Leighton leads Avondale to victory over Barndarrig
LEIGHTON O’TOOLE BYRNE gave an exhibition in hurling and a personal tally of 1-6 to prove the difference between two well matched sides in Ballinakill last Saturday morning.
It was Barndarrig who opened the scoring after finding space and slotting over. Leighton then hit three scores on the trot. The first two were frees, the second of which ended up in the net for a goal, the third was an audacious effort off his left-hand side from right on the left touchline.
Avondale’s Shane Kennedy then showed his class with a rampaging solo run into space before clipping a beautiful score to leave Avondale 10-3 ahead.
Barndarrig closed the half strongly though with Ronan Wynne striking three scores in a row to edge them in front 12-10 at half-time.
The second half went score for score in an amazingly competitive contest. Leighton opened the scoring with a free with Benny Williams replying for the blues. Leighton put the Dales back in front with an excellent point over his shoulder from amongst a gaggle of players before a goal for Barndarrig from Hugh Keaney tied everything up at 1-5 a piece with 10 minutes left.
The skills from both sides were excellent with the striking, catch
ing, hooking, blocking and bravery all on show.
Leighton curled over a beautiful free to nudge the Dales ahead however it was short lived as Barndarrig’s Brian Jones showed tremendous speed and poise to cut through the defence and tie things up again.
It was, however, Leighton who would show up as the hero though. Avondale won another free and there was never a doubt that the talisman would strike it over for the one-score victory.
An excellent game from two well matched sides. Barndarrig had excellent performers from goalkeeper Fionan Doyle, Benny Williams and Ronan Wynne who is a very stylish hurler around the
middle third of the field.
Avondale had excellent performers in Shane Kennedy and Tyler O’Neill. Man of the match had to be Leighton O’Toole Byrne whose striking was unbelievable and with 1-6 in a final is one to keep an eye on for the future. AVONDALE: Will Phelan; Tyler O’Neill, Matt Byrne, Harry Cullen; Joe Byrne, Conor Kelly, Bobby Dease; Cameron Byrne, James Turner; Leighton O’Toole Byrne (1-6), Shane Kennedy (0-1), TJ Heffernan; Charlie Cullen, Tiernan Byrne Cahill, Eoghan Doyle
Fionan Doyle; Finn Keaney, Brian Jones (0-2), Hugh Keaney (1-0); Diarmaid Stone, Oisin Doyle, Fainche Stone; Sarah Traynor, Niamh Nolan; Aoibhin Doyle, Ronan Wynne (0-3), DJ Williams; Benny Williams (0-2), Sadhbh Doyle