Hoping the hurlers can follow in the footballers’ footsteps

LAST Saturday evening at the excellent Newcestown venue was a good occasion for Muskerry football with the division’s senior footballers overcoming the Clonakilty challenge.

Muskerry had a disastrous first round championship outing when a depleted team were well beaten by Duhallow so Saturday’s result was one that was badly needed. A significant factor in Muskerry’s victory was the availability of a number of players who were absent for the first round game for a variety of reasons and last Saturday’s team had nine changes from the one that participated in their first round outing.

These changes naturally made a huge difference and when one bears in mind that three leading footballers in the division John Mullins (Éire Óg), Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra) and Cathal Vaughan (Iveleary) were still absent because of injury the potential of the Muskerry team to make an impact in the county championship is significant.

Returning to last Saturday’s game the ability of Muskerry to be more economical with their scoring opportunities was a vital factor in enabling them to be ahead at the end of the hour.

The teamwork between the players was excellent and players who particularly impressed were John Buckley who was brilliant in goal, Sean Kiely and Peter Kelleher. Following last week’s football victory the Muskerry hurlers will hope to emulate them when they take on Carrigdhoun at Paírc Uí Rinn on Monday next.

Muskerry gave a spirited performance when they lost narrowly to Bandon in the first round and a similar display could see them putting it up to Carrigdhoun.

Some of the players from that encounter could be unavailable for Monday however so their task is made harder. Muskerry will be looking to the likes of John O’Keeffe and Sean O’Callaghan (Inniscarra), Kevin Hallissey (Eire Óg), Conor Hayes (Dripsey), David Bowen and Cian Dorgan (Ballincollig), Niall Doherty (Grenagh) to be to the forefront of their quest for victory.