Argideen Rangers power past Ballygarvan in Premier Junior Hurling quarter-final

Argideen Rangers 1-21 Ballygarvan 0-14 

Argideen Rangers proved far too strong for Ballygarvan in the Co-Op Superstores Premier Junior A Hurling quarter-final at Ballinspittle.

Argideen simply dispatched Ballygarvan out of this year’s championship in a 14-minute period in the first half, firing over eight consecutive scores without reply. They now face Kilshannig in the semi-final as Ballygarvan were left to reflect on a significant first-half wide count.

Ballygarvan made the better start, but their shooting let them down as Argideen led after six minutes thanks to two early points from Fergal Walsh.

Reaching the 10-minute mark, Argideen held a 0-4 to 0-3 advantage, with Ballygarvan relying on Dylan O’Connor to keep them in touch.

The sides were level on 15 minutes as O’Connor continued to prove deadly from placed balls, with the Carrigdhoun side outscoring Argideen by two white flags to one.

However, Argideen then took control of the contest, hitting eight points on the bounce, with Philip Flynn claiming three of the total.

Ballygarvan had amassed a total of 12 wides before Sean Brady finally found the target on 29 minutes, but it was Flynn who completed his side’s tally as they led 0-14 to 0-6 at the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, the Carbery outfit had racked up an impressive 1-4 to a single score from Evan O’Connor, with the tally including a superb individual goal from Cathal O’Donovan.

To be fair, Ballygarvan created two goal opportunities, but John Sheehan denied them, and Argideen led 1-20 to 0-11 halfway through the second half.

From there to the finish, there was an obvious inevitability about the scoreline, as Mark Kennefick outscored the opposition down the home straight by 0-3 to a single point, but it was all too late as Argideen marched on.

Scorers for Argideen: John Michael O’Callaghan 0-6, Philip Flynn 0-5 (0-2 f), Fergal Walsh 0-4, Cathal O’Donovan 1-1, D O’Donovan 0-2, F Butler, S Henchion, E Lawton 0-1 each.

Ballygarvan: Dylan O’Connor 0-6 (1f, 2×65), Mark Kennefick 0-3 (1f), Evan O’Connor 0-2 (1f), K Murphy, S Brady, K Lyons 0-1 each.

ARGIDEEN RANGERS: D Hurley; J Twomey, G Crowley, F Walsh; S Murray, C Twomey, S Henchion; D O’Donovan, C O’Donovan; P Flynn, E Lawton, F Butler; S Walsh, J O’Callaghan, D Walsh.

Subs: J Crowley for S Walsh (37), P Walsh for D Walsh (47), D Holland for D O’Donovan (52), K Hennessy and C Dineen for J Twomey (55).

BALLYGARVAN: D Mackey; P Ryan, T O’Sullivan, S O’Donovan; K Lyons, M Kennefick, C McIntyre, A Dunne, S Fenton; S Brady, D O’Connor, M Cussen; N Dowd, C O’Regan, E O’Connor.

Subs: K Fitzgerald and K Murphy for A Dunne and C McIntyre (HT), P O’Halloran for N Dowd (45), E Mackey for S Fenton (48), D Bouse for E O’Connor (53).

Referee: Jimmy Smiddy (Castlemartyr).