Duhallow U-21s falter to dominant second half display from Douglas
Douglas 2-15 Duhallow 0-10
in the aftermath of conceding an early goal. At various stages, the divisional men reacted bravely to a number of bursts by the victors before a physically stronger Douglas made the pressure count on the changeover.
From the outset, Douglas laid down a marker, a fine piece of skill allowed Niall Harnett give the city hopefuls the ideal start. Steadily Duhallow arrived at the pace of the proceedings, close to a goal with Douglas ‘keeper Donal Maher producing two splendid saves from Ryan Walsh and Brandon Murphy in quick succession.
Still Douglas remained to the fore with points registered by Harnett and Joseph Harte. Duhallow managed to gain a spell of dominance, helped by the positive play of Tim Healy, Conor O’Callaghan and Paddy Browne.
And with Walsh, Cathal Browne and Danny Buckley creating inroads going forward to shoot well struck points that helped narrow the arrears 1-6 to 0-7 at the break. The trend of the game took a firm direction in favour of Douglas on the restart with Brian O’Neill, Brian Hartnett, Brendan Powter and James Holland growing into the game.
Wayward shooting impacted on Duhallow with scoring opportunities passed up from both play and placed balls. Their cause wasn’t helped on losing substitute Brian O’Sullivan as Douglas made possession count, typified by a second Harnett goal, again weaving his way past defended to fire home a beauty.
Duhallow answered on points to Buckley and Walsh yer Douglas maintained the upperhand, late points from Joseph Harte, Cian Balwin and Daniel Harte confirmed a quarter final meeting against Sarsfields.
DOUGLAS: D Maher; S McGrath, N Walsh, T O’Sullivan; B O’Neill, B Hartnett, B Powter 0-1; J Holland 0-1, C Baldwin 0-2; B O’Connor, D Harte 0-1, N Hartnett 2-1, C O’Donovan, J Harte 0-6 (5f), A O’Connell 0-1. Subs: D Murphy for C O’Donovan, B Turnbull 0-2 for A O’Connell, C O’Donoughue for B O’Connor.
DUHALLOW: B Kenneally (Kanturk); C Buttimer (Kilbrin), C Coughlan (Banteer), T Healy (Millstreet); D O’Donoughue (Kanturk), C O’Callaghan (Dromtariffe), P Browne (Newmarket); R Walsh (Kanturk) 0-5 (3f), N Flahive (Millstreet); C Crowley (Newmarket), C Browne (Newmarket) 0-1, E Murphy (Dromtariffe); D Buckley (Millstreet) 0-4, N Linehan (Meelin), B Murphy (Dromtariffe). Subs: B O’Sullivan (Kanturk) for C Coughlan, J Curtin (Meelin) for N Flahive, D Murphy (Castlemagner) for C Browne.
REFEREE: C O’Regan (Ballyhea)