‘Bosco’ puts on a show as Reds crush Rocks

GLENEALY ARKLOW ROCKS 3-25 1-08

THE second Intermediate Hurling Championship clash of the day in Aughrim last Sunday saw Glenealy take on Arklow Rock Parnells.

From the outset Glenealy took control of this game in a swashbuckling manner, and this was epitomised by the performance of Jonathan ‘Bosco’ O’Neill in particular who really put on an exhibition of all facets of the game.

The first goal of the game came in the opening 10 minutes. A high ball in to the full-forward line from Jonathan O’Neill Jr. was contested by both Shane Keogh and James Manley as well as their respective markers.

The sliotar beat all four players and, with only the keeper left in the square, it was John Manley who reacted quickest to get in behind and rifle home a bullet into the net from the ground.

The goal seemed to wake Arklow Rocks up somewhat, as Patrick Mellon responded with a fine point.

However, even at this early stage, it always looked as though Glenealy would only stretch their lead.

And this expectation quickly became a reality with another goal being conjured out of nothing.

A free in midfield was taken quickly by Jonathan O’Neill, lofted in to the full forward line. What followed was a masterclass in combination play.

Alan Conyard knocked the sliotar down to John Manley with his hurl.

Manley, in turn, drew in two defenders before getting his head up and deftly handpassing out to Shane Keogh who unleashed a ferocious strike to find the back of the net.

Despite falling so far behind so early in the game, the Arklow Rocks did not let their heads drop and they were rewarded for this late in the second half when a flurry of scores came their way.

A fine point for Kevin O’Reilly, which came on the back of a pinpoint pass from Jason Redmond, came after Arklow Rocks had raised a green flag of their own.

A free from wide on the right wing was dropped in by Patrick Mellon and the trajectory of the ball caught out attackers and defenders alike to drop into the back of the net.

Yet even after this stroke of luck, the Rocks were left facing a mountain to climb in the second half as they went in at the break trailing by a scoreline of 2-14 to 1-06.

Despite this, Arklow started the second period the brighter of the two sides.

The opening score of the half came from Sean Pierce before his side saw a goal chance go abegging.

A long ball forward broke to the edge of the square, sitting up perfectly for Philip Byrne to have a swing at it.

Byrne was unfortunate to see his goalbound effort halted by his own team-mate who had fallen competing for the initial ball in.

Glenealy immediately counter-attacked and Jonathan O’ Neill Jr. split the posts to nip any potential Arklow Rocks fightback in the bud.

From this point onward Glenealy powered on and never really looked back, adding a further two goals.

The first of these, and third Glenealy goal of the day, came when Cian Staunton saw his initial effort blocked.

The rebound fell for Gary Hughes but the tricky wing forward was desperately unlucky to see his own shot for goal come back off the post.

Incredibly, the sliotar fell kindly for Cian Staunton to have a second bite at the cherry and on this occasion the second half substitute made no mistake, hammering home past Arklow goalkeeper Keith Barnes.

There was still time left for Hughes to find the net himself when he received the ball with his back to goal before turning, throwing a delightful shimmy to beat a second defender and finishing with ease to cap off what was an impressive showing from the young gun.

In fact, Hughes finished the game with 1-10 to his name, rounding off a successful weekend for himself after he was introduced as a second half substitute against Éire Óg the previous day.

The result leaves Glenealy on top of the IHC standings while Arklow Rock Parnells are yet to get off the mark in this year’s competition.

Scorers - Glenealy: Scorers: James Manley 1-03, Alan Conyard 1-01, Gary Hughes 1-10(0-04f), Shane Keogh 0-01, Jonathon O’ Neill 0-03(0-01f, 0-01 65), Paul O’ Brien 0-02, Jonathon O’ Neill Jr. 0-02, Aaron Meade 0-03

Arklow Rock Parnells: Patrick Mellon 1-05 (0-01p), Jason Redmond 0-01(0-01 65), Kevin O’ Reilly 0-01, Sean Pierce 0-01.

Glenealy: Cormac Geraghty, Colm O’Neill, M A O’Neill, Stefan O’ Brien, Matthew Traynor, Wesley Manning, Tony Doyle, Jonathan O‘Neill, Jonathan O’Neill Jr., Gary Hughes, Paul O’Brien, Aaron Meade, Shane Keogh, James Manley, Alan Conyard. Subs: Eoin O’Neill, Robert Browne, Glen O’Gorman, Ronan Manley, Cian Staunton.

Arklow Rock Parnells: Keith Barnes, Kevin O’ Reilly, John Furlong, Martin Gilbert, Eamon Doyle, Terry Kinsella, Conor Doyle, Patrick Mellon, Cormac Whitmore, Thomas Byrne, Jason Redmond, James Dignam, Philip Byrne, Sean Pierce, Chris Kavanagh. Subs: Charlie Monaghan.

Referee: Jimmy Kelly (Knockananna)