RedFM Hurling League: Charleville stay in the mix with good win over St Finbarr's
Charleville's Zack Biggane scores a point during Tuesday's RedFM Hurling League Division 1 game at Dr Mannix Sportsfield. Picture: Brendan Gleeson
Charleville put themselves firmly back in the mix for a place in the final of Division 1 of the RedFM Hurling League with victory against St Finbarr’s at Dr Mannix Sportsfield on Tuesday night.
While runaway leaders Midleton have their spot all but secured with a four-point lead after six wins from six, Charleville went into the third-last set of fixtures on six points, two points behind the chasing pack of Barrs, Douglas and Sarsfields.
With their visitors lacking a number of big names, the north Cork hosts led throughout and a six-point half-time lead gave them a strong foundation from which to go on and win.
David Forde was excellent in the Charleville attack as he finished with ten points, showcasing his shooting range from play and dead balls, but it was a strong collective effort as Charleville made their greater experience count, rarely if ever looking like conceding a goal that would give the Barrs a way back into the game.
The wind behind them in the first half, Charleville utilised their outside shooting to good effect as they got four of the first five points inside five minutes, Forde with a couple of beauties.
Centre-back Alan Dennehy dominated in his sector and it was his good work that led to a fine Robert Carroll score – the same player would add two more in a four-point burst that also featured points from Tim Hawe and Conor Buckley as they established an 0-11 to 0-4 advantage by the 16th minute.
That was as big as the lead would get in the first half, with Charleville guilty of some sloppy wide. Frees from Sam Cunningham, who also finished with ten, and two from his midfield partner Eoghan Finn – playing his first game in a year – allowed the away team to reduce the deficit.
There were just four points between the sides, 0-13 to 0-9, as half-time approached but Forde’s fourth and fifth sent Charleville in at the break with more breathing room and hardworking midfielder Seán Bresnan set up his colleague Cathal O’Carroll on the restart.
After Cunningham replied with his sixth, two more in quick succession from Forde made it -0-18 to 0-10 – eight points would be the outer limit of the Charleville lead until the dying moments.
Ricky Barrett and sub Rory O’Sullivan – prior to a premature departure due to a nasty injury – had points as the Barrs had themselves back within six points as late as the 49th minute but the aerial ability of Hawe, Carroll, Cork U20 star Zack Biggane and Forde meant Charleville always maintained a threat.
They finished well, with sub DJ Collins among their scorers, nine points the margin at the end.
D Forde 0-10 (0-4 f, 0-1 65), R Carroll 0-6 (0-2 f), Z Biggane, T Hawe 0-3 each, C Buckley 0-2, A Dennehy, S Bresnan, C O’Carroll, DJ Collins 0-1 each.
S Cunningham 0-10 (0-8 f, 0-1 65), E Finn 0-3, R Barrett 0-2, C Doolan, C Keane, J O’Kelly, R O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
C Reynolds; D Butler, J Meade, J Madigan; F Cagney, A Dennehy, B O’Connell; C O’Carroll, S Bresnan; C Buckley, D Forde, R Carroll; Z Biggane, T Hawe, G Kelleher.
O O’Connell for Madigan (half-time), DJ Collins for Carroll (51).
S Hurley; B O’Connell, S Daly, S Kennedy; T Egan, C Doolan, A Buckley; S Cunningham, E Finn; J O’Kelly, R Barrett, C McCarthy; C Buckley, C Keane, C O’Connor.
R O’Sullivan for McCarthy (28, injured), D Murray for O’Sullivan (58, injured).
C O’Regan (Ballyhea).
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