Division 1 HL: Charleville back on track with big win over Killeagh
Charleville's Gareth Gleeson is tackled by Killeagh's Keane Kelly-Budds at Charleville. Picture: David Keane
Charleville picked up an important win in the RedFM Division 1 Hurling League after brushing aside Killeagh by 19 points at Charleville on Sunday morning.
The Avondhu side had come into the game with four points from five outings, and this victory now pushes them into mid-table.
The encounter was played in difficult weather conditions, with driving wind and heavy rain in the first half making life challenging for all involved. It didn’t faze Charleville, who produced an outstanding second quarter to lead by ten points at the interval. They had been playing within themselves early on but soon settled and took control.
The second half was one-way traffic as Dominic Foley’s charges dominated all over the pitch as the weather improved. Ten different scorers contributed in what was a satisfying response to their disappointing defeat to Midleton last time out.
Killeagh’s performances have been encouraging of late, but they have now taken just two points from six outings. Injuries haven’t helped their cause, but they couldn’t be faulted for effort here — they simply came up against a much better team on the day.
Charleville opened with points from Rob Carroll and Seán Bresnan, but Killeagh responded with three unanswered white flags, lively midfielder Evan Lane landing two. The game moved at a ferocious pace, with both teams cancelling each other out, and the sides were level at 0-6 apiece after a breathless opening 13 minutes.
Tim Hawe nudged Charleville back in front, but a Dylan McCarthy free restored parity. The second quarter, however, decided the contest as Charleville showed their class.
They hit five points on the bounce to lead 0-12 to 0-7 after 23 minutes. Carroll was excellent up front, while Darren Butler was rock solid in defence.
Eoghan Keniry pointed for Killeagh, but Charleville replied with 1-3 without response. Gavin Kelleher and Carroll added points before Hawe struck a close-range goal after a sweeping team move, sending the hosts in 1-15 to 0-8 ahead at half-time.
Charleville introduced Cork U20 hurler Zack Biggane for the new half, underlining their depth. They continued to put the boot down, landing three of the first five points of the second period, with Biggane contributing two.
A brilliant David Forde effort pushed the lead to 1-19 to 0-10 after 40 minutes. The sides traded points before Charleville struck 1-2 in two minutes, Gareth Gleeson finishing tidily to the net to make it 2-22 to 0-11.
The game petered out from there. The teams swapped points before Bresnan and Conor Buckley added late scores for the winners. Ryan McCarthy raised his second white flag in as many minutes for Killeagh, who battled gamely despite the deficit.
It was fitting that Carroll — one of Charleville’s standout performers — had the final say, converting a long-range free as the North Cork side got firmly back on track.
R Carroll 0-6 (0-2 f), D Forde 0-5 (0-3 f), T Hawe, G Gleeson 1-1 each, C Buckley 0-4, S Bresnan 0-3, Z Biggane, G Kelleher 0-2 each, D Butler, F Cagney 0-1 each.
D McCarthy 0-4 (0-3 f, 0-1 65), R McCarthy, E Keniry, F Brennan, E Lane 0-2 each, S Smiddy 0-1.
C Reynolds; D Butler, J Meade, A Dennehy; F Cagney, J Buckley, B O’Connell; S Bresnan, C O’Carroll; C Buckley, D Forde, R Carroll; G Gleeson, T Hawe, G Kelleher.
J Madigan for A Dennehy (17), Z Biggane for C O’Carroll (h-t), K Cagney for J Buckley (45), DJ Collins for G Gleeson, J O’Brien for T Hawe (both 52).
F Murphy; K Kelly Budds, B Walsh, S Long; R Sinclair, G Wallace Walsh, C Fitzgibbon; E Lane, Ciarán Leahy; D McCarthy, R McCarthy, F Brennan; J Ogbebor, E Keniry, S Smiddy.
P O’Brien for C Fitzgibbon (38), Colm Leahy for S Smiddy (48), D Motherway for E Lane (59).
Ciarán Murphy (Glanworth).
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