More games proving beneficial to flying Rocks

A much superior second-half display powered Arklow Rocks to an eight-point victory over Aughrim when the sides met in the Intermediate hurling league at the Community sports field in Aughrim on Saturday last, May 18.

On a pleasant sunny evening for hurling the home side played with the aid of a breeze in the opening half and got off to the better start.

Points from two frees by Adam Keegan and Alex Kavanagh had Aughrim two points to the good after five minutes. The Rocks were wide with a couple of attacks before full-forward Cian Doyle brought the sides level when he converted two frees in quick succession.

Alex Kavanagh and Adam Keegan were causing problems for the Rocks defence on the right flank of attack with Kavanagh’s pace when in possession creating scoring opportunities.

A clearance in behind the Rocks defence allowed Kavanagh to carry the ball straight through to shoot a good goal past the veteran Bryan O’Leary between the posts for ARP.

However, the visitors responded quickly and points from Adam O’Leary and Sean Somers left the score at 1-2 to 0-4 after 10 minutes, with Aughrim still ahead.

Alex Kavanagh and Cian Doyle exchanged points from frees to leave the lead unchanged at the end of the opening quarter.

The Rocks were now getting more play in the middle third of the field where Aughrim had enjoyed an early advantage through the exploits of brothers John and Lorcan Toomey.

Parnells half-backs Conor Gahan, Conor Doyle and Sean Somers were now more prominent, and the flow of play was putting the Aughrim defence under much more pressure.

Goalie David Whitty and the full-back trio of Stephan Arthur, Robert Lambert and Mark Shannon were coping well but they were helped by a wasteful Rocks attack who shot wide on five or six occasions from very scorable positions.

A point from play by Ryan Barden and a pointed free by Cian Doyle put the Arklow men ahead for the first time.

However, they were almost caught for a second Aughrim goal when Alex Kavanagh soloed through again, but he was almost hooked on this occasion and his shot was deflected for a point off the crossbar.

Level again at 1-4 to 0-7 but Rocks went ahead by the break with a fine score from a line ball by Conor Jameson and a second Ryan Barden point.

Parnells were turning over to play with the aid of the breeze, but Aughrim got a great boost on the restart. A free from midfield by Alex Kavanagh dropped into the goalmouth, was blocked back out to full-forward Peter Quigley who promptly dispatched to the net.

2-4 to 0-9 and Aughrim were ahead again.

Liam Somers levelled with a point and the same player set up Cian Doyle for a goal to leave Rocks ahead by that goal after 10 minutes. A further Liam Somers point and another from Cian Doyle, who was set up by a Conor Gahan pass and a second Adam O’Leary point, left the Rocks leading by 1-13 to 2-4 at the end of the third quarter.

While both sides were short a few regulars, it was at this stage that lack of games was evident for the home side. Arklow Rocks are playing in a North Wexford league and showing the benefit.

In fairness to Aughrim they continued to defend well, keeping the visitors to three points (a Cian Doyle 65 and a free and a final Liam Somers point) in that final 15 minutes.

Alex Kavanagh landed a 65 in the final five minutes to leave the final score at 1-16 to 2-5.

ARKLOW ROCK PARNELLS: Brian O’Leary; Darren Reilly, Martin Gilbert, Danny Long; Conor Gahan, Conor Doyle, Sean Somers (0-1); Conor Jameson (0-1), Cathal Byrne; Adam O’Leary (0-2), Elliot Young, Liam Somers (0-3); Des Byrne, Cian Doyle (1-7, 5f, 1 65), Ryan Barden (0-2). Subs: Joseph Kelly, Conor Long.

AUGHRIM: David Whitty; Shane Arthur, Robert Lambert, Mark Shannon; Dermot Toomey, Conor Lambert, Jack Murray; John Toomey, Lorcan Toomey; Brian O’Hanlon, Evan Byrne, Alex Kavanagh (1-4, 2f, 1 65); Adam Keegan (0-1, f), Peter Quigley (1-0), Mick Darcy. Subs Sean Campbell, Jamie Buckley. Corey O’Toole.

REFEREE: Chris Kavanagh (Avoca)