Duffry have a bit extra
DUFFRY ROVERS 3-13 BALLYGARRETT 1-17 (AET)
DUFFRY ROVERS overcame the stiffest of contests imaginable as they came from behind in extra-time to eventually see off a rousing Ballygarrett challenge in this hugely entertaining Top Oil Intermediate ‘A’ hurling championship quarter-final in Blackwater on Saturday.
In extraordinary fashion, the Duffry got the perfect start thanks to two early goals from Gavin Watchorn and Alan O’Neill, and with O’Neill, Robert Frayne and Liam Pender in fine form, they held an eight-point lead after ten minutes.
Despite the gap, Ballygarrett were actually matching their opponents in most areas of the field and began to chip away at the lead, with Stephen Redmond, Pat Naughter and Jack Hobbs finding the range between periods of play that were packed with real championship bite.
The eventual winners held a five-point advantage at the break after Jack Hobbs swapped scores with Liam Pender and Robert Frayne.
One sensed that Ballygarrett had not yet produced their best, and they came flying into the action in convincing style in an even more lively second period.
After Liam Pender pointed a free two minutes after the resumption, his side didn’t score again for 21 minutes as Ballygarrett completely dominated proceedings with an inspiring performance.
Stephen Redmond and Pat Naughter were getting through Trojan work around the middle, but the real star of the show was Jack Hobbs who hit 1-4 in eleven minutes, including three deadly-accurate frees, to put his side one ahead as the third quarter closed in.
Colm Kennelly made it a twopoint game with ten minutes remaining with a superb long-range effort, and it looked like the Duffry’s year might be over.
But, after a long delivery hit the crossbar, Johnny Flynn-O’Connor was on had to finish to the net to swing things in their favour.
Hobbs replied with two frees before Liam Pender hit a free at the death to level matters at 1-14 to 3-8.
Hobbs hit two quick points in the first period of extra-time, leaving the Duffry with it all to do as the second period began.
But they put in a savage ten-minute performance and, with Alan O’Neill, Liam Pender and Johnny Flynn-O’Connor all finding the range, they secured the win in a manner that will surely stand to them as they go into the last four.
Duffry Rovers: Stephen Watchorn; James Nolan, Craig Casey, Donie Doyle; Cathal Clince (0-1 free), Matthew O’Connor, Liam Pender (0-5 frees); Johnny Flynn-O’Connor (1-2), Donie O’Connor; Cian Fitzhenry, Robert Frayne (0-2), Joe Coleman; Gavin Watchorn (1-0), Thomas Dunne, Alan O’Neill (1-3). Subs. - Eamonn Doyle for Coleman (53), Colm Redmond for T. Dunne (60), Feargal Kenny for G. Watchorn (69).
Ballygarrett: Shane Quinn; Eddie Redmond, Seamus Doyle, Tom Sinnott; Brian O’Connor, Darren Morris, Colm Kennelly (0-1); Seán O’Brien, Stephen Redmond (0-3, 1 free); Cormac Moore, Patrick Naughter (0-1), Jimmy Murphy; Eoin Corcoran, Jack Hobbs (1-12, 0-7 frees), Killian Doyle. Subs. - Brendan Corcoran for E. Corcoran (40), John Doyle for O’Brien (58), Adam Fleming for Murphy (60), Evan Dunbar for K. Doyle (60).
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Blackwater).