The eagerly awaited first round of the Senior Hurling league took place last weekend, with Erinâs Own taking on Tullaroan in Ballyragget. Both sides entered this game hoping to hit the ground running.
Tullaroan made a number of personnel & positional changes to their side prior to the throw in, with, Kieranâs college duo Padraig Walsh and Paul Buggy introduced to the starting 15, Tommy Walsh moving to midfield, Richard Cleere switching from corner forward to corner back and Nicky Maher shifting from corner forward out to the wing.
Tullaroan started strongly registering the first three points, the opening two from Mark Walsh frees and the third a Tommy Walsh long range effort from midfield, indeed they could have been further ahead, but for two wides. Erinâs Own settled to the task, landing two points to reduce the arrears to a single point, Davy Buggy was first off the mark, converting a free after some good work by Eddie Brennan, for the second, Gordon Byrne collected a loose ball in midfield, made ground before drilling the ball over. Both sides traded points from placed balls with Mark Walsh and Davy Buggy on target twice to level proceedings. An injury to Chris Maher resulted in a long stoppage. Upon the resumption the heavy rain that had marred the opening 20 mins play stopped. Erinâs Own were awarded a free in their own half, Damien Fogarty delivered the ball into the danger zone, as the ball broke loose, Peader Boran who was arriving at speed from his berth, meet the ball on the bounce to bury it to the Tullaroan net. The Tullaroan management made their most astute move of the game, introducing Shane Hennessy to centre forward and he had an immediate impact, stepping up to goal from a 21 yard free and he added a point from another free to leave the half time score 1-5 to 1-4 in his sides favour.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first with Tullaroan having the opening chances with Shane Hennessy pointing from a free, with Davy Buggy converting two frees to again tie the game. Paul Doheny stepped up to re-establish his sideâs advantage with a point. At this stage both half back lines were dominating, with Damien & Conor Fogarty for Erinâs Own and Martin Walsh Tullaroan on song. Erinâs own introduced James Mullins for Michael Owens, who had carried a knock into the game, Mullins went into corner back with Aidan Moran moving to midfield and Gordon Byrne moving to the attack. This reshuffle provided a fresh impetus for the Comer men. A Conor Fogarty long range free was drifting wide, but Eddie Brennan now operating at full forward done well to keep the ball in play and goal from an acute angle, again as in the first half, Tullaroan replied within minutes, with Paul Buggy latching on to a loose ball in front of the Comer goal to restore their two point advantage with a well taken goal. Eddie Brennan had to be assisted off the field after sustaining an injury; he was replaced by Dermot Wallace. Comer again battled back to parity with a Damien Fogarty long range free and another pointed free from Davy Buggy. Shane Hennessy again pointed a free. Erinâs Own had the Tullaroan backs under sustained pressure entering the closing stages but unfortunately drove two wides; Tullaroan worked the ball up field with Padraig Walsh scoring what proved to be the winning point. With time almost up, Erinâs Own were awarded a free, 30 meters out, to the left of goal, Davy Buggy dispatched a blistering shot which unfortunately flashed over the bar.
Tullaroan will be happy to have secured the points and Erinâs Own will hope to the return of their injured players.
Team: Tom Brophy, Aidan Moran, Sean Meally, Peter Donovan, Gerry Callinan, Damien Fogarty, Conor Fogarty, Gordon Byrne, Ronan Ryan, Eddie Brennan, Michael Owens, Michael Moran, Peader Boran, Davy Buggy, Martin Boran,
Last Monday, the minors travelled to Paulstown for a league match against the locals, After a keenly contested game, with little to separate the teams throughout, the Comer boys dug deep to secure the points by the minimum 0-15 to 0-14. The Primary school team made the trip to Mooncoin, performing very well, eventually losing out.
The U-16s opened their league campaign against a much fancied Dicksboro in Ballycomey on Thursday. The lads battled hard, eventually losing out 2-10 to 0-7. The U-10s played their third round game in the Danesfort blitz, with James Stephens providing the opposition; both sides won a match each in the mini sided format.
The Juniorâs took on neighbours Cloneen on Saturday in Ballycomey, the visitors lead 0-8 to 0-6 at half time and further extend their lead in the opening stages of the second half before the Comer men went on a goal scoring spree netting three times ,eventually running out winners by 3-13 to 0-17.
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