Duhallow challenge Midleton for County Premier U14 title
DUHALLOW attempt to break new ground on Saturday, seeking a first time victory in the County Rebel Og Premier 1 U-14 Hurling Championship final against Midleton.
During the past 15 years, some terrific work at underage level has brought Duhallow hurling into focus, confirmed on a significant input into the 2014 county senior side. And the next generation may well follow suit, given a winning sequence by this U-14 side.
Putting together a panel has taken time, dedication and commitment by team management and players, weekly get togethers and camps over the winter months in Banteer are reaping fruitition.
The biggest test comes on Saturday, Duhallow coming up against the most successful club in Cork hurling of recent times Midleton.
Enroute, both sides impressed, Duhallow getting the better of Blackrock, Mallow in a ten goal thriller before securing a comfortable win over Na Piarsaigh in the semi final. Likewise, Midleton caught the eye on emerging good value for wins over Sarsfields and Valley Rovers.
Little or nothing is expected to separate the sides yet if Duhallow play to the maximum of their potential, they are capable of overcoming the stern challenge of the Midleton boys. The Duhallow panel is Luke Philpott. (Banteer), Neil Flahive (Millstreet), Conor O’Callaghan (Dromtariffe), Neil O’Connor (Cuchullains), Daniel O’Mahoney (Millstreet), Liam Cashman (Croke Rovers), Paddy Browne (Newmarket), Shane Curtin (Croke Rovers), Conor O’Donoghue (Cuchullains), Jerry O’Sullivan (Dromtariffe), Darra O’Sullivan (Croke Rovers), Cian Crowley (Newmarket), Kevin O’Connor (St Marks), Tomás Howard (Dromtariffe), Daniel O’Connell (Cuchullains), Alan Coughlan (Banteer), Martin McSweeney (Banteer), NeilusLehane (St Marks), Thomas O’Callaghan (St Marks), Caine Kiely (Banteer), Josh O’Keeffe (Newmarket), Tommy Nunan (St Marks), Shane McAulliffe (Banteer), Ben Newman (Newmarket), Callum O’Shaughnessy (Banteer), Eoin Guiney (Cuchullains). COUNTY PREMIER U14 HC
SEMI-FINAL Duhallow 2-18 Na Piarsaigh 0-3 All plain sailing for Duhallow on easily overcoming Na Piarsaigh in the County Premier U14 Hurling Championship semi final in Buttevant last Saturday.
Nobody could quibble with the outcome, Duhallow's touch slick, reaction fast and their pursuit of work and responsibility vastly superior to the city rivals. Victory sets up Duhallow a place in the decider where only a determined effort will only suffice to better a skilful Midleton side.
Duhallow dominated the key exchanges, not a weak link evident under the key guidance of Conor O'Callaghan, Paddy Browne, Liam Cashman, Shane Curtin and Conor O’Donoughue. In attack, the points flowed from all angles with Tomás Howard unerring from play and placed balls that contributed to Duhallow enjoying a 0-12 to 0-1 interval advantage.
Na Piarsaigh restarted with an encouraging point to Daire Coniry yet there was no relenting to Duhallow's game, confirmed on a pair of goals netted by Daniel O'Connell. DUHALLOW: L Philpott (Banteer); N Flahive (Millstreet), C O’Callaghan (Dromtariffe), N O’Connor (Cuchulainns); P Browne (Newmarket) 0-1, L Cashman (Croke Rovers) 0-1, D O’Mahony (Millstreet); S Curtin (Croke Rovers) 0-1, C O’Donoughue (Cuchulainns) 0-1; T Howard (Dromtariffe) 0-10, D O’Connell (Cuchulainns) 2-2, K O’Connor (St. Marks) 0-2; J O’Sullivan (Dromtariffe), M McSweeney (Banteer), C Crowley (Newmarket). Subs. T Noonan (St. Marks), N Lehane (do), J O’Keeffe (Newmarket), C Kiely (Banteer).