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            Two Conor Hurley goals for Dohenys left a late Plunkett’s rally falling just short in this Friday evening South West U-21 A hurling championship clash, at Enniskeane.  In the miserable, wet and windy, conditions the winners maximised the strong breeze and led from the off, helped by a third minute goal from Hurley.  Dohenys held their lead throughout and it was only in the dying moments of a competitive encounter that the saints, with Kevin Coffey particularly effective, produced the goods.  However a better balanced winner’s were fortunate to possess an extremely strong defence and it was on this rock the loser’s floundered as the saints got a very poor return from their forwards.  While the loser’s also had a few stars in defence when Dohenys got their goal scoring opportunities they took them.

            None better than corner forward Conor Hurley who netted early o to smooth Dohenys path to a deserved victory.  Plunkett’s were in trouble until they switched Kevin Coffey, by far their best performer on the night, outfield and in the ten minutes before halftime the loser’s enjoyed one of their best spells.  However their scoring returns came from frees as the Doheny backs were well on top of their game while debutante ‘keeper Colm Lynch performed courageously between the posts.  Dohenys Patrick McCarthy was the pick o the bunch in a midfield area where he combined tenacity and talent to serve up a man of the match display.  Keith Sheehan and Conor McCoy swapped positions to their mutual benefit while Tadhg O’Leary was commanding in his full back role in a winner’s defence where Cian Cahalane and Tom Collins completed a solid department.Â

Outside of them Daniel McCarthy hurled steadily while Finbarr Cronin was a revelation and it was largely due to his storming play near the end that Dohenys carried the day.    Up in attack Darren Kelly made some tremendous forward bursts while Denis Cronin picked off a couple of nicely taken points at the start of a game where Dohenys turned over with a five-point halftime lead.  Plunkett’s were slow to restart but once Conor McCarthy settled to hurl confidently in his new centre back role and full back Gary McCarthy continued to excel Plunkett’s slowly reeled in the opposition.  They were within three points of their rivals before Dohenys conjured up another timely goal.  This time Conor Hurley took a pass from the hard trying Liam Murphy before finishing coolly and this forty-ninth minute major was crucial to the winner’s cause, given that Plunkett’s were soon to mount a stirring comeback.  Conor O’Driscoll moved forward to lead their charge but only Kevin Coffey posed any real threat to the winners’ defences.  His late goal and a point put the result in doubt but Dohenys held on after a lively contest, preceded by a minute’s silence for Doheny great Eamon Young who died on the morning of the game.  Â

            Scorers; Dohenys; C Hurley 2-0, J McCarthy 0-5 (0-2 frees, 0-2 ‘65’s), D Cronin 0-2.

            St Oliver Plunkett’s; K Coffey 1-4 (0-3 frees, 0-1 ’65), C O’Driscoll 0-4 (0-2 frees).

            Teams; Dohenys; C Lynch; C Cahalane, T O’Leary, T Collins; D McCarthy, C McCoy, F Cronin; P McCarthy, K Sheehan; D Kelly, J McCarthy, D Cronin; C Hurley, L Murphy, D Crowley.

            St Oliver Plunkett’s; Coffey; K O’Driscoll, G McCarthy, T Hurley; L Murphy, C O’Driscoll, P McSweeney; P Coffey, M Crowley; K Coffey, C McCarthy, J Coffey; K O’Flynn, B Walsh, K O’Brien. Subs; P Collins for O’Flynn, M McCarthy for M Crowley (blood), M Crowley for  M McCarthy.

            Referee; David Whyte, St Mary’s.

I have only seen a couple of the U-14 Hurlers exploits but what I have seen is worth highlighting...

U-14 /////County Champions ////Congratulations to Dickie Forbes, Joe Doyle, Cathal Kelleher and Barry Herlihy, job well done.

 

//01//James Lordan - was outstanding, he pushed Darren Sweetman for man of the match. Dealt with high and low shots, James was at no fault for any of the goals. 

 

//02//Brian O'Sullivan - solid out, the full back line were under alot of pressure, which he dealt with well.

 

//03//Danial O'Driscoll, his picking and striking are a talent which should be not ignored.

 

//04//Donal Rice, Ricey? This man's got the core of his older brother, and plays accordingly …..Say no more….

 

//05//Maurice Murphy, SOLID is not the word for this young fella, I’ve only seen him in action three times but he has a reputation worth upholding. This guy is a Warrior. The Roy Keane of the side……

 

//06//Kieran Daly completes a half back line that has served well over the campaign…another warrior…

 

//07//Darren Sweetman, Captain of the side, has the skill and athleticism to go the whole way in the sport that he chooses. Was man of the match in a county final that tested his resolve…a talent to be nourished….this critic thinks that the club shouldn’t loose his talent to another sport.

 

//08//Stephen O’Driscoll, another talent, plain and simple, he combines the guile of Maurice Murphy and the skill of Darren Sweetman to produce a player for the future…another talent not to be ignored.

 

//09//Brendan McCarthy, a mighty link player, why is he not brought into the game more? He will cause damage to any back line.

 

//10//Christopher Cronin, this guy has talent which

the club needs to focus on……

 

//11//Mark Quinn, This critic can only comment on the recent games but MARKY lives up to his reputation once again, his skill and heart are always evident. Mark is another player whose future should be monitored by the club.

 

//12//Ross Crowley, aggressive and persistent and words to describe Ross, but to say he is Killian’s brother is enough.

 

//13//Kieran Bosma, This guy has an eye for goal which turns out has won this team more games than a county final…..Bos is a hurler whose skills should not be ignored……he has great finishing skills.