Division 1 HL: Alan Walsh bags 2-5 as Kanturk unfortunate not to win against Fr O'Neill's
Fr O'Neills' Kevin O'Sullivan shoots from Kanturk's Sean O'Connor during the RedFM HL division 1 game at Aghavine. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
A brilliant battle in Aghavine on Sunday morning saw Eoin Mothorway grab a late goal for Fr O’Neill’s deep into injury time, securing a draw against a depleted Kanturk in the RedFM Division 1 Hurling League.
He took a shot from distance but the ball deflected and went in, giving the hosts are share of the spoils after a disappointing performance.
O’Neill’s were sloppy at times and their decision making proved costly. A lack of composure allowed two soft goals, but Kanturk were well up for the fight and led for most of the game.
O’Neill’s manager Ray O’Neill gave debut starts to James O’Brien, Mark O’Neill and Jake Shine as the hosts didn’t manage the Aghavine wind very well. Nonetheless, it was a positive sign to still get something out of the game, with Conor O'Leary and Billy Dunne impressive for the hosts.
Their opponents were unfortunate not to come away with more than a draw, though.
An injury to wing-forward Sean O’Connor forced Kanturk to bring goalkeeper Grantas Bucinskas outfield, with Brian Kenneally coming off the bench to take his place between the posts.
Despite the challenges they fought on well, with the experienced Lorcán McLoughlin impressing along with centre-back Brian O’Sullivan, who scored nine frees.
The star for Kanturk though was unsurprisingly Alan Walsh again, who tallied an outrageous 2-5 from play.
Given how tight they were on numbers it was a great performance and result for the Duhallow men, as highlighted by manager Tom Walsh after the game.
“We’re very happy with the performance of the team overall,” he began. “We’re blooding in a few young players and it’s a new experience for them, and they’re doing very well.
“Our more experienced players are improving match to match. They’re getting the hurling in and especially Brian O’Sullivan, he was excellent centre-back. Lorcán McLoughlin again. Alan Walsh full-forward.
“Their experience and their knowledge – they’re working with the young players and that’s a massive benefit to us,” he added. “We were obviously going down today quite concerned that we were so understrength. We got three injuries from the football match against Knocknagree last Sunday, three starters. We were very stretched.
“Rory Shane picked up a hamstring injury, Lorcán O’Neill picked up a hamstring injury and Noel Forde broke his toe.
“We put in the young fellas and with the guidance of the more experienced players around them they played very well. We’re very happy with the performance and very happy with the improvement from the last day.”
B Dunne 2-1, C O’Leary 1-3, K O’Sullivan (2fs, 1 65) John Millerick 0-4 each, P O’Sullivan, P McMahon 0-1 each, 1-0 own goal.
A Walsh 2-5, B O’Sullivan 0-9 f, Cian Walsh 0-3, Colin Walsh 0-3, I Walsh 0-1.
P O’Sullivan; J Barry, E Motherway, M O’Neill; Joe Millerick, D Harrington, J O’Brien; P McMahon, John Millerick; C O’Leary, K O’Sullivan, M Wall; T O’Donoghue Brosnan, B Dunne, J Shine.
G Bucinskas; C Mullane, M Healy, J McLoughlin; S Meylan, B O’Sullivan, L McLoughlin; C Shane, B Healy; I Walsh, Colin Walsh, S O’Connor; D O’Connor, Alan Walsh, G Keenan.
B Kenneally for S O’Connor (inj).
Pa Beausang (Midleton)
App?
