Shane Kingston offers a reminder of his class with stunning display as Douglas beat Charleville
Douglas' Shane Kingston breaks from Charleville's Cathal O'Carroll during the RedFM Division 1 HL game at Douglas. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Douglas produced a season-best in the Red FM Division 1 Hurling League against a dogged Charleville side on Friday night.
The victory was built on a fine team performance and the majestic striking of Cork hurler Shane Kingston, whose 13- point tally was right from the top drawer.
Kingston has produced some great displays for Cork over the years but because he wasn't included in Sunday’s squad for the Tipperary game, he was freed to play. He certainly let his hurling do the talking here.
Kingston ran himself into the ground and his individual display showed his class.
In the opening exchanges, Charleville were quickest from the blocks as they hunted in packs and won the majority of dirty ball. On a heavy pitch, scoring was difficult in the first quarter but a David Forde point in the second minute got Charleville up and running.
Douglas gradually found their mojo, but their shooting was well off target at times and they failed to register a score until the 16th minute courtesy of a Brian Turnbull white flag.
Turnbull was an underage talent for club and county but was travelling for a few years. You can see he will be a major asset when returning to full fitness.
The North Cork side exposed some poor Douglas defending with Forde on hand to drill an unstoppable shot to the net. Yet as the half-matured, Douglas began to find their shape and with Kingston inspiring his team with some clinical points, they only trailed 1-6 to 0-6 at the break.
Douglas have a new manager in Ken St Leger, working with Ted O’Donovan and the former Courcey Rovers player Vincent Hurley.
Douglas' work-rate was impressive, as they were running and hustling throughout. Four consecutive Kingston points got them off to a strong start in the second half.
Charleville were getting flustered with the high press Douglas put on them and the pendulum swung in the city side's direction in the 47th minute with a wonderful goal.
A three-man running move saw Kingston play in young player Charlie Lucas, who finished with precision to the back of the net.
In the closing 10 minutes, Kingston basically took this game by the scruff of the neck with some clinical points that stunned Charleville into submission.
In defence, Douglas had solid performers in the full- and half-back lines as they outmuscled Charleville when this game hung in the balance.
Next up for Douglas is a trip to play Fr O’Neill’s in two weeks. A win at the East Cork venue would be a major boost for the remainder of their campaign.
Just on a final note, in an era when referees seldom get the credit they deserve let's salute the performance of Pa O’Driscoll as the Bride Rovers clubman ensured this game was officiated in a fair and sporting manner.
S Kingston 0-13 (0-7 f), C Lucas 1-0, B Turnbull, E O’Flynn, C Kingston, S O’Leary, A Cadogan 0-1 each.
D Forde 1-2, R Carroll 0-4 (0-2 f), DJ Collins 0-3 f, G Gleeson, J O’Callaghan, B O’Neill, B O’Connell 0-1 each.
D Maher; B O’Neill, D Harte, D Murphy; E O’Flynn, M Howell, C O’Donovan; A Cadogan, D Kelly; C Baldwin, M O’Brien, C Kingston; B Turnbull, J Harte, S Kingston.
A O’Connell for D Kelly (48), S O’Leary for C Baldwin (48, C O’Donovan for B Turnbull (54), D Murphy for B O’Neill (56).
C Reynolds; D Butler, F Cagney, O O’Connell; C O’Carroll, A Dennehy, B O’Connell; J O’Callaghan, D Casey; C Buckley, D Forde, R Carroll; G Gleeson, C Kelleher, DJ Collins.
Pa O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers).
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