Ballygarrett too sharp for depleted Éire Óg
ÉIRE ÓG 0-12 BALLYGARRETT (WX) 1-14
The second quarter of the game was where the Ballygarrett men drove some distance between the sides. Éire Óg took a brief two-point lead in the 10th minute thanks to their stand-out player, James ‘Pooch’ Cranley, at corner-forward.
However, five points from Hobbs, singles from Billy Conroy and Patrick Naughter, and the game’s only goal from Oisin Dunbar left the visitors in a commanding position at 1-8 to 0-5 at the break.
A brief rally early in the second half brought Éire Óg back to within a score of the Wexford men at 1-8 to 0-8, Cranley with two frees and Kristin Flynn with a class effort from play.
But Ballygarrett possessed a finer hurling ability in most areas of the field and points from Hobbs (three, two frees), Patrick Naughter (two), and a single from midfielder Colm Kennelly left the visitors running out convincing winners in their opening Division 3, Group 4 clash.
Lots to improve on for the Éire Óg men, but the basic ingredients are there without a doubt.
Scorers - Éire Óg Greystones: James Cranley 0-9 (7f, 2 65), Kristin Flynn 0-1, Martin Joyce 0-1, Michael Walsh 0-1.
Ballygarrett Realt na Mara: Jack Hobbs 0-9 (6f, 1 65), Patrick Naughter 0-3, Oisin Dunbar 1-0, Colm Kennelly 0-1.
Dan O’Neill; Shaun Hughes, Daniel O’Connor, Brian Lawless; Kristin Flynn, Ger Whyte, Martin Joyce; Leon Browne, Sean Lawless; Gavin Parslow, Michael Walsh, Danny Nolan; Eoin Dorgan, Andrew Walsh, James Cranley. Sub: Shane Mulford for E Dorgan (45min).
Shane Quinn; Eddie Redmond, Darren Norris, Philip Doyle; Brian O’Connor, John Doyle, Tom Sinnott; Colm Kennelly, Cormac Moore; Brendan Corcoran, Patrick Naughter, Billy Conroy; Jimmy Murphy, Jack Hobbs, Oisin Dunbar. Subs: Killian Doyle for O Dunbar (51min), Johnny Sinnott for C Moore (60min). Con Keddy (Kilcoole)