Douglas hurlers edge out Carrigaline thanks to Cian Baldwin goal and Alan Cadogan's experience

Douglas 1-18 Carrigaline 0-19 

Douglas had to dig deep in the second half to see off Carrigaline in a competitive RedFM SHL Division 1 clash at Douglas on Sunday.

Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze, Douglas went in at the break commanding a six-point lead but when Brian Kelleher edged Carrigaline ahead by the minimum with five minutes remaining the home side looked in trouble.

Inspired by Alan Cadogan, who tallied eight points, and thanks to a late Cian Baldwin goal Douglas just about shaded this intriguing game.

It was Carrigaline who got off to a good start with a Ronan Kelleher point giving them a huge lift despite playing against the wind.

There was little to choose between the teams in the opening quarter with the sides on parity at five points each.

Credit to Carrigaline they worked hard for possession, but Douglas got on top for a 14-minute spell as the visitors were held scoreless in this period.

As the half matured Cadogan began showing his experience but the Douglas defence were almost caught napping with a minute remaining to half time.

The hard-working Carrigaline full-forward Reece McCarthy got in behind the Douglas defence but his shot failed to hit the target and a late Fionnan Barry white flag ensured a six-point cushion for the home side.

On the restart, Brian Kelleher missed consecutive frees for Carrigaline but six consecutive points had the visitors level in the 43rd minute.

To be fair Douglas looked a side on the ropes but somehow their half-back line showed the resilience that eventually helped see off the Carrigaline challenge.

In the closing quarter, both sides produced quality hurling and just when Carrigaline looked likely winners, Douglas responded with a sucker punch goal.

Cadogan showed his class when breaking down a ball and substitute Baldwin was on hand to drill a low shot past the bewildered Carrigaline keeper.

The pressure on the Douglas defence was relentless but in centre-back Mark Howell they had a leader among men.

This season Douglas have a very young side and their credentials will be tested come championship time when they face the bigger guns.

Carrigaline who will be competing in the Premier Intermediate grade and should make a big impression in this grade having lost last year’s final to Watergrasshill.

The sound of the final whistle brought relief to the Douglas camp as this was a true test of their character that they passed with flying colours.

Scorers for Douglas: A Cadogan 0-8 (0-4 f), C Lucey 0-4, C Baldwin 1-0, C Lucas 0-3, N Hartnett 0-2, F Barry 0-2, M Howell 0-1.

Carrigaline: B Kelleher 0-6 (0-5 f), K O’Reilly, R Kelleher 0-3 each, R O’Shea 0-2 f, C Kearney 0-2, D Drake, R McCarthy, R Vaughan 0-1 each.

DOUGLAS: D Maher; S O’Leary, B O’Neill, K McSweeney; J O’Callaghan-Maher, M Howell, D O’Callaghan; A O’Connell, C Kingston; N Hartnett, J Harte, C Lucas; A Cadogan, C Hallahan, F Barry.

Subs: S Barron for F Barry (42), C Baldwin for C Kingston (53), C O’Brien for J Harte (53).

CARRIGALINE: C McCarthy; D Stack, S Williamson, H Andrews; C O’Farrell, P Mellet, C Vaughan; R Kelleher, R O’Shea; C Kearney, B Kelleher, K O’Reilly; D Drake, R McCarthy, S Andrews.

Subs: R Vaughan for C Kearney (45), D Greene for R O’Shea (inj 48).

Referee: A Hyland (Kilworth).