Dunne limps off in loss
A STRONG second-half with the breeze propelled Gusserane past Davidstown-Courtnacuddy to a solid opening victory in Group A of the Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior football championship in Cushinstown on Sunday.
After missing out on opening their campaign against the Shamrocks a week earlier, this was new territory for last season’s Junior ‘A’ champions, but they looked ready for the challenge with a strong defensive showing in the first-half and clinical display of shooting in the second.
Davidstown-Courtnacuddy were far more competitive than they were against a rampant Oylegate-Glenbrien in their opener but, apart from an early burst from Pádraig Loughlin, they were heavily reliant on the quality of youngster James Kelly for scores.
What will be of a worry, not only to Davidstown-Courtnacuddy, but also to Davy Fitzgerald, was the injury sustained by David Dunne in the last ten minutes.
The county hurler limped off with his sock rolled down after receiving treatment to the ankle area.
Gusserane would have been delighted to be level at 0-4 each at the break after a fairly uneventful first-half.
Darragh Doyle scored a couple of fine points and Eoin Codd broke from deep to register as they made light of playing into the breeze.
Within five minutes of the restart Gusserane struck a decisive blow.
There was an element of luck to the opening goal, as Tom Foran’s long-range strike came down off the bar and Alan Myler was on hand to force it home from close range.
Despite a couple of Kelly points, Martin Fitzharris hit his stride at the other end and Gusserane moved clear.
The clinching goal came with twelve minutes left when Darragh Doyle shot from deep. It struck the bar, then the back of goalkeeper Stephen Dunbar, and rolled into the net to compound Davidstown-Courtnacuddy’s misery.
Gusserane: Brian Hennessy; Eoghan Foran, Paul Wall, Robert Browne; Eoin Codd (0-1), Gary O’Grady (capt.), Jack Culleton; Darragh Doyle (1-3), Ciarán Conway; Seán O’Connor (0-1), Jamie Cooney, Tom Breen (0-1); Martin Fitzharris (0-3), Tom Foran (0-1), Alan Myler (1-1, 0-1 free). Sub. - Cathal Somers for Breen (44).
Davidstown-Courtnacuddy: Stephen Dunbar; Barry Nolan, Kevin Keane, Donal O’Shea; Stephen Kennedy, Philip Murphy, Danny Delaney; David Dunne (capt.), Stephen Sheridan; Pádraig Loughlin (0-2), James Kelly (0-5, 2 frees), Billy Martin; Alan Hickey, Andrew Furlong, Vinny O’Brien. Subs. - Mark Murphy for Furlong (31), T.J. Owens for S. Kennedy, inj. (32), Seán Cooper for Martin (36), Ryan Murray for O’Brien (49), Kieran McCabe for Dunne, inj. (55).
Referee: Bob Treacy (Clongeen).