Hogues are happy
Sensational second-half show vital
BALLYHOGUE POWERED to glory in the Enniscorthy Guardian Under-15 hurling Roinn 2 championship final with a sensational second-half display against Rathgarogue-Cushinstown in Taghmon.
The champions were given a serious fright in the first-half as the New Ross District club pillaged goal after goal. It was a fascinating game at the break, with the Bree boys on top on the balance of play but behind on the scoreboard (4-3 to 2-7).
Ballyhogue refused to accept anything other than success and they turned the screw after half-time. Despite coming up against some talented Rathgarogue-Cushinstown operators, the spine of the team really blossomed, with the midfield duo of David Hennebry and Tobias Redmond seemingly everywhere.
On top of that, right across the half-forward line Ballyhogue began to motor.
Their workrate was unrelenting in horrid conditions as the wind picked up to match the intensity of the heavy showers.
However, it was Rathgarogue-Cushinstown who got off to the perfect start, as Peter McGrath swiped the opening goal past Shane Roche after Gary Porter was initially denied.
When talented attacker Porter netted in the next move, his side led by 2-0 to nil after 90 seconds.
Ballyhogue burst back to life and were level shortly after Ben Asple netted the first of his hat-trick (1-3 to 2-0). Yet Rathgarogue-Cushinstown looked threatening every time they attacked, and Porter goaled again in the eleventh minute.
The ebbs and flows of the half continued on the scoreboard but the Enniscorthy District club did start to get more territorial dominance. Asple pulled home his second in the 21st minute and his side were level again when Jamie Fitzpatrick pointed.
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown finished the first-half with a flourish as Porter turned Eoghan Doyle’s long-range free to the net. It gave them a 4-3 to 2-7 interval lead and set up a second-half that promised more of the same.
However, Hennebry’s ball in broke to Asple and he netted within seconds of the re-start. It hurt Rathgarogue-Cushinstown and their opponents sensed blood. James Reville scored a sensational point but Richard Murphy replied at the other end.
It was 3-9 to 4-4 after 37 minutes but Ballyhogue got up a head of steam and pulled clear. Liam Doyle pointed, Asple grabbed a couple, and Hennebry brought his tally to nine as Ballyhogue raced away to claim a well-deserved title.
Ballyhogue: Shane Roche; Conor O’Brien, Conor Dawson, Keith Roche; Conor Rodgers, Ben Harrington, Darragh Bates; David Hennebry (capt., 0-9, 6 frees, 2 ’65s), Tobias Redmond; Jamie Fitzpatrick (0-1), Liam Doyle (0-2), James Reville (0-1); Ben Asple (3-2), Martin Doyle, Conor Kelly. Subs. - Odin Doyle for Kelly (57), Mark Asple for Roche (60), also Eamonn Asple, Oscar Redmond, Mark Dawson.
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown: Shane Cullen; Jess Keevey, Luke O’Dwyer, Seán O’Neill; Diarmuid Somers, Eoghan Doyle (capt., 0-1 free), Seán Barry; Oisín Mac Eochaidh, Ryan O’Connor (0-1); Dylan Moran, James Quinn, Seán O’Brien; Richard Murphy (0-2 frees), Gary Porter (3-0), Peter McGrath (1-0). Subs. - Oisín Brennan for Barry (45), Shane Clifford for McGrath (49), also Conor Kavanagh, Diarmuid Barry, Liam O’Neill, Oisín McAuliffe, Mark Byrne.
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James’).