St. Canices CU Hurling League Round 3
O’Loughlin Gaels GAA 2-15 to 0-16 Carrickshock
Venue: St. Johns Park, 20th of May 2017 at7.30pm
Referee: Owen Kenny
O’Loughlin Gaels GAA 2-15 to 0-16 Carrickshock
Venue: St. Johns Park, 20th of May 2017 at7.30pm
Referee: Owen Kenny
O’Loughlin Gaels came away from this game with maximum points.. a scenario that didn’t look likely as the first half approached its closing stages. The Gaels benefitted from a couple of breaks in the first period. The first coming just 90 seconds into the game when referee Owen Kenny awarded the St. John’s attack a penalty. An opportunity that O’Loughlin’s No. 1 Stephen Murphy duly converted with a net rattler. But from there until the 28th minute Carrickshock outscored the Gaels 10 points to 5..with 3 of those O’Loughlin’s points registered in the last 8 minutes during a much needed purple patch kickstarted through a well worked Mark Kelly point – Mark looking dangerous at times throughout this opening period. Just before the break the Gaels got their second break. Carrickshock’s indiscipline was showing and the Gaels were awarded a free on the 28th minute from 50 yards. Mark Bergin strike dipped short and bounced harmlessly to the net. The Gaels headed for the slices of oranges with a flattering one point advantage. O’Loughlin Gaels 2-5 to 0-10
If O’Loughlin Gaels rode their luck in the first half, Carrickshock were guilty of some bad shooting in the second. True O’Loughlin Gaels did put in a better performance and were worthy of their 5 point win but again they struggled to shake off the challengers. O’Loughlin defence was solid and the attack was moving a lot better and making the opportunities The southerners indiscipline continued and was often tolerated, but it’s consistency only contributed to a disjointed performance by them. Conor Bergin, Robbie Buckley and David Burke enjoyed the final quarter while Mark Kelly and Paddy Deegan dominated the play during vital stages of the game. Upon the restart Carrickshock registered a poor wide from a placed ball which was repeated moments later. In the mean time O’Loughlin converted 2 minors, one from a free (M Bergin) and one from Robbie Buckley who had just missed an earlier opportunity showing good form in the early stages of this half. Goal keeper Stephen Murphy showed his worth again with a good save and quick hands to divert the danger from his goal area and keeping a clean sheet for his evening’s work. With 8 mins remaining the score stood at 2-12 to 0-13, Carrickshock added 3 unanswered points over the next 5 mins to put just 2 points between the sides as the final whistle loomed. But the Gaels closed out the game during the referees discretionary 2 minutes of additional time with 3 points through Mark Kelly, Conor Bergin and David Burke. Final score O’Loughlin Gaels 2-15 to 0-16 Carrickshock.
The St. John’s faithful headed towards the Sion Rd satisfied with the points earned after the first three league games. There’s a break now until July now while the inter-county game gets going. A break that the lads will gladly take to re-evaluate for the remainder of this campaign. It’s been a good job so far with new players being given their opportunities and more established players having to draw from their rich knowledge of experience. 3 games – 5 league points…that’ll do. Lovely hurling
Team: S. Murphy (1-0,Pen), A Forrestal, A Kearns, E. Kearns, P. Butler, B. Hogan, H. Lawlor, P. Deegan, J. Nolan, S. Johnston, M. Kelly (0-4), M. Bergin (1-6, 1-5f), D, Burke (0-2), R, Buckley (0-2), C. Bergin (0-2). D. Lenihen, S. Bolger, B. Maher, G. Bryan, R. Butler, J. Doyle, G. Kelly, J. Leahy, S. Mahony.