Moyne Templetuohy 1-18

Knockavilla Kickhams 3-12

By Mark Dunne PRO

Round two of the County Senior Hurling Relegation ended in stalemate as Moyne Templetuohy looked for their first victory of the relegation campaign.

Moyne Templetuohy opened in the best fashion possible; referee Paddy Ivors had only thrown the ball in, when Martin Kelly had the ball placed in the back of the Kickhams net. John Hassett then added a point from distance to push the lead to four points with 3 minutes played. Kickhams required the stick of David Butler to get them on the scoreboard but it was the men of Moyne Templetuohy who would dominate the next few minutes. Diarmuid Fogarty, Martin Kelly and Tom Meade all added scores to give Moyne Templetuohy a six point lead after 10minutes. Moyne Templetuohy though can thank their goalkeeper Paul Maher who pulled off two terrific saves in the opening minutes. Knockavilla stayed plugging away however and were rewarded as in the 23rd minute a long ball into the Moyne Templetuohy square was not dealt with and corner forward David Butler tapped home from close range to leave the score reading 1-08 to 1-05 with 6minutes left on the clock. The remaining minutes of the game saw both teams’ trade scores and at half time the scoreboard read Moyne Templetuohy 1-11 Knockavilla Kickhams 1-09.

Knockavilla came out in search for the first score of the half and were rewarded. A long ball into the Moyne Templetuohy square was caught by full forward Jerry Hogan who was subsequently fouled by Robert Larkin. The ensuing penalty was neatly dispatched to put Knockavilla a point to the good with 32minutes played. Tom Meade and Diarmuid Fogarty both saw their shots sail between the posts to give Moyne Templetuohy the lead with 35minutes played.  Knockavilla stayed in touch though and once again a mistake in the Moyne Templetuohy defence saw Ger Browne capitalise to give Knockavilla a 3-10 to 1-14 lead. Shortly after though, Knockavilla were handed a devastating blow when full back Eoin Carew saw the line for a second bookable offence. The remaining minutes of the half saw Moyne Templetuohy desperately searching for a winning score but it never came. Moyne Templetuohy though must be disappointed as a brace of chances in the dying minutes all fell short. This result now leaves Moyne Templetuohy on one point with their final game against Moneygall a must win game. Positives though can be taken as Martin Kelly, Thossie Hamill and Robert Larkin all worked hard in what was a tough physical game. Their attention now turns to Moneygall in a couple of weeks’ time as next week is designated to the Football Intermediate Semi Final against Fethard.

Team and scores: Paul Maher, Conor Quinlan, Robert Larkin, Louis Everard, Tom Hassett, Pierce Meade, Niall Russell, Jack Fogarty, Thossie Hamill (0-02), Jason Bergin, John Hassett (0-01), Tom Meade (0-02), Dee Fogarty (0-02), John Coughlan (0-01), Martin Kelly (0-08 Frees, 0-01 65m, 1-01). Subs used: Eoin Ryan for John Coughlan, John Coughlan for Jason Bergin, Eoghan Franks for Jack Fogarty and Diarmuid Leahy for John Hassett.

Referee: Paddy Ivors