Charleville hurlers lay down a marker with win away to Kanturk
Charleville Michael O'Flynn wins possession against Kanturk. Picture: John Tarrant
CHARLEVILLE finished strongly to get the better of Kanturk in a closely-fought Red FM Hurling League Division 1 tussle at Kanturk.
In doing so, Charleville bounced back to winning ways after incurring a defeat in their previous assignment against Douglas. When the need arose, the visitors pressed on the accelerator during the closing 10 minutes to shoot 1-4 without reply.
At times, there was an element of shadow-boxing hanging over this contest, Charleville and Kanturk are in the same Premier SHC group this summer along with Erin’s Own and Midleton. Indeed the all-North Cork clash is the concluding game to the group section.
On this occasion, Charleville and Kanturk matched each other for the best part of the hour but when it mattered, Charleville emerged the better combination after Tim Hawe netted a terrific goal entering the latter stages.
The visitors enjoyed the best of starts with points on the board registered by Andrew Cagney, Danny Flynn and David Forde. Kanturk came out of their shell and gained reward from points to the Walsh brothers, Ryan and Alan, with Brian O’Sullivan also on target. However, Charleville continued to enjoy an edge, spurred on by Michael O’Flynn, Rob Carroll, Killian Cagney and Forde.
Points from Cagney and Alan Dennehy helped Charleville secure a 0-8 to 0-6 interval advantage. Kanturk resumed with an increased tempo, prompted by the solid play of the Walsh brothers, O’Sullivan and Lorcán McLoughlin.
A run of frees from O’Sullivan pushed Kanturk narrowly ahead 0-11 to 0-10. Back came Charleville, Mark Kavanagh, a replacement for the injured Andrew Cagney, slotted over a pair of frees with Simon Gleeson also on target.
Kanturk battled gamely, points to Ryan Walsh and O’Sullivan tied up the proceedings at 0-14 apiece. A hint of a draw hung over the proceedings yet Charleville discovered a new lease of life, Kavanagh and Kilian Cagney pointing.
The initiative remained with Charleville, a breakthrough goal in the 55th minute saw substitute Oran O’Connell feed Hawe, the latter advanced along the end-line to apply a crisp finish to the Kanturk net from a tight angle. The hosts sought a reprieve and came close to a goal only for Charleville custodian Cian Collins to save a blaster from Cian Clernon.
It was time to bring the shutters down in the Charleville rearguard. Crucially their hurling was sharper in the last quarter with the industrious Killian Cagney adding a sublime point.
On this occasion, all the kudos go to Charleville, the next installment between the sides on Sunday, September 9 in Buttevant promises to be fought in full championship fervour and is eagerly awaited.
B O’Sullivan 0-9 (0-7f), R Walsh 0-2, A Walsh 0-2, L McLoughlin 0-1.
T Hawe 1-2, K Cagney 0-4, M Kavanagh 0-3 f, A Cagney (0-1 f), A Dennehy (f), S Gleeson 0-2 each, D Forde, G Kelleher, O’Connell 0-1 each.
C Collins; F Cagney, J Buckley, B O’Connell; A Dennehy, M O’Flynn, R Carroll; D Flynn, K Cagney; G Kelleher, A Cagney, S Gleeson; J O’Brien, D Forde, T Hawe.
M Kavanagh for A Cagney (inj), O O’Connell for J O’Brien, D Butler for S Gleeson, D J Collins for G Kelleher, B Forde for D Forde.
G Bucinskas; O O’Connor. J McLoughlin, C Mullane; R Walsh, J Browne, C Sheahan; B O’Sullivan, D O’Connor; A Walsh, L McLoughlin, D O’Connell; B Healy, C Clernon, L O’Keeffe.
C Walsh for B Healy.
W King (Kilbrin).
App?
