Oran and Tremane spring upsets as Four Roads hold on
St. Dominic's forward Colm Lyons carries possession with Oran duo, Micheál Hussey and Paul Kenny, in pursuit during Sunday afternoon's senior hurling championship match at Woodmount. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin.
Oran put a halt to St. Dominic's early championship prosperity with a thoroughly deserved 1-15 to 1-11 victory in the first of this afternoon's games at Woodmount.
It was another typical showing of resilience from Kieran Farrell's side who, despite being short players, shocked a Dominic's side that had drawn with Four Roads and beaten Pádraig Pearses in their first two outings.
With Paddy Fallon, who contributed 0-11 (eight frees) overall, finding the range from play and frees, Thomas Fallon's sixth minute goal was crucial in establishing a 1-7 to 0-6 interval lead for the winners.
They scored the opening four points of the second half to put a significant buffer between the sides but Dominic's hit back with an unanswered 1-2, the goal coming from Naos Connaughton via a penalty.
But Oran regained their composure, and a hat-trick of Fallon frees in the final ten minutes sealed a famous four-point win.
Darren Gately’s four-goal haul helped Tremane upset the odds as they defeated neighbours Athleague by 6-12 to 2-18.
This game appeared to be moving along expected lines when Robbie Fallon netted a penalty to move his side 1-3 to 0-2 up in the first quarter.
From there, however, Tremane sprung into action. Gately bagged two goals in four minutes after shots from Michael Kellehan and Padraic Brennan dropped short. Gately set up Niall Brennan for goal number three but Athleague ensured the sides would be deadlocked at the break when Fallon buried his second major.
Conor Kavanagh struck for Tremane’s fourth goal in the 38th minute but Ben McGahon’s ten-point haul (six frees) kept Athleague’s interests alive. However, Gately completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute before the corner-forward netted again to seal a dramatic victory.
Four Roads moved top of the pile as they defeated Pádraig Pearses 2-11 to 0-15 in a feisty affair. Both sides finished with 13 men after Pádraig Pearses duo Tomas Sweeney and Eoin Canning saw red, while Four Roads’ Brendan Mulry and John Donoghue were also given their marching orders.
Kerril Wade’s side did the heavy lifting in the first half as they led 2-8 to 0-7 at the interval. Conor Mulry netted after a fine team move before Conor Morris raided for a three-pointer in the 13th minute.
With Mulry forced off at half time, Pearses fought back as they restricted their foes to just three second-half points, all from Cathal Dolan frees. Oisín Kelly struck eight points (six frees and a ’65) but Pearses were unable to find the goal they needed as the reigning champions did just enough.
