The second league outing for our Premier Junior Hurlers in the Red FM Hurling League was a successful one, as we took the points away from a wet Rostellan on Sunday March 18th.
Despite the constant rain throughout, the grounds people at Aghada GAA must be commended for their excellently turned out pitches and it was great to see a hive of activity across all pitches.
To the match itself, with both teams down a number of key players, it was an opportunity for others to stake their claims. Rovers raced into the lead with two Luke Duggan-Murray frees and a long range effort from goalkeeper Ross Walsh who added to his football haul the previous weekend. Rovers further punished some wayward Aghada shooting with Shane O’Neill, James Kennefick, and Mark O’Dwyer adding to the scoreboard. As our discipline laxed, Aghada managed to squeeze back into the game which left Rovers up by 3 at half time 0-05 to 0-08.
Aghada, probably a little disappointed with their first half showing upped their work rate in the second half which meant scores were difficult to come by for a period for Rovers. However any concerns of an Aghada comeback was repelled by a rock steady Rovers defence led by Eoghan O’Sullivan, aided to by impressive performances by Kevin Tattan and Paul Lane. Given the worsening conditions, the midfield battle ended up being crucial, with James Kennefick and Luke Duggan-Murray dominating this area. In fact it was Luke who added a couple of points from play in addition to a number of frees to cap off a fine indivdual performance and seal the win for Rovers. Substitutes Ciaran Sheehan, Fintan Murray, Kiaran Aherne and Eogahan Devaney all played their part up to the final whistle which left Rovers with a winning margin of 7 points.
Final Score: Aghada 0-07 Russell Rovers 0-14
Next up for this team is a long distance away trip on April 1st to take on Argideen Rangers of Timoleague.
Panel:
Ross Walsh, Kevin Tattan, Paul lane, James Ahern, Pierce Cummins, Eoghan O’Sullivan, Daniel Moynihan, James Kennefick, Luke Duggan Murray, Jack McGrath, Dan Ruddy, Ruairi Cummins, Shane O’Neill, Cormac Aherne, Mark O’Dwyer. Subs: Eoghan Devaney, Ciaran Sheehan, Shane O’Donovan, Sean Devaney, Tom Morrison, Sam Walsh, Jack Beausang, Donnacha O’Donovan, Kevin Roche, Kiaran Aherne, Stephen Walsh, Fintan Murray, Kevin Ivers, Kevin Moynihan, Aidan Beausang, Jamie Scannell, Brian Hartnett, Kevin O’Brien, Kieran Walsh, Josh Beausang.
