Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge – Round 2 (Groups A – G)

Group A

GALWAY MAROON 3-16 NORTH TIPPERARY 1-13

By Declan Fitzpatrick

North Tipperary suffered a heavy defeat on home turf in McDonagh Park Nenagh to a very strong Galway Maroon side, who dominated most of this match.

The Galway boys had a point on the score board in the first minute from a free by Adam Reilly. Reilly again had his name on the score sheet with a goal minutes later. Jack Lee responded with a point from a free, Galway again scored with a point from play from Jack Kelly.

Jack Lee converted a free in the seventh minute, but for the remainder of the first half Galway Maroon completely over powered the Tipp boys in most positions on the field, with another goal from Galway’s corner forward Conall Keane, points from Luke Prendergast, Mark Hardiman, Bobby Concannon, Jamie Treacy, and Donal Parr. For Tipp Jack Lee converted six points in the half, five from placed balls, Oisin Murphy also tried hard with a well-earned point from play. Galway Maroon led 2-10 to 0-7 at half-time.

The second half started with a lively effort from Tipp, they were quick on the scoreboard with point from Conor Power one of four substitutions made at the break. Jack Lee added with another free, but it was Oisin Murphy who took the lead for the Tipp lads and added four points from play in the second half.

Also in assistance was Cian O’Dwyer who raised the green flag following a terrific 50-yard run, the Tipp boys finally getting into their stride which was led by Conor Hennessy at centre back who dominated this line for most of the second half, unfortunately for the Tipp side Galway got in behind the defence to shoot the ball to the back of the net thus ending Tipp’s comeback.

The Tipp lads can take some heart from the second half scoreline, they matched the Galway men’s score at 1-6 each. The poor start to the match unfortunately caught the Tipp side, but it was a convincing win for Galway Maroon as they proved the much stronger team on the night.

Oisin Murphy earned himself the award for Best and Fairest player for a solid performance throughout the match.

Scorers for Galway Maroon: Adam Reilly 1-4 (3fs), Jack Kelly 0-1, Luke Prendergast 0-2, Mark Hardiman 0-2 (1f), Bobby Concannon 0-1, Conall Keane 1-0, Donal Parr 0-1, Jamie Treacy 0-1, Niall Fitzgerald 0-1, Paddy Commins 1-1.

Scorers for North Tipperary: Jack Lee 0-8 (7fs), Oisin Murphy 0-5, Cian O’Dwyer 1-0, Conor Power 0-1

Group C

DUBLIN PLUNKETT 1-18 OFFALY 3-10

By Lynne Hutchinson

Offaly took on Dublin Plunkett in their second match of the Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge competition on Wednesday the 9th of May in Brendan’s Park, Birr. With only seconds gone in the match Dublin conceded a free giving Offaly the first point courtesy of free taker Mark Cahill. A minute later Dublin got their first point from play. Offaly began to pull away slightly with Luke Wyer and Joe Ryan adding a point each to the score board from play, while Mark Cahill also got another point from a free. Dublin did not give up and fought back resulting in them getting the next three points all from play. There was nearly 19 minutes gone on the clock when the ball dropped short of the goal line and full forward Joe Ryan managed to get his hurl to the ball and knock it into the back of the net.

Both teams got two more points each from frees’ and a point each from play before the half time whistle was blown. Offaly’s points came from Mark Cahill’s placed balls while Niall Lyons got a super point from play leaving Dublin only trailing by a goal.

David Murray was the first substitution for Offaly and what an impact he made when he was brought on. Not only did he get Offaly’s first point of the second half, he also made the perfect pass to substitution Ronan Cleary who buried it in the back of the net getting Offaly their second goal. David Murray kept Offaly very much in the game by getting them their third goal and by his determination of never giving up till the end also gained him the best and fairest award of the match.  

Even though Offaly kept the lead for most of the match it was Dublin who was dominating the game and was getting most of their scores from play while Offaly only managed to get a total of four points from play. There was only ten minutes left in the match when Dublin received a free. Unfortunately for Offaly they read it wrong and headed up in the back of the net bringing it back to a draw and anyone’s match. Mark Cahill scored two more points from frees and also got a point from a 65, while Dublin scored 11 points in the second half. Offaly had two more chances before full time to bring it a draw match, but it just wasn’t their day giving Dublin the win. Final score Dublin 1-18 Offaly 3-10.

Best and Fairest Players: David Murray (Offaly) and Darach McBride (Dublin Plunkett)

Group D

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MEATH 4-14 WESTMEATH 1-10

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A barrage of early scores with the strong breeze at their backs put Meath in the driving seat for their first win of the Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge campaign against a Westmeath side, who battled back strongly in the second half to make a real contest of it.

