Fermoy hurlers trounce Tracton to send out clear message of intent

Fermoy 4-22 Tracton 0-7

BEATEN by Kilworth in Round 1, last year’s defeated finalists Fermoy sent out a clear message they remain one of the leading contenders for the County PIHC title when romping to victory over Tracton at Riverstown last Saturday evening.

It was highly impressive stuff from the North-Cork side as they pounded their hapless opponents into submission with a brand of fast, cohesive hurling that was a delight to watch.

They led from start to finish, and, aided by an early goal from full forward Mark Flynn, they had forged 1-3 ahead before Jack Hutchings scored their second in the 9th minute.

Wing back David Byrne got Tracton off the mark a minute later, but the Minane Bridge side were forced to rely on Ronan Walsh’s accuracy from placed balls for the rest of their scores in the first half.

It took an excellent save by Fermoy ‘keeper Conor Quinn to prevent Walsh from giving Tracton a badly-needed boost in the 12th minute, but the winners’ rearguard, with Brian O’Sullivan dominating at centre back, enjoyed complete control otherwise before the break.

It was a similar story elsewhere, with the dynamic Kieran Morrison exerting a massive influence at midfield, and Jack Hutchings and Padraig Roiste looking especially sharp in the corner forward berths as Fermoy carved out the openings with ease and regularity.

They were leading by 2-7 to 0-4 before Morrison was issued with a straight redcard in the 26th minute, but Tracton’s numerical advantage didn’t last long as corner back Billy Lynch picked up a second yellow before half time.

Turning over 2-11 to 0-5 to the good, Fermoy wasted little time in tightening the screw on the resumption, stretching the gap through points from Shane Aherne and Padraig De Roiste.

In between those two scores, Tracton ‘keeper Kieran Lyons made a fine save to foil Mark Flynn, and he denied Flynn again midway through the second half.

Add in the fact that Fermoy finished the match with 17 wides, eight more than Tracton, and it becomes glaringly obvious their winning margin could have assumed far greater proportions.

Tracton’s misery was compounded when they were reduced to 13 players following the dismissal of wing forward Joe Kingston for a second bookable offence in the 34th minute, and Fermoy’s superiority became even more pronounced after that.

Goals from the ever-menacing Jack Hutchings and substitute Padraig Clancy enabled Fermoy to build up a 4-17 to 0-5 lead before Tracton finally broke their second half duck in the 52nd minute.

It was substitute Kieran Lynch who pointed for Tracton at that juncture, and another sub Alan Kiely completed their tally near the end, which meant that none of their starting forwards got on the scoresheet as they made a most ignominous exit from the title race.

Given that they were unlucky to lose their opening game, which went to extra time, to a Cloyne side that later came out on top in a Round 2A with Kilworth, Tracton’s abject capitulation wouldn’t have been predicted beforehand.

With that in mind, Fermoy’s performance was all the more noteworthy perhaps, although they won’t need to be told that, in order to go one better than last year, they are going to have to negotiate far more difficult obstacles further down the line.

FERMOY: