AHL9: Dalkey, 11 March 2018
Cuala 6-25 v 2-7 Réalt Dearg C The mystery of the disappearing C men continues to confound the Realt Dearg massive as an outstanding first half performance in Dalkey was followed, as it was 2 weeks ago, by a desperately frustrating second where we battled to the death but couldn't get a handle on fresher opponents. Stripped of their leader as Cillian 'family man' Thornton had more pressing matters to attend to (More pressing than Cuala away??!! I hear you cry) The C men took to the field led by ruggedly handsome new captain and determined to make amends for a second half collapse against Clontarf. And the stars were straight out of the blocks, Dave Sheehan blasting to the net entirely on purpose from a 30 yard free in the opening minutes. Resisting the urge to park the bus , the men in red and black went about adding to their lead only to find their opponents middle third a serious handful, not least your humble scribe looking particularly leaky on the wing in his struggles to deal with a rangy young wing forward. The All Ireland Champions (kinda) were soon back in the game, picking off four scores to no reply before the stars managed to get their hurling hats back on. But recover they did and for the remainder of the half, no quarter was given or asked as the sides went score or score, one of the highlights coming courtesy of a stunning long range point from young Ciaran Flanagan which dropped just inside the left upright. Clearly the young tyro has been watching his brother Gary Hurney closely in training It was Sheehan who led his team to the front again, stretching to get a flick onto a long delivery and finding the net for his second major, to go with a handsome haul of placed balls. Ruairi Henchy repaid his manager's decision to push him forward to the 40 with some classy scores, and the returning Brian Finn showed everyone just what we've been missing with an 'all pullin, all draggin' exhibition of midfield play. The half time scoreline flattered the hosts, as the on-fire Bernard Herlihy was finally beaten at the 5th attempt for a late goal to make it Cuala 1-12 Realt Dearg 2-6 at half time. Hopes of pulling off a shock were high, but ominously the teams were made to wait for the second half throw in as the referee struggled to get his head around no fewer than 5 Cuala half time substitutions. The writing was on the wall early in the second half as the fresh legs in the middle told and even a shot stopper of Herlihy's talents could not contend with the quality of ball being launched into the square. The full back line of James Brookes, Gav O'Connell and newly relocated to the back division Dave Lynch could only battle for so long before they were eventually swallowed by the red and white tide like their colleagues further out. Despite the scoreline Kev McEvoy will take some solace from a game where Cuala were made to fight for every ball until the very end, and with a few reinforcements the Cs will feel confident of turning over anyone Junior F has to offer in 4 weeks time. With Cuala and Clontarf fancied to be close to the top of the league and now out of the way there is plenty of reasons to be hopeful looking forward. Finally congratulations to our latest debutant James Egan who played the full 60 at wing back and never stopped running, leaving his opposite number with just the right amount of scars, both physical and mental. Réalt Dearg C: Bernard Herlihy, James Brooks, Gavin O Connell, Dave Lynch, Gary Walsh, Colin Swanton, James Egan, Ciaran Flanagan, Ger Kennedy, Richie Phelan, Ruairi Henchy, Leon Flanagan, Niall Heavy, Dave Sheehan, Brian Finn.
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AHL8: Drimnagh Castle, 11 March 2018
Réalt Dearg B 3-5 v 1-9 St. Peregrine’s Savage workrate was the order of the day at the Field of Drims where the Killer Bs finally got Réalt Dearg’s first competitive victory of the 2018 hurling season. In the aftermath of last week’s unseasonal snowfall, and with a host of fixtures across the county falling prey to postponement and cancellation, the sod in Drimnagh Castle was well-tested on this Sunday afternoon. While conditions underfoot were certainly challenging, it did not dampen the Stars men’s desire to kick-start their season with a much-needed victory. The ball was fiercely competed for in the opening exchanges by both sides, the Penguins also looking to put a first entry into the W column on the league table. While the scoring in those exchanges may have been low, the entertainment level was continually high as only absorbingly combative hurling games can be. Junior hurling it may be, but the desire and passion on display (evidenced by some notable examples of single and even double fist-pumping on occasion) was of inter-county standard. With scores difficult to come by, some class and guile was needed to break the deadlock. In the fashion of the truly cock Dub that he is, this was duly provided by Kevin Deady first-timing a centre to the net following some beautiful approach work on the left wing. The corner-back’s attempt to exact retribution shortly afterwards with a crunching shoulder to the chest was only met with some devilish taunting from Danger for the rest of the game. Some more luxurious hurling minutes later yielded a second major. Ed Kavanagh expertly picking out Colm Walsh, unquestionably man-of-the-match on the day, with a carefully measured short puck-out. Walsh in turn found the looping run of Rory O’Loughlin who collected without breaking stride, turned the full-back inside-out before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the far corner. Three strikes and you’re picking it out. The second half continued in the same tete-a-tete fashion with the 5 point cushion held at the changeover giving the Stars men some breathing space. Never quite managing to shake off the Peregrine’s challenge, the sight of Martin Murphy entering the fray, after his new Sat Nav had finally picked up the coordinates for the Stepaside training pitch on Wednesday evening, was a welcome sight. Murphy’s contribution of 1-1 over the final 10 minutes helped the Stars men over the line in the end, but not after some nervy moments which yielded a goal and a point for the Penguins themselves from frees dropped in as time petered out. While this game was won by being ahead on the scoreboard in the end, in another way, it was won by the never-say-die attitude and willingness to take punishment displayed all over the pitch by the Réalt Dearg men. The hurling mantra that defence starts in the full forward line was never better evidenced than this display of force by the Stars vanguard. Tormentor in chief was Shane Murphy who continually harassed and harried for even the slightest sniff of possession, giving his direct opponent a torrid time all through. While Murphy didn’t get the goal his tenacity deserved, he certainly set the standard of work-rate which prevailed throughout the team. At the back, Kieran “Mushie” O’Brien swatted away any potential danger like flies on a sunny afternoon. Captain DOC led by example driving ball-after-ball away from the dangerzone and the aforementioned Colm Walsh took to the unfamiliar wing-back position like the proverbial duck-to-water. The defensive display was tinged with some sadness however as it was possibly the last occasion we will get to see the swashbuckling Brad Harte embarrassing “nippy” and not so nippy corner forwards. His imminent return to the People’s Republic will result in the loss of one of the clubs most seasoned campaigners, a man who has contributed handsomely to the development of the club on and off the field over many years. His meting out of special punishment to Fancy Dan-types sporting Underarmour-style tights will be most-favourably remembered. Réalt Dearg B: Ed Kavanagh, Brad Harte, Kieran O’Brien, David O’Connell, Colm Walsh, Ciarán Gough, Ronan Moloney, Tomás O’Mahoney, Brian Gavin, Shane Casey, Niall Mullane, Tom Kehoe, Shane Murphy, Rory O’ Loughlin, Kevin Deady Ciarán Brennan, Gavan Manifold, Martin Murphy, Brendan Walsh, Colm Gahan |
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December 2018
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