Doyle delivers as Tomacork triumph
TOMACORK 5-14 AVONDALE PARNELLS 2-6
TOMACORK turned in a superb second half performance to blow away the Avondale Parnells challenge in the under-17 B hurling final at Pearse’s Park on Saturday afternoon last.
A stunning 4-04 from the talented corner-forward John Doyle was the most noteworthy aspect of the Tomacork scoring, while Shane Mellon left nothing on the field for Avondale Parnells as he bagged an impressive 1-06 over the course of the game.
The game was alive and well at the break, with Tomacork leading by 2-04 to 0-05 after what was a very entertaining half of hurling. Tomacork’s goals had arrived before the 15th minute mark and came from John Doyle and his colleague at full-forward, Paudie McGing.
The potential threat was very evident from the Tomacork inside line and with a supply route populated with hurlers like Adam Hughes, John Young, Eoin Kavanagh and James McGing, the danger of further goals was very real.
However, Sean Somers and TJ Copeland and their colleagues battled hard all day against a very handy inside line and, while they will be disappointed with the end result, they should realise that with more hurling and more work they will improve and have bright futures in the game.
Shane Mellon was the Avondale Parnells only scorer in the first half with Cian Moules and Conor Wafer proving very capable in the Tomacork backline.
The Carnew and Coolboy combined outfit had points from Adam Hughes (free), Paudie McGing (free) and two from John Doyle (one free).
The last thing Avondale Parnells wanted was to concede a goal after the break but, alas, they were rocked by two majors, both from John Doyle who also added a point to essentially put the game beyond the Avondale and Arklow Rocks combination.
Shane Mellon would not throw in the towel, however, and he added a quick 1-01, the goal from a penalty, but Tomacork would put the boot down for the next 15 minutes with another John Doyle goal and a bundle of points before Avondale Parnells clocked up their last score which was a fine goal from substitute PJ O’Connor.
Tomacork’s Gavin Murray concluded the scoring on what was a very impressive second half display from a talented outfit.
Worryingly, however, all those young players who do not qualify for under-17 next season must now make the transition to adult hurling. One young hurler lamented that at the under-17 level he had only five games of hurling with his club in 2017 and that he must now enter adult ranks at whatever level he is best suited or selected for.
Scorers – Tomacork: John Doyle 4-04 (2f), Adam Hughes 0-04 (3f, 1 65), Paudie McGing 1-03 (3f), Eoin Kavanagh 0-01, Gavin Murray 0-01 (f).
Avondale Parnells: Shane Mellon 1-06 (3f, 1p), PJ O’Connor 1-00.
Thomas Collins; Ciaron O’Keeffe, Cian Moules, Conor Wafer; Ryan Guilfoyle, James McGing, John Young; Eoin Kavanagh, Adam Hughes; Caoimhín Rosen, Owen Kavanagh, Owen Young; Cormac Redmond, Paudie McGing, John Doyle. Subs: Gavin Murray for C Rosen.
Daniel Reilly; TJ Copeland, Sean Somers, Tim Byrne; Des Byrne, Liam Dickenson, Darren Riley; Shane Mellon, Elliot Young; Tom Somers, Dara Walker, Zach Cullen; Dylan Godkin, Connor Jameson, Ryan Bardon. Subs: Torna Mulconroy for T Somers; PJ O’Connor for R Bardon.