Russell Rovers hit three goals against Moyle Rovers to secure passage to Munster final
Russell Rovers Brian Hartnett takes on Moyle Rovers Luke Boland during their AIB Munster Junior club HC semi-final clash at Midleton. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Russell Rovers won the battle of the Rovers to put them through to the AIB Munster Junior Club Hurling final.
The Cork side were the better team all through with two goals from Brian Hartnett and one from Josh Beausang proving the difference between the sides after an entertaining game at Midleton.
Hartnett and Beausang, along with Ciarán Sheehan were a constant threat up front for the winners, with James Kennefick marshalling their defence at the other end.
Overall this was an impressive team performance as they bid to add another Munster title to the one they won in 2019.
Beausang put them ahead in the first minute as Dara Ryan got Moyle off the mark to equalise. Beausang hit two more, to make it 0-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes.
Two frees from Ryan, along with two from Luke Delahunty put the Tipp side in front after 19 minutes, but their lead didn’t last long,
Straight from the restart, Russell Rovers worked the ball up the pitch with Hartnett playing Beausang in for their first goal, to make it 1-4 to 0-5.
Rhyan pulled a point back for Moyle but late scores from Beausang, Kevin Moyhnihan and Hartnett saw Russell Rovers lead by 1-7 to 0-6 at half-time.
Daniel Moynihan added to their tally at the start of the second half, before Ryan and Killian Butler pointed to put a goal between the sides.
Kevin Moynihan made it 1-9 to 0-8 before Russell Rovers got their second goal and effectively kill off Moyle’s challenge.
Beausang played a quick free to Hartnett and he gave Brian Gleeson no chance of saving, to make it 2-9 to 0-8 with 40 minutes gone.
Luke Duggan Murray and Ruairi Cummins added points, with Ryan and Anthony Phelan replying for Moyle.
Hartnett and Beausang were both on target and with time running out it was 2-13 to 0-13 in Russell Rovers' favour.
A late goal from Hartnett rounded off the scoring as Russell Rovers ran out deserving winners.
They now face Killrossanty from Waterford in the final in two weeks.
B Hartnett 2-3, J Beausang 1-5, K Moynihan 0-2, D Moynihan, L Duggan Murray, R Cummins 0-1 each.
D Ryan 0-9 (0-8 f), L Delahunty 0-2, A Phelan, K Butler 0-1 each.
R Walsh; K O’Brien, E O’Sullivan, K Tattan; F Murray, J Kennefick, D Moynihan; R Cummins, K Walsh; B Hartnett, K Moynihan, L Duggan Murray; J Beausang, C Sheehan, M O’Dwyer.
J McGrath for M O’Dwyer, P Lane for F Murray (both 36), K Ivers for K Moynihan (53), D Ruddy for L Duggan Murray (56), S O’Neill for B Hartnett (60).
B Gleeson; C McKeown, L Boland, B McKeown; R Collins, B Owens, C McGrath; R Quigley, K Grace; K Butler, D Ryan, S Ryan; D English, A Phelan, L Delahunty.
D Luttrell for S Ryan (39), S Keating for K Grace (45), N Croke for C McGrath (56), D Lyne for D English (60).
Referee: Seaghan Walsh, Waterford.
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