Glut of goals help Muskerry hurlers past Duhallow into next round
Muskerry 5-17 Duhallow 1-15
THERE were plenty of scores at Paírc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday evening last where a round 1 game took place in the divisions/colleges section of the senior hurling championship.
Muskerry and Duhallow were the contestants and the game was played in the 4G pitch. The players were full of enthusiasm and Muskerry had a definite edge as they were ahead from beginning to end. They played against the wind in the opening period and they were quickly into their stride. Minors from Kevin Hallissey and Matt Bradley were an early boost to the mid Cork side and a goal from full forward Kevin Murphy in the 9th minute ensured they enjoyed a 1-3 to 0-1 lead.
Jack Murphy and Eamon Brosnan both sent the sliotar between the uprights to lift Duhallow’s morale but Muskerry were quick to reply. Sean Bourke drove the sliotar between the uprights from a free and Ian Barry Murphy slipped inside the Duhallow back line and crashed the sliotar to the net.
There was plenty of movement on the scoreboard as the first half progressed with four Duhallow points during their best period of play but Muskerry clearly had the ability to reply effectively and minors from Ian Barry Murphy, Kevin Hallissey and Matthew Bradley ensured that they continued to have a cushion. The score at the interval read 2-7 to 0-9 in Muskerry’s favour and with the wind to their backs on the resumption they were entitled to feel confident.
The Muskerry mentors were taking no chances however and they decided to introduce formidable figure Peter Kelleher to their full line of attack for the second moiety. The mid Cork side quickly consolidated their position with points from Kevin Hallissey and Matt Bradley (0-2) before Kevin Tarrant got one back for Duhallow and Tómas Howard was on target to reduce the arrears further.
There was real daylight between the sides by the 40th minute however when Peter Kelleher who was now a huge figure in the Muskerry attack as he created many scoring chances for his colleagues. He won possession close to the Duhallow goal and effectively transferred the sliotar to Kevin Hallissey who promptly found the net. Muskerry were well in control following same even though their opponents did manage to get one goal back.
An attempt by the Muskerry cúl baire to find a colleague with a short puck out came unstuck and a penalty was conceded. The ever reliable Eamon Brosnan billowed the net from same for Duhallow but that was as good as it got for them. Kevin Hallissey, Ian Barry Murphy and Kevin Murphy raised white flags for the winners before they secured major number four.
Kevin Roche did well to save a goal scoring effort from Ian Barry Murphy but Kevin Murphy was on hand to whip the sliotar to the net and Muskerry were now in a position to empty the bench. They consolidated their position in the closing stages registering four additional points and raising a fifth green flag. Fittingly Peter Kelleher found the net on this occasion as he created the openings for a number of scores for his fellow forwards following his introduction.
Muskerry will be very satisfied with their victory and they were certainly in a scoring mood. They have been participating in the senior hurling championship since 1933 and 5-17 is the biggest championship score that they have ever recorded.
SCORERS
MUSKERRY: Kevin Hallissey (1-5), Ian Barry Murphy (1-4), Kevin Murphy (2-1), Matt Bradley (0-5), Peter Kelleher (1-0), Sean Burke (0-2, 1f)
DUHALLOW: Eamon Brosnan (1-4, 1-0 pen), Sean Howard (0-3, 1f), Jack Murphy (0-2), Kevin Tarrant (0-2), Tom Howard (01), Stephen O Reilly (0-1), Conor Murphy (0-1), James Forrest (0-1)
MUSKERRY: P Hallissey (Blarney), R O Donovan (Ballincollig), J Mullins (Eire Óg), L Ryan (Inniscarra), C O Leary (Inniscarra), S O Donoghue (Inniscarra), A Murphy (Cloughduv), R Murphy (Blarney), M Bradley (Aghabullogue), M O Riordan (Dripsey), S Bourke (Grenagh), D Hannon (Blarney), K Hallissey (Eire Óg), K Murphy (Ballinora), I Barry Murphy (Aghabullogue). Subs: P Kelleher (Kilmichael) for M O Riordan (h-t), S Tarrant (Aghabullogue) for Bradley (53), C Cotter (Kilmicheal) for Ray Murphy (53), Eoin Maher (Dripsey) for Kevin Hallissey (55), M Walsh (Cloughduv) for Kevin Murphy (56)
DUHALLOW: K Roche (Banteer), C Buttimer (Kilbrin), B O Sullivan (Meelin), D O Mahony (Castlemagner), B Weathers (Banteer), C O Callaghan (Dromtarriffe), C Murphy (Castlemagner), S Howard (Dromtarriffe), K Cremin (Dromtarriffe), J Murphy (Dromtarriffe), K Tarrant (Banteer), J O Callaghan (Meelin), S O Reilly (Banteer), E Brosnan (Meelin), T Howard (Dromtarriffe). Subs: S Hehir (Meelin) for O Mahony (inj, 41), D O Keeffe (Dromtarriffe) for J O Callaghan (47)
REFEREE: M Maher (St Finbarrs)