Senior hurlers win again

Our senior hurlers made it 2 out of 2 in the championship, with a fine win over Rathnure last night in a close and tense game. 15 to 12 points final result. Well done to all.

Shelmaliers met Rathnure in Farmleigh in the second round of the championship. Shels lost influential Tommy Barron on the throw in with a suspected broken finger. Eoghan Nolan replaced him as a blood sub but unfortunately Tommy was unable to return to the field of play. Eoin Doyle with a fine run opened Shels account inside the opening two minutes. Keeper Brian Murphy dealt ably with a danger shot from Rathnure; however Rathnure opened their account moments later. Joe Kelly with a side-line cut on the 21 yard line notched Shelmaliers 2nd point with Rathnure levelling matters in reply. Conor Byrne converted a free to put Shels back in the lead but in this close and tense game the next two scores were by Rathnure for them to go into the lead for the first time in the match 4-3 with 23 minutes gone. Shelmaliers then stepped up a gear and hit 5 points within the last 6 minutes of the half (Ciaran O’Shaughnessy, Joe Kelly Brian Malone, Stephen Banville and Conor Byrne (F) whilst Rathnure working hard to stay in touch managed two points in the same period to leave Shelmaliers go into the break -08 to – 06 ahead.

On the resumption Shels maintained their lead though at times it was only the bare minimum. The game was nerve wracking as both teams traded point after point. Shels points coming from Eoin Doyle, Conor Byrne (3F), Ciaran O’Shaughnessy and Joe Kelly (2).  One of Conor Byrnes frees was from 90 yards. Jack Guiney was on form for Rathnure with his free taking and but for the quick reaction of the on form Joe Kelly, he might have had a goal from a 21yard free. Conor Walsh also had a good clearance to deal with a dangerous ball. Corner back Simon Donohoe saw his effort just barely drift wide. Aidan Cash (who had been blood subbed earlier) was everywhere and managed to turn over the ball several times for Shelmaliers as well as blocking a certain score. In the final minutes Benny Barron did well to foil a short free. Eoin Doyle was strong in midfield with Ciaran O’Shaughnessy and Joe Kelly  an ever present danger for Rathnure.

Team: Brian Murphy, Andre O’Brien, Aidan Murphy, Simon Donohoe. Conor Walsh, Benny Barron, Aidan Cash, Eoin Doyle (0-2), Tommy Barron, Joe Kelly (-04), Brian Malone (0-1), Ciaran O’Shaughnessy (Capt), (-02), Shane Griffith, Stephen Banville (0-1), Conor Byrne (0-5F).

Subs introduced Eoghan Nolan and Alan Griffith.