Banteer outscore Crokes on the double

Banteer 0-22 Croke Rovers 1-8

BANTEER proved too strong for a plucky Croke Rovers in the Central Stores of Kanturk Duhallow U-21 Hurling Championship played in Banteer.

Apart from a competitive opening quarter, Banteer always looked far the more formidable force, playing comfortably within themselves and convert chances into an impressive tally. As the contest progressed, Banteer dominated under the puckouts and also in the battle for loose possession.

Rovers didn’t go down without a fight but the loss of players and injuries saw the Castlemagner and Kilbrin side lack conviction and the outcome saw them loose by double scores. It all began promising enough for Rovers through the efforts of Daniel Murphy, Diarmuid O’Mahony and Evan O’Sullivan picked off points to steer the visitors into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead.

However an injury to midfielder Eoin O’Mahony disrupted Rovers rhythm and it allowed Banteer gain a telling grip on the proceedings. Indeed Banteer looked really good, moving with pace and precision, underlined by quality points from Conor Murphy, Cathal O’Donoughue and Liam O’Brien to enjoy a commanding 0-11 to 0-4 grip at the break.

On the change around, Banteer continued where they left off to dominate the key departments, their defence especially imposing with central figures James McAulliffe and Colm Coughlan leading the resiatance, the Murphys’ -Barry and Conor won a massive amount of ball in the centre for a productive attack of O’Donoughue, Paudie Lyons and the O’Brien brothers find the target with terrific accuracy.

Rovers attempted to work the ball into scoring zones but they were slow, laboured and predictable, getting rarely close enough to test Banteer ‘keeper Ross Kiely. At the opposite end, Banteer varied their play impressively , not just in terms of a long and short game but also switching the angles of attack for a run of additional points clocked up by Murphy, Lyons and the O’Briens.

Rovers did their best to plot a way out of an increasingly troubled position and gathered some reward for their endeavours on a consolation goal from a free by Evan Murphy. Just a blip for Banteer, all through the second half, they always looked as if they were comfortably in control of their own destiny and the outcome sees them maintain an interest in the championship.

BANTEER: R Kiely; O Doherty, J McAulliffe, C Kiely; N Twomey, C Coughlan, S Kealy; B Murphy, C Murphy 0-8 (3f, 1 ‘65’); E O’Brien 0-2, C O’Donoughue 0-4, L O’Brien 0-3; D Murphy, P Lyons 0-5 (2f), T Sheehan.

CROKE ROVERS: D Lucey; S Hayes, B Power, I O’Sullivan; J Corkery, R O’Brien, D Murphy; E O’Mahony, D O’Mahony 0-2; E O’Sullivan 0-4 (3f), E Murphy 1-2 (1-0f), S Curtin; R O’Mahony, J Kennedy, L Nally. Sub: D Judd for E O’Mahony(inj).

REFEREE: J Keating (Millstreet)