Junior ‘F’ Hurlers Cruise Through To Championship S-F

(06 Sep 2020)

Castleknock 1-21 St. Pat’s, Palmerstown 1-4

Apart from a brief spell in the third quarter Castleknock completely controlled their final Group game of this Junior ‘F’ Hurling Championship in Somerton this afternoon (Sept.6).

Playing into the wind in the first half Castleknock, with full-back Barry Brennan and centre-half-back Paul Hammel in commanding form, held St. Pat’s scoreless from play, the visitors only score in those first 30 minutes coming from a free, a tribute also to the disciplined tackling of all six backs.

Meanwhile Castleknock scored five points from play and four from frees. Midfielder Hugh Hogan was first to score, added to by four points, three from play, from Gerry Mulryan. A confident looking Joe Kennedy scored three points from dead balls, two frees and a 65’ and Shaun Mealia completed Castleknock’s first-half total of nine points with a well struck score to leave the home team ahead by 0-9 0-1 at the interval.

The third quarter when St. Pat’s scored 1-3, marked the visitors best spell but unshaken Castleknock quickly took back control.

Wing forward Tiago Mantero Belard hit a great point from out on the right followed by another from the in-form Gerry Mulryan. Joe Kennedy tagged on three in-a-row and whatever doubt there was about the outcome ended when, 18 minutes into the second-half, Hugh Feeney rose highest in a crowded goalmouth to flick the sliotar to the St. Pat’s net. Castleknock 1-14 St. Pat’s 1-3. Game over.

Before the end ‘Big Joe’ brought his total for the day to nine points and Gerry Mulryan brought his total to seven points with Hugh Hogan having the final say of the game with two sweetly  struck points.

It was perhaps an easier win than expected and it puts Castleknock through to a Junior ‘F’ Hurling Semi-Final meeting with Erin’s Isle in two weeks time.

Castleknock: Eoin McCambridge; Niall Walsh; Barry Brennan; Aonghus Murray; Joe Kelly; Paul Hammel; Ciarán O’Flannagain; Hugh Hogan (0-3); Stephen Callinan; Tiago Mantero Belard (0-1); Joe Kennedy (0-9); James Doherty; Shaun Mealia (0-1); Paddy McKiernan; Gerry Mulryan (0-7). Subs: Sean Kennedy; Hugh Feeney (1-0); Oisin Dillon; Jack Molloy.   

Management: Patsy Hough; John Kilkenny.
Referee: Stephen Walsh (St. Jude’s)
Report: Kevin Mallon