Passage learned the virtue of patience last year and they launched another improbable retrieval from five back at Walsh Park on Sunday night. Owen Connors cracked 1-10, including an equalising goal from a 21 metre free in the second added minute, as the county champions earned a draw with Roanmore after an exciting conclusion (1-13 each).
The Sky Blues, who only escaped the drop in 2013 after a relegation play-off, almost caused a seismic shock through a tactical ploy of funnelling players back (thirteen at times) and breaking at speed. Super sub Stephen Grant flicked a Gavin O’Brien free past Eddie Lynch with six minutes left to make a breakaway of 1-13 to 0-11. Despite the intervention of Connors, Roanmore could have squeaked victory with the last puck but O’Brien’s free sailed right and wide.
This Eastern duo were level seven times. Passage began without Eoin Kelly, John Whitty and Rory Walsh but still fielded eleven of last year’s winners. A spread of seven different scorers and a strong defensive emphasis earned Roanmore a 0-7 to 0-5 half time lead. Driven on by Eamonn Power, O’Brien and Daniel Murphy in the second half, they seemed destined for victory.
17 points off the stick of Jamie Barron (ten frees, six from play and a single 65’) dazzled Abbeyside yesterday at Fraher Field as Fourmilewater avenged a 19 point loss to the same opposition in last year’s quarter final (0-21 to 0-14).
Barron shot seven (five in general business) in a withdrawn wing forward role as Fourmile’ recovered from a shaky start to reach the dressing room 0-10 to 0-6 ahead. Abbeyside introduced Richie Foley for a long awaited competitive return but despite his three point input and five from Michael O’Halloran, they couldn’t deal with Barron’s extravagant accuracy. He posted all bar one of Fourmile’s second half total. Shane Lawlor and Liam Lawlor dominated in defence.
2013 runners-up Ballygunner soaked up a second half reprisal by Dungarvan to clinch a six point win (2-21 to 2-15). Fergal Hartley’s troops blitzed the Blues by 2-12 to 0-7 in the opening thirty as Barry O’Sullivan swept home on ten minutes and Stephen Power followed up from a 21 metre free a minute later. Dungarvan clawed their way back to within four through two Cathal Curran goals in the third quarter. Pauric Mahony quelled the comeback with four late placed balls to end with nine to his name.
Michael Kearney and Tony Browne graced the Saturday night stage at Fraher Field. Last year’s All Ireland minor medallist scored 2-9 in Ballyduff Upper’s narrow win over Ardmore while the wily veteran supplied seven as Sion sidestepped Tallow.
Despite the heavy downpours, Ballyduff Upper and Ardmore produced an absorbing and keenly contested encounter. The 2007 champions departed 1-8 to 0-4 on top after the first thirty. Kearney engineered a goal on 22 minutes after Shane Hannon played a pass into the corner and he burned his marker for pace before placing to the far corner. Seamus Prendergast roused Ardmore with 1-9 as they closed to within two points. Tom Power struck the post at a critical juncture however and Kearney booted along the floor with six minutes left to ultimately divide the sides (2-13 to 1-13).
In the curtain raiser, Browne performed an active role (14 plays during the hour) as Sion trudged beyond Tallow (0-15 to 1-7). The Monastery men had six to spare by halfway (0-10 to 0-4). Substitute Jordan Henley burst through on 47 minutes to rustle the net and leave Tallow four points down. Six Browne frees and one from play always kept Sion in command and Austin Gleeson also starred with a six point contribution.
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