Red FM Hurling League Div 1 Douglas 27th April 

Douglas 2-20 Carrigtwohill  2-16

The senior hurlers travelled to Douglas on a nice sunny evening, looking to bounce back from the disappointing second half performance against Fr. O’Neill’s in their previous league match eleven days earlier.

The first quarter was evenly contested, with the sides level at 0-04 apiece after 16 minutes.  Daniel Murnane’s long effort from the wing cleared the crossbar and his U18 teammate, Seán Brennan opened his account after a neat sidestep took him into a scoring position.  Seán Walsh converted two frees.  Douglas struck for 1-2 in the next five minutes to go four clear; another Walsh free being Carrig’s reply.  On 21 minutes, Cian O’Riordan fed Seán Brennan who shortened up and goaled from close range to close the gap to a single point.  Douglas dominated the remainder of the half, notching five unanswered points to make it a six point game (1-11 to 1-05) at half-time.

Carrig had a more consistent effort in the second half.  Seán Walsh traded points with Douglas.  Liam Gosnell struck a nice shot over the bar after good work by Jay Horgan.  Douglas then goaled for the second time and added a point immediately.  James Mulcahy cut in for a white flag after a direct ball down the line from Liam O’Sullivan.  A fine angled Gozzy point was cancelled out by Douglas and James Mulcahy doubled his tally after a surge upfield by Murnane.  David Joseph cut through the middle and split the posts after good rucking by Ciano.  It was now 2-14 to 1-11; Carrig just about staying in the game after a hectic third quarter.  Carrigtwohill dominated the next ten minutes with scores from Seán Walsh (three; two frees) and James Mul (two) to make it a three point game (2-16 to 1-16) going into the final five minutes.  Douglas responded with four points late in the game.  Liam O’Sullivan’s ground strike found the net in injury time after he was in the right place to react to a Seán Walsh ball struck in from the wing.

The team played some fine hurling for long stretches of this game and with a bit more consistency, they will see further improvement.

Carrigtwohill Team: Tomás Hogan, David Joseph (0-1), Pádraic Hogan, Pat O’Sullivan, Daniel Murnane (0-1), Seán de Búrca, Aaron Walsh Barry, Jay Horgan, Brendan Twomey, Cian O’Riordan, Liam Gosnell (0-2), Seán Walsh (0-7; 5f), James Mulcahy (0-4), Seán Rohan, Seán Brennan (1-1).  Subs Used: Liam O’Sullivan (1-0), David Rooney, Mark O’Connor.

Management: Frank Flannery (manager), Niall Kidney, Michael Boland, Niall McCarthy, Clive Cremen.

Referee: Pat Lyons (Bishopstown).

[Team photo is from league match versus Killeagh on the 13th April.]