Shelmaliers ran out easy winners in their opening game of Captain Michael Barker U21 Hurling championship.
Shelmaliers playing Duffry Rovers in Hollymount against the wind in the first half got off to a great start and were 1-2 to 0-1 in the first five minutes. Conor Byrne and the back line dealing with any danger. Hard work on both sides, seen the teams trade score for score before Tommy Barron put Feargal Hynes through for his second major of the half. Shels went into the break 2-7 to 0-9 up.
On the resumption, Shels now having wind advantage scored nine points without reply with good work being done by James Gordon, Andre O’Brien and Conor Walsh in this period. Duffry replied with 3 points at this stage (2 free’s) before newly introduced Craig Potter goaled after some sterling work from Willie O’Shaughnessy with Ciaran O’Shaughnessy dominant in mid field.Joe Kelly was scoring points and converting free’s at will and Tommy Barron, playing a captain’s role whilst Brendan Barron and Brian Doyle putting in massive work rate to keep Shels on the front foot. Duffry Rovers had a man dismissed at this stage for a second yellow card and when Ronan Kavanagh goaled in the final minutes it was all over for the opponents. Final score 4-24 to 0-13. Overall it was a very strong team performance with the selfless style of playing auguring well for upcoming games.
Team: 1 Brian Murphy, Brian Tobin, Conor Byrne, Shane Griffith, Andre O’Brien, Conor Walsh, James Gordon, Ciaran O’Shaughnessy(0-2), Benny Barron(0-1), Willie O’Shaughnessy(0-4), Joe Kelly(0-11,6F), Brian Doyle(0-1), Feargal Hynes(2-2), Tommy Barron(0-3), Ronan Kavanagh(1-0).
Subs introduced. Noel Mythen, Craig Potter10-0), Aidan Cash, Aaron Watters and Jimmer Doyle.