Tremane on top as Four Roads and Pearses get off the mark
Peter Kellehan netted twice as Tremane maintained their unbeaten start to this year's championship
Tremane took sole custody of top spot in the Kepak Senior Hurling Championship as they downed Oran.
The winners sit top with five points from their opening three games as they handed Oran their first defeat of the campaign. Meanwhile, Four Roads and Pádraig Pearses rebounded from opening round defeats to leave themselves back in the hunt for a top two finish and a direct route to the semi final stage.
Tremane’s vast improvement on last year’s championship continued, as they recorded a seven point victory over Oran at Rockfield.
Two Evan Murray goals in the opening half set Tremane up well. But with the home side waiting to avail of the moderate breeze in the second half, their 2-8 to 0-11 lead at the interval wasn’t insurmountable.
However two more goals from Peter Kellehan, the second from a free meant Tremane were able to keep an Oran side, without Paul Kenny, at arms length.
Paddy Fallon, who finished with a tally of 1-10, netted from a free. However, he received a second yellow late on, summing up a frustrating evening for Oran.
Four Roads got back on track following their opening round defeat to St. Dominic’s as they downed a determined Athleague. The winners struck the final six points to secure a slightly flattering but deserved victory.
Cormac Kelly struck three superb points from play for Athleague in the opening half, but Four Roads possessed the greater spread of threats as six different players found the target to ensure they led 0-10 to 0-9 at half time.
Athleague battled valiantly against the wind but Cathal Crehan's 44th minute point was their only score from play in the second half. His effort tied the game for the seventh and final time as Four Roads gradually took over.
Gary Fallon replied with a free to a Rory Coyle brace but Four Roads kicked into gear late on. Conor Morris struck five scores while his brother Tommy added another against an Athleague side who finished with 14 men following Eoghan Coyle's second yellow card in injury time.
Pádraig Pearses kickstarted their campaign as they romped to a 19 point victory.
Cathal Kelly’s side never trailed and in truth were comfortable throughout. Opening half goals from Michael Kelly and Daniel Staunton helped Pádraig Pearses lead by 10 points approaching half time. Richard Walsh’s superb solo goal gave Roscommon Gaels hope, as they trailed 2-7 to 1-3 at half time.
Liam Naughten’s 37th minute point was his side’s only score of the final period as Pearses, aided by the return of key personnel, including Daniel Mooney who excelled in firing over 0-4, ran amok.
After Naughten’s effort, the Woodmount based side fired over 0-12 without reply on a day when 11 different players found the target for the winners.
