Jimmies confirm first spot with handy victory
TOP OIL INTERMEDIATE ‘A’ HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
ST. JAMES’ breezed to top spot and a quarter-final meeting with Rathnure in the Top Oil Intermediate ‘A’ hurling championship with victory over Marshalstown-Castledockrell in Bree on Saturday.
The Ramsgrange men had the look of title favourites about them as they bombarded their rivals with a barrage of points to comfortably take the win to ensure they finish at the summit of Group A.
There was one downside to the victory, with Andrew Walsh receiving his marching orders for retaliating to a sickening pull across the head of brother, Alan, by Michael Kehoe. The Marshalstown-Castledockrell man was, unsurprisingly, sent-off too, while the victim had to be led off the field in a daze.
It was a fairly calm stroll in the park for the winners. Donal Barron’s goal helped them into a 1-5 to 0-1 lead, and that was embellished further with Kevin O’Grady bringing his first-half tally to three.
Despite not scoring in the final ten minutes of the first period, St. James’ led by 1-10 to 0-6 at the interval. Mitch Jordan registered his second point in the 34th minute but otherwise it was all one-way traffic.
Shane Murphy scored four second-half points, as did Mark Molloy, as their side scored twelve in 17 minutes. To give them credit, Marshalstown-Castledockrell kept battling and added late goals from substitutes Colm Quigley and Pat Kinsella.
The late slackening off won’t unduly worry the victors, who meet a Rathnure side which made the last eight by winning just one game. This loss for the Farmleigh club means their season is over.
St. James’: Luke Murphy; Brian Molloy, Jason Barron, Tomás Walsh; Paul Barron, Liam Murphy, David Doyle (0-1); Mark Molloy (0-5), Robbie Barron (0-1); Donal Barron (1-1), Matthew O’Hanlon, Alan Walsh (0-1); Mark Myler (0-1), Shane Murphy (0-8, 5 frees), Kevin O’Grady (0-4). Subs. - Andrew Walsh (0-1) for T. Walsh (31), Greg Doyle for Alan Walsh, inj. (39), Graeme Molloy (0-1) for O’Grady (41), Robert Murphy for P. Barron (47), John Ryan for S. Murphy (52).
Marshalstown-Castledockrell: Darragh Kehoe; Michael Kehoe, David O’Connor, Michael Hughes; Jack Quigley, Joe Kelly, Michael Kelly (0-1 free); P.J. O’Brien, Eoin Bennett (0-6, 5 frees); Mark Kehoe (Milehouse), Michael Morris, Colm Bennett (0-1); Mitch Jordan (0-2), Tomás Bennett, Frank Kelly. Subs. - Colm Quigley (1-0) for J. Kelly (45), Pat Kinsella (1-0) for M. Morris (45), Andrew Quigley for F. Kelly (51), Micheál Bennett for M. Hughes (51), Hughes for O’Brien, inj. (55).
Referee: Dan Crosby (Kilmore).