Avondhu hurlers suffer heavy defeat
THE biggest shock in the County SHC in many years was Carbery’s win over Avondhu on Sunday in Coachford. From an Avondhu point of view it was the worst turnout since they took part in this competition back in the 40s.
It is hard to credit that with Mallow, Fermoy, Kilworth and Charleville leading teams in the County Premier IHC along with Kildorrery and Milford in Intermediate grade and with some very good Junior A and Junior B clubs throughout the division that the selectors should be left with just 15 players going into the dressing room on Sunday prior to a county championship game.
Early exchanges were close with the sides level 0-1, 0-2, 0-3 and 0-4 each. They got on top in midfield where Cian O’Donovan and Jerry McCarthy excelled. Points by Gearoid O’Donovan, Cian O’Donovan and Jerry McCarthy in quick succession opened up a lead 0-7 to 0- 4.
Good play by Patrick Crowley led to Sean O’Donoghue cutting through on goal only to be denied by a great save by Patrick O’Connor with the rebound going out for a ‘65 that Jerry McCarthy converted.
Avondhu got a point back when Kieran Morrisson was fouled and Andrew Cagney pointed the free. By the 22nd minute the winners led 0-10 to 0- 5. The West Cork side tagged on a series of points and moved double scores clear when Diarmuid O’Donovan goaled 1-13 to 0- 8.
Avondhu lost Chris Buckley through injury and there was no replacement till half time when Damian Buckley a spectator at the game was drafted in and played very well. At half time Carbery were 1-15 to 0-10 clear.
Jerry McCarthy pointed on the resumption with Michael Keohane adding a point. Shane Coleman pointed for Avondhu with Kieran Morrisson with a point making it 1-18 to 0-12.
Avondhu hit their best patch and points by Kieran Curtin free and Shane Coleman showed signs of a recovery. Entering the final quarter Jerry McCarthy pointed another free and opened up a lead of 1-19 to 0- 14.
A long delivery by Mark Heffernan found Brian O’Sullivan who was fouled and a penalty awarded. Andrew Cagney’s powerful shot was expertly saved by Denis Dullea with the rebound going out for a ‘65.
A goal at that stage would have cut the lead to five points. Cagney pointed the ‘65. Good play for the winners by Michael Keohane led to a fine point by Conor McCarthy.
Avondhu battled hard they had points by Damian Buckley and Kieran Morrisson 1-20 to 0- 17. They were unable to get any closer and it was Carbery who finished very strong.
They had points by Gearoid and Diarmuid O’Donovan with Jerry McCarthy with a point opening up a lead 1-23 to 0-17.
In the closing moments Diarmuid O’Donovan had his second goal that saw Carbery emerge winners by a 12 point margin in the end.
Avondhu a couple of weeks to prepare for their Round 2B clash with Bride Rovers. Carbery will await the winner of Na Piarsaigh/ Newtownshandrum in Round 2A.