Salle survive a scare - Waterford SHC Round 1

County champions De La Salle were given a fright from Ballyduff in the opening round of the Waterford SHC before emerging as five point victors (1-18 to 1-13) on Saturday night at Fraher Field. The teams were tied on seven occasions before Jake Dillon slammed home the clinching goal with two minutes remaining.

They trailed by 1-9 to 0-9 at the midway point as the Reds struck the last five points of the first half. Shane Kearney raised a green flag on 12 minutes and Michael Kearney caused trouble in the corner. The county minor struck six points in all as the 2007 winners rattled their fancied opponents. Kevin Moran produced a strong second half performance however and Dillon, who amassed 1-8, landed the killer punch.

On Friday night, a sharp Mount Sion outfit defeated old adversaries Ballygunner at Walsh Park.  Their young guns stood tall in a 0-20 to 0-17 triumph as Austin Gleeson, Stephen Roche and Ian Galgey accounted for sixteen points between them. They sprinted seven points clear (0-14 to 0-7) at the interval with Pauric Mahony’s free taking leaving Ballygunner clinging on. Sion maintained their grip on the resumption and held off a late fightback from the Gunners to take the two points.

Jamie Barron snatched an injury time winner for Fourmilewater as they snuck past fourteen man Lismore by the minimum. The sides were level eight times before Barron’s eighth point ensured a 0-17 to 1-13 success. Lismore led by 1-7 to 0-7 at half time after the impressive Dan Shanahan set up Jordan Shanahan for a goal on eight minutes. Fourmile stuck to their task with Diarmuid Wall landing two vital points and Conor Gleeson entering the fray to mark his first senior start with a score. Stephen O’Keeffe saw the line for Lismore as they came up narrowly short.

Eoin Kelly bagged 2-5 as Passage overwhelmed Abbeyside in a lively affair (4-15 to 1-14). Their full forward line wreaked havoc as the Eastern side held a 3-8 to 0-9 interval cushion. Abbeyside had no answer to their combination play with John Whitty, Kelly and Killian Fitzgerald striking majors. Kelly poked home his second after the break and although a Patrick Hurney goal gave the Villagers hope, there was no way back.

2012 runners-up Dungarvan routed Roanmore by 5-15 to 1-9 as debutant Patrick Curran grabbed 2-1. The Blues stamped their authority early on and surged 2-6 to 0-0 ahead after just 15 minutes. Jamie Nagle and Gavin Crotty grabbed their first half goals. Patrick Curran was introduced at the interval and made an instant impact by scoring within 20 seconds. Cormac Curran lashed a shot to the top corner before Patrick bagged a brace.

On Sunday evening, Tallow gave An Rinn a rude awakening to life in the senior ranks with a comfortable 3-8 to 0-10 triumph. A stern half back line of Mark O’Brien, David O’Brien and James Murray snuffed out any threat as Thomas Ryan scored 2-4 at the other end. His second strike was out of the top drawer as he knifed through the heart of the defence before unleashing a rocket to the top left hand corner.