St Mullins were relentless. The Town have it all to do this Saturday.
Carlow Senior Hurling Championship Round 4
St Mullins 4-21, Bagenalstown Gaels 0-8
By Leo McGough
As these teams walked from their Netwatch Cullen Park dressing rooms last Saturday evening to their warm-up patch on the outside pitch they knew from the scoreboard relaying the figures of the curtain-raiser that they would be renewing acquaintance the following Saturday in the Carlow SHC semi-final. Closing round games can often be ‘dead rubbers’ but when the same two teams are destined to be in knock-out opposition seven days later the deadness is increased.
However judging by their line-outs neither team, personnel wise, were taking the foot off the pedal and it is hard to decipher from the actual action whether Bagenalstown Gaels were merely ‘going through the motions’ or if this is the extent of their championship challenge.
It will certainly be difficult to turn around a 25 point deficit in such a short space of time though a mitigating circumstance was the early double yellow card red card for corner back Andrew Casey in the 19th minute. The fact that Craig Doyle also picked up a second yellow card red card late in the game added to the Gaels woes if woes they were. Perhaps they are holding all in reserve for the semi-final?
St Mullins, for their part, continued to their high scoring of previous rounds, leading 1-5 to 0-2 at the time of the first sending off, 1-11 to 0-2 at half-time having played into the stiff enough wind leaving the second half one long stroll suing which the green clad Southerners added a hefty 3-10 their tally to the Gaels 0-6 in reply.
And when we record their scoring stars the ‘usual suspects’ appear, topped, of course, by Paul Doyle who week after week torpedoes over points from tight to the sideline, last week from the stand side into the dressing room goals, this week from the terrace sideline in the same goals much to the delight of the St Mullins supporters congregated on the nearby concrete.
Indeed hurlers with the surname Doyle contributed 1-16 of the winners tally, Paul’s single white flag supplemented by the ever accurate James’ 0-10 (7 frees, 2 ’65’s, a gem from play) and big John’s high quality 1-5. Throw in Marty Kavanagh’s 1-2 and Jason O’Neill’s 1-1 and you have the bulk of the St Mullins tally.
O’Neill’s goal came as early as the 2nd minute, finished from close range having been set up by John Doyle. Mouse’s goal arrived in the 42nd minute, a rising pile-driver from the left of the posts after a terrific run by substitute Oisin Ryan. The Doyle’s, James (slick pass) and John (clever batted finish) combined for the third in the 47th minute and the fourth green flag arrived two minutes from time, the Doyle’s again involved before sub Patrick Walsh billowed the net from close range.
But for Bagenalstown Gaels alert goalkeeper Andrew Townsend his side would have fallen to a far heavier defeat, ‘Gange’ denying the winners at least three further goals with top class saves. Alan Corcoran was marking ‘Mouse’ and right well he did too, Alfie using all his craft and experience to curtail his former inter-county colleague. Looking forward to a fascinating re-match when the stakes are higher. That re-match is in Netwatch Cullen Park next Saturday at 5.30pm
– ST MULLINS –
1. Kevin Kehoe
2. Ciaran Harris
3. Paudi O’Shea
4. John Doran
5. Ger Coady (Capt)
6. Paul Doyle 0-1
7. Paudie Kehoe
8. Eamon O’Shea
9. Michael Walsh
10. Jack Kavanagh
11. James Doyle 0-10 7f, 2 ’65’
12. Conor Kehoe 0-1
13. Jason O’Neill 1-1
14. John Doyle 1-5
15. Marty Kavanagh 1-2
Subs: Patrick Walsh 1-0 for P kehoe (h-t)
Oisin Ryan for J Kavanagh (h-t)
Gary Bennett for J Doran (44)
Sean Connolly 0-1 for M Kavanagh (48)
– BAGENALSTOWN GAELS –
1. Andrew Townsend
2. Andrew Casey
3. Alan Corcoran
4. Eoghan Dowling
5. Cian Doyle
6. Darragh Nolan 0-2 2f
7. Niall Bolger
8. Jack McCullough
9. Sean Wall
10. Jamie Clarke 0-1
11. Andrew Kane
12. James Doyle
13. Keelan Guidera 0-1
14. Jake Doyle 0-2 1f
15. Craig Doyle 0-2
Subs: Darren Crooks for J Doyle (21)
Thomas Maher for D Crooks (46)
Ross O’Neill for E Dowling (53)
Referee: Patrick Murphy
