Ross O'Sullivan in lethal form as Na Piarsaigh complete remarkable turnaround against Fermoy
Na Piarsaigh's Padraig Guest breaks past Fermoy's Peter Murphy during the Co-Op Superstores SAHC at Castlelyons. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Hard to believe Na Piarsaigh trailed by 11 points after 20 minutes and yet ended up beating Fermoy by 10, in their crucial Co Op Superstores Senior A Hurling Championship clash at sun-drenched Castlelyons on Saturday.
Na Piarsaigh’s defence conceded three goals in the opening 10 minutes and they looked like they were in serious trouble, having lost their opener.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going and credit to the entire Na Piarsaigh side, who showed their management and loyal fans they have the required fire in their bellies to make a bid for the title.
Following a dismal opening round defeat to Erin’s Own, the alarm bells were ringing at the Farranree club but Ross O’Sullivan, returning from his spell in New York, certainly made a huge difference in this clash.
Man of the Match O’Sullivan finished with an 11-point tally, nine from play, and Daire Connery was also outstanding with seven white flags. Yet centre-back Cian Buckley brought stability to his side when the game was running away from them.
Fermoy came out of the blocks like a team possessed despite the city side taking the lead following a Daniel Scanlon point. However, David Lardner punished some dreadful Na Piarsaigh defending to blast the ball to the back of the empty net.
Worse was to follow as Na Piarsaigh were carved open again with consecutive goals coming courtesy of Fionn Lardner and Ben Twomey.
The Farranree were struggling in defence but their management made a few positional changes. Yet after David Lardner split the posts in the 20th minute, it increased the Fermoy advantage to 11 points: 3-6 to 0-4.
Na Piarsaigh completely changed gears in a 10-minute period as Ross O’Sullivan and Daire Connery began getting on the ball and scoring. Kevin Moynihan added two monstrous points and they managed to reduce the deficit to the minimum at the break, 3-7 to 0-15.
On the restart, Ross O’Sullivan showed his quality with a strike 80 yards out and suddenly the teams were on parity.
Fermoy lacked leadership and shape when the pressure came on them as Na Piarsaigh were winning the majority of dirty ball.
Over many years, Patrick Rourke has given unblemished loyalty to Na Piarsaigh and it was fitting he produced a monstrous point midway through the half that edged his side into a two-point lead.
On the rare occasions that Fermoy threatened Na Piarsaigh’s defence, Buckley mopped up everything in sight.
Playing with the aid of a stiff wind, Na Piarsaigh struck some very classy points as Fermoy looked a deflated side in the closing minutes.
The sound of the final whistle was greeted with elation by Na Piarsaigh players but they need to dust themselves down for a must-win game against Killeagh in two weeks, where the same courageous hurling will be needed to remain in this championship.
R O’Sullivan 0-11 (0-2 f), D Connery 0-7 (0-4 f), P Guest, K Moynihan, D Scanlon, C Hogan 0-3 each, P Rourke, C Buckley 0-1 each.
F Lardner 1-7 (0-4 f), D Lardner 1-1, B Twomey 1-0, S Aherne 0-2, C Roche, D Daly, J O’Keeffe 0-1 each.
L Donovan; K Buckley, D Scanlon, A Higgins; G Healy, C Buckley, E Gunning; C Meaney, K Moynihan; L Sheehan, P Guest, P Rourke; D Connery, R O’Sullivan, O Galvin.
D Gunning for O Galvin (20), C Hogan for D Gunning (inj 25), P Murphy for P Guest (60).
H Bates; C Roche, B Twomey, J Molloy; M Brennan, J O’Brien, C Fitzpatrick; B Daly, P Murphy; D Daly, S Aherne, D Lardner; F Lardner, D O’Callaghan, J O’Keeffe.
K Morrison for B Daly (45), J Ring for J O’Keeffe (54).
Ian McCarthy (Bandon).
App?
