Duhallow raise their game when required to see off Youghal

WHEN required Duhallow upped their level of performance to record a comfortable six-point victory over Youghal at sunny Fermoy last Sunday.

At times, poor shooting impinged on Duhallow’s game, particularly in the opening half on amassing twelve wides. However, as the game aged, the accuracy improved, the divisional side made it happen through a combination of hard work, clever play and a general sense that they held the capacity to win.

Injuries, exams and unavailability of players saw a new look Duhallow field without nine members of a starting side that incurred a three point defeat to Bishopstown in round 3 last season.

Ahead by five points at the break, Duhallow rode out an early storm upon the restart, conceding a goal to recover and settle into an rhythm that yielded a run of neatly taken scores.

Little separated the pair in the opening exchanges, points swapped by Andrew Joyce and Seán Howard. The nip and tuck affair continued, Darragh O’Connell edged Youghal ahead, Duhallow left to rue missed chances, shooting six wides in as many minutes.

That wayward shooting was broken briefly from a long range Mark Ellis point yet Youghal looked dangerous, they might had goaled only for a timely intervention by Duhallow ‘keeper Anthony Nash to thwart county colleague Bill Cooper.

Duhallow pushed ahead for the first time, centre forward Kevin Tarrant splitting the uprights only for Joyce to reply at the opposite end. The end to end fare continued, Ellis and Brendan Ring swapped points for a deadlocked situation at 0-4 apiece midway through the opening half.

Still Duhallow appeared capable of lifting their game and they did so with Darren Browne and Ellis holding the answers in central defence, Lorcán McLoughlin and Shane Hehir blossomed at midfield. Elsewhere William Murphy covered huge ground away from his listed corner forward berth as Jack Murphy and Seán Howard won good ball out on the wing.

That allowed Duhallow summon up a burst of energy, well taken points recorded by McLoughlin and highly effective full forward Eoin Sheahan. Though Youghal replied with a point by Alan Frahill O’Connor, Duhallow maintained the lions share of possession, confirmed on four consecutive points by McLoughlin, Stephen O’Reilly, Kevin Crenin and Tarrant to help secure a 0-10 to 0-5 advantage at the break.

Youghal drew perfect encouragement direct from the restart, Cooper’s delivery found the perfectly positioned Brendan Ring to net. Still the Duhallow response was swift, Howard on target with back to back points.

At times, Youghal offered plenty of tenacity in a bid to wrestle back the initiative through the encouraging play of Joyce, Frahill O’Connor and Cooper. The latter posted a pair of points that offered encouragement and hopes of a revival.

Still Duhallow held the whiphand, points to the enterprising Sheahan, Howard and Jack Murphy helped build up a 0-17 to 1-7 grip at the three quarter stage. Youghal narrowed the arrears from a Darragh O’Connell flag yet the seasiders were thankful to ‘keeper Richie Cunningham on a fine save from Hehir following a neat build up involving William Murphy that saw the sliothar turned outside the post.

From the resultant placed ball, Howard converted his third 65 to confirm Duhallow held the capacity to respond to any degree of danger. O’Connell did point for Youghal only for Tarrant to repeat the exercise for the divisional side.

To be fair, Youghal never gave up the chase, rewarded in the 59th min on substitute Shane Smiddy batting home a goal. That score put a better complexion on the scoreboard yet Duhallow held the closing say, Howard again obliging from a placed ball.

Tougher tests ahead for both sides in Round 2, Duhallow encounter the winners to Glen Rovers or Sarsfields whilst for Youghal, a win is a must against the losers to Newtownshandrum/Na Piarsaigh if they are to remain in the championship.