Goals galore in Monageer
Hosts shine in scoring feast
M’GEER-B’VOGUE 7-15 GUSSERANE 3-12
IN THE midst of a the heatwave, Monageer-Boolavogue and Gusserane served up a blizzard of ten goals as the Enniscorthy District side progressed to the final of the All-County Hurling League Division 5 on Sunday.
The home side found the net behind luckless Micheál Ryan seven times as they qualified to meet neighbours Oulart-The Ballagh in the decider with 15 points to spare.
However, it was the visitors who started the goal rush, courtesy of centre-forward Gavin Sheehan who came within a whisker of a hat-trick of majors within ten minutes of throw-in.
The free-ranging Gusserane number 11 started the match by drawing a flying save from Niall Finn, forcing the ‘65 which he batted over for the opening point.
Granted, Peter Mernagh retaliated promptly with a mishit shot which spun its way past netminder Ryan in a cloud of dust.
But then Martin Fitzharris paved the way for Sheehan to beat Finn at the second time of asking and he added his second goal on ten minutes when breaking ball fell his way.
As Kevin O’Donohoe added a couple of beautifully-struck points from deep, the O’Rahilly’s were an encouraging 2-4 to 2-1 to the good.
That proved to be the high point of their evening as they were then forced on to the defensive by a side of which good things are expected by the Monageer-Boolavogue supporters.
While the scores dried up at the other end - their rivals experienced a drought which lasted for more than a quarter of an hour - they set about turning the tables.
Twinkle-toed corner-forward David Mernagh was at the heart of the turnaround, setting up Colm O’Loughlin for a goal and netting one on his own account as O’Loughlin returned the favour.
The men in red led by 3-8 to 2-7 at half-time.
After the break, their ability to pick off the goals ensured that the result was never in serious doubt, with substitute Matthew Dunne on the mark within seconds of being introduced.
He was followed to the net by Colm O’Loughlin and David Mernagh, each bagging their second.
Though Sheehan finally completed his hat-trick for Gusserane, the match concluded with Dean Fenlon snaking his way to the net for the victors.
And a couple of frees from the influential Peter Mernagh also put a lop-sided look on the final scoreline.
Monageer-Boolavogue: Niall Finn; Arran Breslin, Tomás O’Leary, Seán O’Leary; Seán McCabe, Paddy Breen, Shane Kehoe; Damien Fenlon, Dean Fenlon (1-1); Mark Walsh, Colm O’Loughlin (2-2), Pádraig Walsh; Peter Mernagh (1-7, 0-3 frees, 0-2 ‘65s), Brian O’Loughlin (0-3), David Mernagh (2-0). Subs. - Matthew Dunne (1-2) for P. Walsh (30), Patrick Walsh for Breslin (44), Morgan Gahan for Damien Fenlon (44), Colin Hawkins for C. O’Loughlin (57).
Gusserane: Micheál Ryan; Eoghan Foran, Kenneth Cahill, Jack O’Connor; James Redmond, Liam Dillon, Donal Kiely; Adrian Redmond (0-2), Páraic Conway; Kevin O’Donohoe (0-3), Gavin Sheehan (3-5, 0-4 frees, 0-1 ‘65), Martin Fitzharris; Eoin Codd, Shane Cullen, Tom Foran (0-1). Subs. - John Stafford for Cullen (17), Seamus Ryan (0-1) for Codd (30), Robert Browne for J. Redmond (38).
Referee: Francis Neville (Shelmaliers).