Mixed bag as favourites prevail - Waterford SHC Round 2

 

No major surprises on a mixed weekend in the hurling championship. Mount Sion and Abbeyside collided in a game where the issue was in doubt right up to the finish. In the end, Anthony Kirwan’s side proved that they will be in the mix come the knock out stages. Fourmilewater showed their steel in the second half to see off Tallow and maintain an impressive recent record in championship fare. As anticipated, De La Salle made light work of their assignment against the 2012 intermediate champions. Unfortunately, disciplinary matters also came to light last weekend. Sunday afternoon saw some ugly scenes at Walsh Park and two players were given their marching orders in Cappoquin. The crowds were also noticeably low at several fixtures.  

Reigning champions De La Salle went on the rampage to blitz An Rinn by 4-17 to 0-11 on Saturday evening. Jake Dillon rattled home 3-6 as Derek McGrath’s men secured their second win of the campaign in Group 1.

De La Salle coasted 2-9 to 0-4 clear at half time despite playing into a stiff breeze at Fraher Field. The sides were level at three points apiece after a tight opening quarter but they routed their opponents thereafter. Dillon sent a low drive to the net on 19 minutes and Dean Twomey added another green flag on the stroke of half time. With the wind in their favour, they showed no mercy on the resumption. Dillon struck his second from a 21 metre free on 43 minutes and completed his hat trick a minute later. The rising inter county star has accumulated a whopping 4-14 in two championship outings. An Rinn are now pointless after two outings despite the best efforts of Donie Breathnach.

Fourmilewater joined De La Salle at the top of Group 1 with a 2-12 to 0-13 win over Tallow in Cappoquin on Sunday afternoon. Two goals from Jamie Barron gave Fourmile’ a 2-5 to 0-8 interval lead after playing against the elements but the game turned sour in the second half. Barron and Aiden Kearney were shown straight red cards for an off the ball incident after 41 minutes and referee Jim Murphy also brandished six yellow cards. Tallow closed to within a point on three occasions in the second half as Paul Kearney and Robert O’Sullivan played leading roles in their fightback. Shane Walsh and Shane Ryan scored five points between them however in the final quarter to seal the win for Fourmilewater.

In Group 2, Mount Sion also collected their second success after they sneaked past Abbeyside by 1-18 to 1-15. The sides were level on eleven occasions before Sion outscored their opponents by four points to one in the final quarter. Wind assisted Abbeyside led by 1-12 to 1-10 at the break. In an entertaining half of hurling, the game moved briskly from end to end. Patrick Hurney nipped in ahead of Ian O’Regan to flick to the net in the third minute. In a see saw first half, Sion bounced back when Stephen Roche rifled home on eight minutes. Ian O’Regan denied Patrick Hurney his second major with a spectacular save as he dived full length to keep it out. The inter county stopper made some crucial interventions to limit the damage when Abbeyside looked dangerous in front of goal. The Villagers nudged ahead by two at half time but Sion could look forward to having the elements in their favour. The scores dried up in the second period but the exchanges remained close. After a tense third quarter, the sides were all square at 1-14 apiece. County minor Austin Gleeson, who contributed nine points, edged Sion in front with seven minutes left and they pushed on as Stephen Roche, Gavin Carroll and Eoin McGrath registered late points.

Elsewhere in Group 2, Ballygunner recovered from an opening round defeat to ease past Roanmore (1-20 to 0-11) in an ill tempered affair at Walsh Park on Sunday. The game was marred by a thirty man scuffle which broke out in the opening minutes but no cards were issued to either side. Brian O’Sullivan’s fifth minute goal gave Ballygunner breathing space as they consigned the Sky Blues to their second loss. The Gunners are yet to hit top form but Pauric Mahony’s free taking kept the scoreboard ticking over as they snapped up the two points.

The remaining two fixtures (Dungarvan versus Passage and Lismore versus Ballyduff Upper) were postponed due to deaths in the Dungarvan and Ballyduff Upper clubs.