A testament to Meath’s all-round team play is that 10 different players got on the scoresheet, Alex O’Kane setting the ball rolling in the first minute and Sean Murphy doing enough to put pressure on the goalkeeper and allow Niall Bagnall’s strike find the net. Stefan Holzner clipped over a couple of points on a night when he picked up the Best and Fairest Award. Luke Horan was the anchor man in an impressive half-back line with Ciaran Browne and Adam Boyle giving Meath a strong platform and Niall Bagnall and Daire Flynn drove things on from midfield.

Goals from Seán Murphy and brother and team captain Fionn Murphy helped Meath to a 3-11 to 1-1 lead at half-time but Westmeath fought gamely to hit six points in a row in the second half. Bar a couple of missed goal chances it would have been closer but Aaron Traynor and Ruairi Coulter were part of a solid backline. Cormac Ryall and Ciaran Regan also hit quality scores for Meath and Fionn Murphy grabbed a goal right at the end to round things off before next Wednesday’s third round match against Wicklow. 

**WICKLOW 1-21 CARLOW 1-11 **

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Carlow’s Celtic Challenge Hurling Squad got their first of four games started in Netwatch Training Centre, Fenagh, on Wednesday against Wicklow.

Wicklow started impressively and dominated the opening minutes of the game. However, Carlow played themselves back into contention with three fine points from play.

Securing possession in the middle third Wicklow were controlling the pace of the game and as half -time approached they were 0-12 to 0-6 in front.

On the resumption of play the pace from both teams was increased and there was a Championship edge to the game. However, Wicklow’s physicality and team play led to them opening gap on the score board.

Carlow responded with some fine points from frees and then a goal arrived to claw back the chance of winning a game that seemed to be slipping away. However, Wicklow too found the back of the Carlow net and ran out winners.

Carlow play Kildare next in NTC on next Wednesday evening, while Wicklow will take on Meath in Bray Emmett’s GAA Grounds.

Best and Fairest Players: Jordan Brennan (Carlow) and Rory Lambe (Wicklow).

Group E

KILKENNY 3-14 SOUTH TIPPERARY 2-16

By Fergus McGrath

Kilkenny emerged victors over South Tipperary by the narrowest of margins at the MW Hire Training Centre in Dunmore, Kilkenny on Wednesday night.

Emerging out of the blocks very quickly Kilkenny had 1-2 on the scoreboard before the visitors registered their first score from a free by Darragh Fitzgerald.

Whereas South Tipperary eventually found their feet with four unanswered points, the first-half was dominated by an impressive Kilkenny team who showed plenty of firepower from all over with six different players contributing to their half-time score of 1-9 with South Tipperary returning a total of 0-8.

Just as Kilkenny scored 1-2 early in the first half South Tipperary did likewise in the early stages of the second half and in doing so they took the lead for the first time. The South Tipperary goal came from Ben Ryan with the two points coming from centre forward Mark Stakelum.

The South Tipperary lads refused to give in though and as both sides swapped points Aaron Moloney for South Tipperary stepped up to the plate with a tremendous goal to level the match.

With tension at fever pitch, the final whistle imminent and players giving it their all a brace of Kilkenny pointed frees either side of a Cian Mooney point for South Tipperary secured a one point victory for Kilkenny in what was a very entertaining game. Credit is due to all players on both sides.

Best and Fairest Players: Paddy Dullard (Kilkenny) and Lorcan Carr (South Tipperary)

EAST CORK 1-17 WATERFORD 1-13

By Eoin Breathnach

After the disappointment of a 10-point loss in Round 1 this was a much-improved performance from a Waterford side, who consider themselves very unlucky not to get anything other than losing bonus point from an entertaining game against East Cork. Played in Ballinameela in a pitch in good condition Waterford had the better start with a point from Tadhg Ryan followed by an excellent goal from Tommy Carberry who soloed through the middle and finished to the corner from 21m line.

East Cork settled after the opening 10 minutes and got on the scoreboard with two fine points from play and two frees. Waterford finished the half strongly with excellent points from play by wing forwards Chris Kavanagh and Michéal O’Floinn leaving the Déise ahead 1-10 to 0-5 at half time with East Cork to have the wind advantage in 2nd half.

East Cork started well with the opening four points of the half before Sean Lennon got a fine point from play. A goal put East Cork two points ahead and despite a couple more score from Waterford the young rebels finished strong and won out by four points in the end.

