The MLR challenge is getting stronger by the week.
Carlow Senior Hurling Championship Round 4
Mount Leinster Rangers 1-27, Naomh Eoin 0-14
By Leo McGough
The Myshall men were hurling for their championship lives, the Mount Leinster Rangers men were hurling for their championship semi-final seeding. For much of the first half wind assisted Naomh Eoin kept their chances of survival alive and while trailing 0-10 to 0-7, could bemoan the striking of 10 wides as evidence they were ‘in the mix’ and a last four place remained a possibility.
However on Saturday’s restart the Ballymurphy, Rathanna, Borris brigade, the reigning champions, took complete control and by ‘nailing’ a further 1-17 onto the Netwatch Cullen Park scoreboard hammered the final nails in the Naomh Eoin 2024 SHC coffin.
And but for a string of marvellous saves by inter-county goalkeeper Brian Tracey’s Myshall deficit of demise would have been much, much sadder, his first half dive to deny Ciaran Kavanagh and a second half ’stop’ to deny Jon Nolan particularly worthy of note.
The only ball that beat him was a Teddy Joyce strike in the 39th minute when a probing Evan Kealy ball from the left wing terrace was ghosted on to by the scorer slightly to the right of the Deerpark end posts, a hard low shot then dispatched with conviction. 1-13 to 0-9, the game as a contest was over.
Mind you, Rangers added 0-14 after as the battle for starting semi-final jerseys continued. For instance, Eoin Doyle played full forward in the in the opening half, did alright, but Eddie Byrne was introduced to that role on the changeover and did alright.
Young Jamie Nolan, a younger brother of Chris (back next week) and Jon was brought on in attack, scored a nice point and looked lively. His older brother had chipped in with 0-4 from play, Donagh Murphy topped that with a fistful of white flags from play while Teddy Joyce top scored again, 1-5 on this occasion, 1-1 from play with Ciaran Kavanagh’s brace scores of the highest quality.
Plenty of fire-power then in red and black while the backs did what they had to do without being over extended. The introduction of long time regulars Diarmuid Byrne (back from injury) and Paul Coady (back from abroad) for their first SHC action of the season gave notice of intent too.
Apart from the defiant Brian Tracey between the posts, Colm Beck was high on the Naomh Eoin Roll of Honour, 0-4 from play, good scores too, a quality contribution as was Cathal Tracey’s hat-trick of white flags.
The backs battled well early on but were over run in the second half when Rangers use of the bench proved influential.
After a morale boosting first round win over Ballinkillen, Myshall’s season went down hill, fifth of five and out of the semi’s.
– MOUNT LEINSTER RANGERS –
1. Dean Grennan
2. Michael Doyle
3. Michael Joyce
4. Sean Joyce
5. Tony Lawlor 0-1
6. Kevin McDonald (Capt) 0-1 f
7. Evan Kealy
8. Conaill Fitzpatrick
9. Richie Coady
10. Dean Tobin 0-4
11. Teddy Joyce 1-5 0-4f
12. Jon Nolan 0-4
13. Donagh Murphy 0-5
14. Eoin Doyle 0-1
15. Ciaran Kavanagh 0-2
Subs: Eddie Byrne 0-1 for E Doyle h-t
Paul Coady for C Fitzpatrick (39)
Diarmuid Byrne for T Lawler temp (44-49)
Tim Brennan 0-2 for J Nolan (49)
Jamie Nolan 0-1 for C kavanagh (49)
D Byrne (back on) for R Coady 54
– NAOMH EOIN –
1. Brian Tracey
2. Michael Nolan
3. Dwain Kavanagh
4. Tommy Nolan
5. Diarmuid Deacon
6. Eoin Hosey
7. Paddy Doyle
8. Diego Dunne
9. Michael Kavanagh 0-1
10. Cathal Tracey 0-3
11. Scott Tracey 0-1
12. John Michael Nolan 0-1
13. James Smithers
14. Colm Beck 0-4
15. Ciaran Abbey 0-4 3f
Subs: Peter Abbey for C Abbey 41
Referee: Shane Foley
