Glen Rovers trying to get right blend of youth and experience in the league

Glen Rovers got back to winning ways in the RedFM Division 1 Hurling League by digging deep to see off an in-form Douglas side away from home.

Brian O’Connell was on the line with Tomás Mulcahy and the selectors saw their ideas come together in the second half as the club went on to win 2-18 to 0-15 in the pouring rain.

The decisive moment was Patrick Horgan’s 53rd-minute goal, as it propelled the Glen further in front at 2-16 to 0-14, an unassailable advantage. 

The Cork legend ended up with 1-9 in his personal record book, while his teammate Dean Brosnan had 1-4 in his column.

It was a pleasing result for O’Connell and everyone involved. They claimed victory over a Douglas side sitting in the top three of the league standings before throw-in, though they were without key players like Shane Kingston, Alan Cadogan and Mark O'Brien.

“A good, hard-fought win,” said O’Connell in summing up the game.

“Douglas came at us from the start. 

"They came out all guns blazing and we found ourselves under pressure there in the first half, trying to cope with their movement and get to grips with that.

“We came in at half-time, gathered ourselves, went out in the second half with a game plan and we seemed to get on top. 

"In the second half, we just kept building on that momentum then and we got the win in the end. So happy enough with that.” 

EDGY

There was an air of championship intensity about the game as the two clubs battled for everything from the opening minutes, with Douglas emerging on top as they took an early 0-7 to 0-2 lead.

Brosnan’s green flag brought the Glen back into it, and that set up a period that saw the two clubs level three times in fifteen minutes. It was furious, and both sides picked up where they left off at the start of the second half.

The Glen got the win with a scoring surge that included Horgan’s goal from close range, while Douglas were reduced to just five points over the half hour.

It was a pleasing finish for everyone involved in the Glen, especially after a run of form that has seen a draw with Carrigtwohill and defeats to Midleton, Blackrock and Charleville.

“We're happy enough with that - we've a lot of work done,” O’Connell said.

I suppose there was a few of the games there against Charleville and Carrigtwohill and we didn't put in the performance we were hoping to put in. 

"But, I’m happy enough with how we played against Douglas and we'll build on that now as we close out the league games and get ready for a championship.

“If we can get to a league final and if we can win it, happy days,” he added. 

“It'll all help towards building for a championship in August. So bring it on.”

Just three points now separate the Glen in seventh and the Barrs, Douglas and Sars, who are all tied for second place. Midleton, with six wins in a row are as good as qualified for the league final.