Duhallow bow out to impressive Na Piarsaigh

Na Piarsaigh 1-17 Duhallow 0-14

A GOAL entering the final quarter by Evan Sheehan proved decisive as Na Piarsaigh overcame Duhallow in the County Premier 2 U-21 HC at at Buttevant on Saturday.

Na Piarsaigh dominated the opening half with Craig Hannafin and Dan Gunning very effective at midfield while up front Evan Sheehan and Kelvin Forde excelled. The winners had early points by Craig Hannifan and Evan Sheehan (free).

Luke Philpott opened Duhallow’s account with a free. The City side continued to do well and some excellent points by Evan Sheehan ‘65, and Craig Hannafin opened up a lead 0-6 to 0-1.

Good play for Duhallow by Daniel O’Connell led to a Sean Howard point. Kelvin Forde added a point with both sides exchanging points as Na Piarsaigh led 0-10 to 0-5. Late points by Tomas Walsh and Luke Philpott cut the lead at the break to seven points 0-14 to 0-7.

On the resumption Barry Kenneally made some good saves for Duhallow. Evan Sheehan pointed for Na Piarsaigh with Daniel O’Connell and Tomas Walsh with points closing the gap 0-15 to 0-9.

Aided by the wind in this half the Duhallow charge continued. They added a point by Daniel O’Connell with Luke Philpott and Evan O’Sullivan following with points by the 44th minute 0-15 to 0-12.

Na Piarsaigh struck for what proved to be the crucial score when the hard working Dan Gunning set up Evan Sheehan for a well taken goal from a tight angle 1-15 to 0-12.

Duhallow regrouped again and Jack Guiney pointed from long range with Cathal Browne pointing in the 54th minute 1-15 to 0-15. Duhallow had a goal chance in the closing minutes but it was slightly off target. In the closing minutes Evan Sheehan pointed two frees ensuring his side a place in the next round against Midleton this Friday night.

NA PIARSAIGH: L O’Donovan, L Murphy, K Power, A Higgins, G Healy, J Morrissey 0-1, C O’Flynn 0-2, C Hannafin 0-2, D Gunning, K Moynihan, C O’Sullivan 0-2, K Forde 0-1, E Sheehan 1-9 (0-5f, 0-2 ‘65’s) C O’Connell, D Maguire Sub: C Murphy for C O’Sullivan

DUHALLOW: B Kenneally (Kanturk) K Buttimer Croke Rovers) J Murphy (Dromtarriffe) A Browne (Newmarket) D Kiely (Millstreet) P Walsh (Kanturk) L Cashman (do) J Guiney 0-1 (Newmarket) C Coughlan (Banteer) D O’Connell 0-2 (Kanturk) R Walsh (do) E O’Sullivan 0-1 (Croke Rovers) T Walsh 0-3 (Millstreet) L Philpott 0-5f (Banteer) S Howard 0-1 (Dromtarriffe) Subs: C Browne 0-1 (Newmarket) for S Howard, P Browne (do) for L Cashman, C Crowley (do for L Philpott

REFEREE: Dave Farrell (Mitchelstown)