Banteer show character to see off Castlemagner

Banteer 3-18 Castlemagner 2-16

BANTEER finished strongly to stave off a terrific Castlemagner charge in a highly exciting E Tarrant & Sons Skoda Dealer Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship at a sweltering Newmarket. From a tough contest played in balmy conditions, the outcome remained in the balance up to the latter stages, Banteer were put to the pin of their collar to recover

Kiskeam v Lyre, Dromtariffe 12 noon from a defeat by Kanturk in the opening round.

Indeed Castlemagner couldn’t be faulted for their effort and heart in a massive improvement from a loss to Kilbrin first time out. At a crucial stage, Castle’ looked to had timed a run perfectly to take a brief lead only for Banteer to re-assert themselves and finish on the ascendency.

The action hotted up from the outset, a Kevin Tarrant lead goal for Banteer cancelled out with a Danny Lenihan converted penalty for Castlemagner following a foul on Jack Cott. A few tense

Glenlara v St. Johns moments saw Banteer’s Tadgh Sexton pick up a red card yet the numerical disadvantage failed to curb some positive play by Banteer.

That stemmed from the solid contributions of the Kearney brothers, Kieran Sexton, David McAulliffe and Tarrant. A run of points were exchanged only for Banteer to claim a second goal from David Barrett to hold a 2-10 to 1-9 advantage at the break.

Again, the tension rose a notch on the resumption, playing numbers balanced after Castlemagner defender Denis Lucey was sent to the line. That failed to deter Castle’ from creating an impact as Cillian O’Sullivan, Conor Murphy, Stephen Tobin and Darragh O’Sullivan put their shoulder to the wheel.

A goal from Cott tied up the game with follow up points from Cott and Linehan pushed Castle’ ahead. It was character testing time for Banteer and their response was emphatic with Luke Philpott grabbing a goal.

Castlemagner attempted a recovery yet the momentum remained with Banteer and late points from Conor O’Keeffe, Evan

Newmarket 3-14 Banteer 0-9

O’Brien and Damien Kearney rubberstamped victory to a gripping contest.

BANTEER: K Roche; E O’Brien 0-1, K Sexton, C Coughlan; C Murphy, R O’Connor, M Kearney 0-1; D McAuliffe, B Withers 0-2; A Coughlan 0-2, K Tarrant 1-5, D Kearney 0-1; T Sexton, L Philpott 1-5 (0-5f), D Barrett 1-0. Subs: C O’Keeffe 0-1 for D Barrett, B O’Keeffe for A Coughlan, K Barry for K Tarrant.

CASTLEMAGNER: D O’Callaghan; C O’Brien, D Gayer, D Murphy; D Lucey, A Morrissey, K O’Sullivan; C Murphy 0-2 (1f), D Lenihan 1-6 (0-5f, 1-0p); J Cott 1-4, S Falvey, T Murphy; D Vaughan, D O’Sullivan 0-1, S Tobin 0-3. Subs: N Breen for D Murphy, J Bourke for D Vaughan.

REFEREE: J Kenneally (Kanturk)