Early O’Gorman goal helps Taghmon into decider

TAGHMON-CAMROSS 1-17 LIAM MELLOWS 1-14

THE TOP Oil Intermediate ‘A’ hurling championship has thrown up an intriguing county final where Taghmon-Camross will play Duffry Rovers in Innovate Wexford Park on October 20.

The New Ross District side booked their spot in the decider when they registered a threepoint win at the expense of Liam Mellows in Bellefield on Sunday.

Taghmon-Camross made full use of a substantial breeze at the Enniscorthy venue by building a 1-4 to 0-1 lead inside the opening quarter, with Stephen O’Gorman belting in their goal.

The dangerous county Under-21 hurler added two points to his personal tally before the end, while the assured free-taking of Cathal Doyle (0-11, 9 frees) ensured that Jason Ryan’s men weren’t going to be reeled in by the determined north county outfit.

Colin Kennedy was a constant threat from dead-balls for the Mellows, and finished with a healthy total of 0-10, while substitute Stephen Moloney knocked in a late goal after a scramble.

Overall, despite the 1-17 to 1-14 loss here, it still represents a massive improvement in performance for the Coolgreany-based lads, who have generally struggled to make any significant inroads in hurling in recent times. In fact, they contested the relegation final against Rathnure in this grade just last year.

And with their Junior ‘B’ hurlers still in championship contention, perhaps there is change in the air.

For Taghmon-Camross, they will now be looking to emulate the exploits of neighbours St. James’ and Fethard, who have taken home the last two editions of this particular championship, and will be aiming for their first hurling county title since winning the Junior crown in 2015.

They beat Shelmaliers in that final and went on to reach the Intermediate ‘ A’ last four at the first attempt.

However, they will likely go into the decider as underdogs bearing in mind that opponents Duffry Rovers beat them comprehensively by 1-19 to 0-9 in last year’s quarter-final.

Having said that, Taghmonwon their recent group game by 2-13 to 1-14, although they only stumbled over the line with a late T.J. Codd goal despite the Duffry finishing with only twelve men.

After the disappointment of relegation from Senior football, it would be a major fillip for this promising young team if they could bring the silverware home on Saturday week.

Taghmon-Camross: Jack Dunne; David O’Keeffe, Alan Nolan, Mark O’Gorman; Stephen Stafford, Ian Carty (0-1 ’65), Shane Doyle; Thomas Furlong, Darren Carty; Chris Cullen, Barry O’Gorman (0-2), Darren Hayden; Luke Sinnott (0-1), Stephen O’Gorman (1-2), Cathal Doyle (0-11, 9 frees). Subs. - Shane Lacey for Furlong, T.J. Codd for Cullen, Michael O’Gorman for Sinnott.

Liam Mellows: Darragh Murphy; Marc Halpin, Conor Cleary, Risteárd Kinsella; Aaron Condren, Danny Gardiner, Frank Roche; Rory Heffernan, Ross Cody (0-2); Eoin Cullen, Colin Kennedy (0-10 frees), Joe Gardiner; Conor Carty, Richard Farrell (0-2), Brendan Halpin. Subs. - Stephen Moloney (1-0) for Cullen, Yusuf Frih for B. Halpin, Liam Coleman for Heffernan, Gavin Stamp for Carty, Stephen Rafferty for J. Gardiner.

Referee: Philip Murphy (Faythe Harriers).