29.07.2022
Russell Rovers 2-10
St Catherines 0-10
The old adage of goals win games was proved again as we opened our 2022 hurling championship against familiar opposition at a blustery Killeagh venue on Friday evening. Despite a few enforced changes before throw-in, to a man, the men wearing the black and amber showed tremendous skill, work ethic and discipline to come out on top of this contest.
A tight first quarter, played predominantly in the middle third saw St Catherine’s race into a 0:05 to 0:01 point lead thanks to some long range free taking from the Catherine’s goalkeeper. The Rovers score, a well taken individual score from Brian Hartnett. Both sides were guilty of wayward shooting throughout the half with the Killeagh uprights being tested a few times from Rovers’ efforts.
From the 18th minute Rovers kicked into gear with 3 placed balls from Bud and a brilliantly worked score finished by championship debutant Mark O’Dwyer. Having played into a stiff breeze, Rovers will have been happy to go in at the break level at 5 points apiece.
Catherine’s again started brightly with some early second half scores, but it was the introduction of Josh Beausang which proved the catalyst for our lads with 2-04 scored in a 15 minute period which saw Russell Rovers gain control. The goals from Jack McGrath and Brian Hartnett were worth the admission price alone for the large Rovers support. Catherine’s fought gamely but with Rovers well in control and all playing their part, we comfortably saw the game out on a score line of 2-10 to 0-10.
A very encouraging display from the boys. It was a superb team display and evidence suggests that Seamus Kennefick and his team have the boys in good shape for sterner tests ahead.