Best and Fairest Players: Seán Walsh (East Cork) and Ciarán O’Neill (Waterford).

Group F

**LOUTH 1-11 CAVAN 0-8 **

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Cavan opened their Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge campaign against Louth in Mullagh. Played in almost perfect conditions, this was a competitive game up to the final quarter with the Louth lads finishing stronger to run out six-point winners.

Louth talisman Seán Kerrisk opened the scoring after two minutes with a free quickly followed by a James Smith free to equalise. Both sides exchanged scores to leave the visitors 0-4 to 0-3 ahead after eighteen minutes with Louth points from Jack Tobin (0-2) and Seán Kerrisk. The Cavan scores came from Cootehill duo Conor Shalvey and Brandon McGerty.

Cavan then had their best period of the game scoring four unanswered points for the remainder of the half from James Smith (0-3) and Philip McCabe to put Cavan three up at the break, 0-7 to 0-4.

The only green flag of the game was raised when Seán Kerrisk netted early in the second half to level the game. Louth would dominate the remainder of the half scoring seven points to Cavan’s one. The Cavan lads battled throughout led by Conor Masterson in defence who was superb and deservedly received the ‘Best and Fairest’ award by the match referee. Ross O’Gorman created a spark in front of goal when moved into the attack, but the Cavan lads just couldn’t convert their chances. For Louth, Seán Kerrisk, T.J. Doheny, and Conor Quigley all impressed with the latter picking up the ‘Best and Fairest’ award for the visitors.

Best and Fairest Players:

Conor Quigley (Louth) and Conor Masterson (Cavan).

Scorers for Louth: Seán Kerrisk 1-6 (4fs), TJ Doheny 0-2, Jack Tobin 0-2, Ben Goss Kieran 0-1.

Scorers for Cavan: James Smith 0-5 (4fs), Conor Shalvey 0-1, Brandon McGerty 0-1, Philip McCabe 0-1.

LOUTH: Jay Hughes, Craig Callan, Conor Quigley, Neil Boylan, Kyle Rafferty, Eoghan Ryan, Ciaran Brennan, TJ Doheny, Ben Goss Kieran, Michael Belton, Sean Kerrisk, Seamus Birch, Josh Murtagh, Jack Tobin, Tommy Metcalfe.

CAVAN: Ross O’Gorman, Fionn Fleming, Jamie Masterson, Dwayne Mulvey, Sean McMahon, Conor Masterson, Cian Farrelly, James Smith, Philip McCabe, Brandon McGerty, Conor Smith, Odhran Keating, Conor Shalvey, Cormac Smith, Gary Tully, Tadgh Larkin, Cian Smith, Colin McCauley, Conor Bannon, Caelum Faughnan, Declan Mernagh, Gavin Fitzpatrick, David Emmo, Morgan Hall, Aaron Crowe, Conor Harten, Dylan Greenan, Kian Donohoe.

Group G

SLIGO 1-18 DONEGAL 1-6

Sligo were the dominant team throughout this match. With the help of the breeze Sligo had five points on the board before Donegal got their first score after twelve minutes of play. Sligo had wind advantage and had most of the possession. They could have been further ahead, but for the work of Keenan Barrett and Lochlann O’Dea in the backs for Donegal as well as the James Hartnett who found the back of the net just before the half-time whistle with a very well taken goal to leave the score at half time Sligo 0-9 Donegal 1-2.

Sligo started the second half in a similar manner to the first putting up 1-04 without reply despite playing against the wind. The goal came from substitute Blaine Waters on the twelfth minute despite the best efforts of Donegal’s Darragh McCormack and Keenan Barrett. Donegal never gave up and battled hard until the final whistle although there was only going to be one winner-Sligo.

This was a real team performance from the Sligo side with much improvement from the first game. Eoghan Rua Mc Gowan did very well at full back. Fionn Connolly, Cahan Hallinan, Fionn Moylan and Niall Kilcullen were excellent throughout. Thomas Cawley was in top form scoring nine points, six from frees, one 65' and two from play. Daire Cawley received the Best and Fairest Award for Sligo for a great performance in the half back line.

Donegal had good performances from Keenan Barrett, Lochlann O'Dea, James Hartnett and Liam O'Doherty before he got injured. Darragh Mc Cormack picked up the Best and Fairest Award.

Best and Fairest Players: Daire Cawley (Naomh Eoin, Sligo) and Darragh McCormack (Carndonagh, Donegal)

See www.gaa.ie/celticchallenge for fixtures, results and the full list of Best & Fairest Recipients.