines were about to up their challenge, but instead it was Ballygarrett who took total control, being dominant in most sectors of the pitch.
With Hobbs pointing the way forward, they clinched the win nine minutes from the end when Eoin Corcoran left two defenders in his wake on a fine run and beat ‘keeper Brandon Gardiner at his near post with an excellent finish.
That left his side leading by 2-13 to 1-6, and with no way back for the opposition who persisted in seeking goals from close-range frees, all to no avail.
Ballygarrett: Shane Quinn; Eddie Redmond, Seamus Doyle, Johnny Sinnott; Brian O’Connor (0-1), Darren Morris, Colm Kennelly; Stephen Remond (0-2, 1 free), Seán O’Brien; Harry Byrne (0-2), Pat Naughter (0-3), Jimmy Murphy (1-0); Eoin Corcoran (1-0), Jack Hobbs (0-8, 7 frees), Paddy Fleming. Subs. - Adam Fleming for Naughter, Killian Doyle for P. Fleming.
Geraldine O’Hanrahans: Brandon Gardiner; Enda Kelly, Gerry Cash, Pádraig Bailey; Michael Cleere, Dylan Egan (0-3, 1 free), Conor Cleere; Matt Crowdle, Jack Foran (0-1); Diarmuid Kehoe, Brian Haberlin, Eoin Kelly (0-2, 1 free); Barry Roche (1-1), Barry Kelly, Kevin Grangel. Subs. - Stephen Somers for Haberlin, Ned Connors for B. Kelly.
Referee: Mick Lanigan (Shelmaliers).