Duhallow hurlers following in trail of the men of ‘82
DUHALLOW remain in with a shout of landing their third outright County Under 21 HC title on a replay against Blackrock on this Friday night in Pairc Uí Rinn.
From the drawn encounter, a gritty Duhallow never gave up having held the lead for a lengthy stage. Still, it looked as if Blackrock had timed their run to perfection to jump four points clear entering the closing phase.
However, Duhallow hung in defiantly and their rescue came in the form of a last gasp equalising goal from substitute James Fitzpatrick. Duhallow appearances in a county Under 21 hurling deciders date back to 1982 when they captured its first county title in the grade.
En-route, Duhallow paraded two quality displays to negotiate a path to lifting the championship trophy. A bye in the quarter final allowed Duhallow sweep past Cloughdubh 5-7 to 2-11 in the penultimate hurdle.
Into the decider, the veil that had lain for so long was lifted when Duhallow bettered Milford 3-5 to 1-6 at Buttevant. Corner forward Paudie Burke emerged the hero of the hour on bagging a hat trick of goals.
That historic Duhallow side fielded as Michael Lane (Newmarket), Liam Brosnan (Meelin), Eamon Barry (Kanturk), Danny Flynn (Newmarket), John Kenneally (Kanturk), Joe Noonan (Lismire), Michael O’Connor (do), Tom Walsh (Kanturk) (captain), Ned Brosnan (Meelin), John Flynn (Freemount), Pat Smith (Kanturk), Donal Sheahan (Kilbrin), Stephen Reilly (do), John Brosnan (Meelin), Paudie Burke (Newmarket). Subs: Martin Byrnes (Dromtariffe), Damien Keane (Freemount), Neilly McCarthy (Newmarket), Pat Galvin (Kanturk), John Keane (Newmarket), Johnny O’Connor (Lismire).
Duhallow made strides again at the close of the last decade. Though defeated by back to back winners Bishopstown, Duhallow delivered a hugely encouraging performance in that 2007 outing.
The run of progress continued in 2008 though ultimately ending in heartbreak in the decider on a defeat in a replay to Glen Rovers. That augured well for 2009, Inniscarra provided a competitive test at the initial hurdle where Duhallow’s credentials were given a severe analysis though surfacing best in a replay.
It secured Duhallow a place in the penultimate hurdle against reigning champions Glen Rovers. From the outset, Duhallow set about atoning for the previous season’s defeat through neat and skilful hurling to yield victory.
Into a final, Duhallow conquered any lingering doubts about their ability on the big final day, confirmed on producing a hugely focused and motivating display to record a 0-18 to 1-5 triumph over Ballinhassig.
Direct from the off, Duhallow’s game oozed class on hurling with a tempo and confidence above a disappointing Ballinhassig challenge. Ahead by four points at the break, Duhallow returned with a renewed spring in their step.
What was most pleasing apart from their general play overall was Duhallow’s first touch and competent effort offered by the team as an unit in their search to add to a previous outright win from 1982.
The winning team lined out as K Roche (Banteer), S O’Riordan (Meelin), A O’Connor (Kanturk), B Withers (Banteer), K Mannix (do), M Ellis (Millstreet), W Egan (Kilbrin), W Murphy (Meelin), J McLoughlin (Kanturk), K Sheahan (Kilbrin), K O’Sullivan (Newmarket), A Walsh (Kanturk), B Sheehy (Tullylease), L McLoughlin (Kanturk), D Roche (Banteer). Subs: L Daly (Kilbrin), J Ryan (Newmarket), W Corkery (Kilbrin), D Dennehy (Banteer), C Burke (Kanturk).
Forward to 2015, stalemate in the drawn final and this week’s review sessions will dwell who can emerge best to a contest that seems destined for another tight finish.