James Doyle nailed 2-10 for St Mullins.
Carlow Senior Hurling Championship Round 3
With it being the most common pairing on Carlow SHC final day (over 20 if you include replays), St Mullins and Naomh Eoin crossed swords in the first offering of the round 3 double header on Saturday. The weather, if it had been in Wimbledon, would have brought the covers on more than once.
Speaking of covers, it was Naomh Eoin’s that were breached repeatedly after they had themselves opened the better. The Abbey brothers, along with JM Nolan and Conor Beck, pointed by the 6th minute. St Mullins’ sole reply from Conor Kehoe gave a taste of what was to follow.
By the first quarter’s end, it was 2-6 to 0-4, thanks to a brace of James Doyle goals. The first goal came from an offload and the second after hesitation in the Naomh Eoin rearguard. This was allied to points from Jack Kavanagh, Jason O’Neill (off the hurl), and John Doyle.
The only brief glimmer of hope for Naomh Eoin was Diego Dunne’s score from distance, but Kehoe’s direct running immediately nullified this. His pass to John Doyle resulted in goal number 3, presenting a mammoth task now for the Myshall men playing with the elements. Brian Tracey was given no chance with any of the goals.
The remainder of the half saw scores traded almost equally. Ciaran Abbey’s sideline chip for John Michael to point was a highlight.
With C Abbey and James Doyle swapping frees and John Michael and Doyle trading from play, at the interval, it was 3-9 to 0-9.
Being on the receiving end in last year’s county final of conceding first-half goals, St Mullins knew that just conceding points from here on would probably do the job if not conceding a goal. By minute 36, St Mullins had 4 more, with Colm Beck replying following a good run and Brian Tracey with a free from halfway immediately canceled by Eamon O’Shea. It was now 3-14 to 0-11. The St Mullins restarts were now so quick and accurate that their bench sent extra sliotars to their cúl baire!
The next 20 odd minutes, with the result now all but confirmed, had glimpses from both sides. Kehoe and James Doyle’s athleticism, combined with their skill, made them all but unmarkable on the night. Peter Abbey had a cracking score, Colm Beck’s accuracy stood out and St Mullins subs Oisin Ryan and Paddy Walsh got on the score sheet. The Saints ran out 3-23 to 0-19 victors.
St Mullins 3-23
Subs: Oisin Ryan, Paddy Walsh, Gary Bennett
Naomh Eoin 0-19
Subs: Eoin Hosey
Referee: Patrick Murphy
