O’Neill brace adds gloss in battle of second teams
SHELMALIERS CONCLUDED their Group B campaign in sun-drenched Bree on Saturday with a convincing display in the Joyces Expert Intermediate ‘A’ hurling championship.
Although two goals by Dylan O’Neill in injury time added gloss to the scoreline, the black and ambers had too many aces for an Oulart-The Ballagh outfit that struggled for extended periods in the first-half in particular.
The defeated side didn’t have the same mobility as the Shels, and though there were periods when the general play was fairly even, Oulart-The Ballagh couldn’t sustain their effort. Shelmaliers always seemed to have another gear to call on.
Though Martin Storey’s men competed better after the interval, they were too dependent on scores from free-taker Garrett Sinnott, and Anthony Storey.
In comparison, the Shels had a forward division that struck 4-8 from play, with Conor Byrne in terrific form from frees, scoring twelve placed balls.
This time last year, the Shels were in a relegation final, where they survived the drop after beating Duffy Rovers.
Now they face into the preliminary quarter-final, where they will meet Davidstown-Courtnacuddy, having finished in third place in their group.
Indeed, they are the second-highest scorers in this championship (behind Geraldine O’Hanrahans).
Having plenty of pace in their side, the winners had raced into a 1-7 to 0-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The goal was provided by Kyle Roche, with the Oulart-The Ballagh defence caught out of position following a long delivery.
With O’Neill clipping over a couple of lovely scores, the Shels enjoyed a constant eight- to ten-point lead.
Shane Neville grabbed his side’s second goal on 27 minutes, netting from a fine run after collecting a Conor Forde pass.
Just on the stroke of half-time, Oulart-The Ballagh gave themselves a glimmer of hope, with Anthony Storey lashing the sliotar to the net following a turnover.
It was 2-10 to 1-7 at the break. And in the opening minutes of the second-half, there was a marked improvement in Oulart-The Ballagh’s general play.
Sinnott tapped over two frees and an effort from play in the space of six minutes. Dylan Butler flashed over a point during this spell when a goal was on.
It was inevitable that the Shels would regain the initiative.
All too often, they mopped up possession and won the race to breaks without their opponents managing to halt their momentum.
Though Oulart-The Ballagh did reduce the gap to seven again through points from Rory Jacob and Tomás Dunne, Kenny Hearne’s side notched up another 3-4 in the final ten minutes.
On 50 minutes Kyle Roche’s shot was saved by Stephen Doyle, but substitute Cathal Harding netted from the rebound.
The experienced Garrett Sinnott gave his side a brief reprieve with a goal from a penalty, a decision that had both sides confused.
But the Shels finished in style, with O’Neill collecting a delightful pass from Conor Byrne to blast to the net, before adding another less than a minute later.
Oulart-The Ballagh’s preliminary quarter-final against Adamstown doubles up as a relegation semi-final.
Shelmaliers: John Sunderland; Shane Kelly, Andre O’Brien, Jack Kelly; Ronan Furlong, Conor Forde, Daniel Ormonde; Dan Campbell (0-2), Hugh Manley; Dylan O’Neill (2-3), Conor Byrne (0-13, 12 frees), Kyle Roche (1-2); Shane Neville (1-0), Páraic O’Leary (0-1), Shane Birney (0-1). Subs. – Cathal Harding (1-0) for Birney (39), Johnny Campbell for O’Leary (45), Aaron O’Neill for Furlong (55).
Oulart-The Ballagh: Stephen Doyle; Seán Murphy, Barry Kehoe, David Rossiter; Niall Nimmo, Bertie Finn, Robbie Cleary; Adam Nolan, Rory Jacob (0-1); Garrett Sinnott (1-11, 0-10 frees, 1-0 pen.), Jim Finn (0-1), Dylan Butler (0-1); Peter Sutton, Anthony Storey (1-2), Tomás Dunne (0-1). Subs. – Eamon Murphy for Butler (43), Ger Kennedy for Cleary (43), Lar Prendergast for J. Finn (50).
Referee: Philip Murphy (Faythe Harriers).