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HWH-BUNCLODY SHELMALIERS 2-17 0-5
HWH-BUNCLODY announced themselves as live contenders for the Greenstar Under-20 football Division 1 championship honours when impressively defeating Shelmaliers by 2-17 to 0-5 in Saturday’s one-sided county semi-final at a foggy and cold Bunclody.
With centre-back John Dunne orchestrating things from deep, Martin O’Connor a willing and able outlet at midfield, and Eoin Kelly in top notch form up front, the locals hardly put a foot wrong as they set up a meeting against either St. Martin’s or Sarsfields.
Oddly, not every pass stuck early on, but their approach was generally inventive and forward orientated and certainly more cohesive compared to their out of sorts opponents.
Despite Liam Rockett kicking an outstanding opener for Shelmaliers after only a minute, Bunclody responded with a goal 30 seconds later when Eoin Kelly applied a palmed finish to Peadair Cowman’s floater towards the back post.
Kelly tagged on a free soon after, Eddie Black screwed over neatly from play, Kelly notched another after Stephen Kavanagh swooped in to win a kick-out, while Kelly’s shot was always rising as he pointed on 14 minutes to make it 1-5 to 0-1.
Kelly also forced the turnover for Martin O’Connor to point, while the latter demonstrated some neat control when collecting Josh Martin’s tee up and bouncing low to the net (2-6 to 0-1).
Eddie Black added a point on 20 minutes, and Cathal Doyle poked over as well, while Ross Banville ended Shelmaliers’ barren spell on 25 minutes.
Adam Howlin pulled off a good save with his legs to prevent Stephen Kavanagh from hitting the net, but Kelly eventually knocked over a free to make it 2-9 to 0-3 at half-time.
The winners hit six wides after the break, but weren’t put under any pressure by the Over The Water lads, who only registered twice more before the end.
Kelly converted another free after Doyle was collared, although Rockett supplied a fine response for Shelmaliers.
A brace from Kelly was followed by points from Black and Peadair Cowman as the gap reached a game-high 16 points.
Craig Parker split the posts from a free, but the hosts finished in style when adding the last three points as Kelly, John Dunne (free) and wing-back Byron Byrne completed an eye-catching night’s work for the Carlow border contenders.
HWH-Bunclody: Jack Regan; Paddy Dunbar, Adam Hogan, Jamie Kavanagh; Byron Byrne (0-1), John Dunne (0-1 free), Ciarán Kavanagh; Peadair Cowman (0-1), Martin O’Connor (1-1); Stephen Kavanagh, Josh Martin, Eddie Black (0-3); Cathal Doyle (0-1), Eoin Kelly (1-9, 0-5 frees), Tadhg Kelly. Subs. - Brandon Kavanagh for T. Kelly (51), John McCormack for S. Kavanagh (51), Lee Conroy for Doyle (57), Aidan Mahon for C. Kavanagh (57), Cathal Dunbar for Martin (60).
Shelmaliers: Adam Howlin; Hugh Peter Manley, Dan Campbell, Adam Hearne; Aaron Doyle, Craig Parker (0-1 free), Thomas O’Connor; Seán Keane-Carroll, Chris Cowman; Conor Hearne, Aaron O’Neill, Ross Banville (0-1); Kyle Roche, Liam Rockett (capt., 0-3), Evan Carr. Subs. - James Doyle for A.Doyle (49), Adam Kelly for O’Connor (49), Darragh Howlin for Cowman (55).
Referee: Paddy Brady (Réalt naMara).