Aghabullogue through to county U-21 ‘B’ final at Buttevant’s expense

Aghabullogue 3-11 Buttevant 2-11

AGHABULLOGUE are through to a Co final meeting with Newcestown following their close but deserved win over Buttevant in the county semi-final at Pairc Ui Rinn on Sunday. It was a closely contested game with the winners doing very well in the last quarter.

David Thompson opened the scoring for Aghabullogue. Buttevant replied when Mark Lenahan soloed through and pointed. Kevin Lenahan pointed from a free and from play as the Avondhu side moved 0-3 to 0-1 clear after nine minutes.

Buttevant had a goal by Mark Lenahan after good combined play by Shane O’Callaghan, Kevin Lenahan, John O’Neill, Jamie Copse and Denis O’Sullivan. Aghabullogue replied with a goal by Padraigh O’Sullivan. David Thompson followed with a point.

In the 15th minute the sides were level 1-3 each when Tadhg Bradley kicked over. Niall Barry-Murphy gave the winners the lead after a three-man attack. They forced a penalty in the 19th minute when Tadhg Bradley was fouled.

David Thompson cooly dispatched the penalty edging his side 2-4 to 1-3 clear. Kevin Lenahan pointed two long range frees. Good play by Jack Murphy led to a fine point by Niall Barry-Murphy.

Both sides missed a few chances. In the 26th minute Buttevant forced a ‘45’. Diarmuid Doody’s well taken ‘45 was punched to the net by Mark O’Connell as they sides were deadlocked at 2-5 each. In injury time Buttevant added two points by Kevin Lenahan that gave them a lead at the break 2-7 to 2-5.

Buttevant did well early on the resumption. Kevin and Mark Lenahan had a point each as they moved four points clear. The Avondhu side were denied a good goal scoring chance when John O’Neill put Mark O’Connell through only to be denied by the crossbar.

Aghabullogue did well in the last quarter. They moved Conor Smith to midfield. Paul Ring, Shane Tarrant, Jack Murphy, David Thompson and Niall Barry Murphy came very strong.

A series of fine points by David Thompson (3) and Sean O’Connell had them deadlocked 2-9 each by the 50th minute. Thompson edged the Muskerry side two points clear from two frees. The winners sealed their victory with a 56th minute goal by Keelan O’Sullivan 3-11 to 2- 9. Buttevant never gave up. They had late points by Denis O’Sullivan and Kevin Lenahan.

The loss of two key players Michael O’Neill and Ryan Fowley through injury for Buttevant was just too much. Aghabullogue were also short two players they hope they will have for the county final. AGHABULLOGUE: D Lane, K Barry Murphy, C Smith, T Long, P Dilworth, P Ring, J Murphy, S Tarrant, S O’Connell 0-1f, A Healy, N Barry-Murphy 0-2, P O’Sullivan 1-0, J Oldham, D Thompson 1-7 (0-4f, 1-0 pen), T Bradley 0-1. Subs: K O’Sullivan 1-0 for J Oldam, C Dineen for A Healy, J Olden for P O’Sullivan.

BUTTEVANT: D Doody, N O’Riordan, J O’Riordan, C Cremin, G Carey, M Walsh, B Flynn, K Lenahan 0-8 (5f), N Crowley, M Lenahan 1-2, J O’Neill, S O’Callaghan, D O’Sullivan 0-1, J Copps, M O’Connell 1-0. Sub: J O’Brien for C Cremin (inj)

REFEREE: Alan O’Connor (Ballygarvan)

DOUGLAS rolled up their sleeves during the second half to overcome Duhallow in Round 3 to the County Premier 1 U-21 Hurling Championship at the Pairc Uí Rinn 4G. As the game aged, the city side hurled with a power and momentum not seen as much during the opening spell.

In fairness to Duhallow, they gave it their best shot and competed really well