LeinsterJHC- Tullogher breeze into semi-finals

They will probably never have a day as easy as this again, but Tullogher-Rosbercon delivered a polished and professional performance as they cantered into the Leinster junior semi-finals.

Two weeks after their big win over Wicklow’s St Patrick’s, Laois outfit Colt-Shanahoe were the latest side to come into the black and amber crosshairs as they were dismantled in Portlaoise.

While their first foray in this year’s championship offered some challenge, Saturday’s quarter-final was as one-sided and facile as you could imagine. Tullogher were in control from the off and while they didn’t rack up a cricket score in the first half, such was Colt’s lack of attacking power they never looked like threatening a comeback.

While the Laois side spluttered along, Tullogher purred with precision. Defending with a high line the half-back trio of Lar Murphy, Pat Hartley - he gave a top class performance once again - and Cathal Mooney dominated the game from the off and barely gave Colt-Shanahoe any possession.

Granted, the home side were hampered by the absence of their main man James Keyes and corner-back Ger Doolin, who failed to have a red card appeal overturned, but their performance over the hour was ragged. Tullogher, on the other hand, made light of the absence of the injured Marty Murphy and roared on with conviction.

It wasn’t long before they had opened a quick lead, all started by a fine point down the left from the free-running Lar Murphy; when it took Colt nine minutes to register a score - a Nathan Dunne point - you began to fear the worst.

That feeling of the possibility of a runaway win grew as Tullogher extended their lead through points from Jason Shiely, Conor Hennessy and Cian O’Donoghue, all built on the industrious play from captain Colman O’Sullivan in midfield.

While the Kilkenny champs looked comfortable, they needed a goal to cement their authority. Enter Conor Hennessy, who raised the first green flag when he broke on O’Donoghue’s 20th minute pass Spotting ’keeper Brian McDermott racing from his line, he showed a cool head and delivered a deft lob that dropped into an unguarded net.

The goal was quickly followed by a flurry of points from Walter Walsh, Jason Shiely and O’Donoghue as Tullogher stretched their lead to 13 points (1-11 to 0-1). The advantage grew when Walsh soloed through to swat a 28th minute shot to the net. With O’Donoghue adding a stylish point from a tight angle, Tullogher looked comfortable with a 17-point cushion at the break (2-12 to 0-1).

A Colt comeback looked a distant possibility, but any grains of hope they had were ruthlessly stomped out within seven second half minutes by Tullogher.

The leaders clipped on another point to their tally through Michael Handrick, a first half sub for the injured Danny Glennon, before they fed their goal hunger again, Colman O’Sullivan soloing through to blast a shot on the run into the bottom left corner of the Colt net.

Tullogher kicked on, adding goal number four on 36 minutes. Handrick started the move, robbing a jaded defender of possession before working the ball to Walter Walsh. A quick hand-pass to Conor Hennessy followed before the net shook again.

With Hennessy quickly adding a point, it was game over with 22 minutes of the game remaining (4-14 to 0-1).

While Tullogher could have been forgiven for taking their foot off the gas they stuck to their task. The Kilkenny side continued to work the ball around with purpose as Hennessy, O’Donoghue and O’Sullivan tacked on points. Walter Walsh wasn’t done either, adding the fifth and final goal for his side when he latched on to Pat Hartley’s booming 51st minute pass and slammed it to the net. Colt did gain a sliver of consolation when Josh Hickey turned a loose ball home four minutes from time, but it was the sole highlight of a forgettable afternoon from their point of view.

As for Tullogher, they’ll expect - and get - a tougher day when they lock horns with Wexford’s Craanford in the semi-final in a fortnight’s time.

Teams and scorers

Tullogher-Rosbercon - Conor Hennessy (2-7); Walter Walsh (2-6); Cian O’Donoghue (0-6, 0-2 frees, 0-1 65); Colman O’Sullivan (1-2); Jason Shiely (0-3); Lar Murphy, Michael Handrick (0-1 each).

Colt-Shanahoe - Josh Hickey (1-0), Nathan Dunne (0-1).

Tullogher-Rosbercon - Davy Walsh; Richard Gill, Donncha O’Connor, Sean Murray; Lar Murphy, Pat Hartley, Cathal Mooney; Jamie Lyng, Colman O’Sullivan; Anthony O’Connor, Cian O’Donoghue, Jason Shiely; Danny Glennon, Walter Walsh, Conor Hennessy.

Subs: Michael Handrick for Glennon (inj), 25 mins; Stephen Lawlor for Mooney, 39 mins; Niall O’Shea for Lyng, 39 mins; Brian Walsh for O’Connor, 41 mins; Billy Ryan for Murphy, 43 mins.

Colt-Shanahoe - Brian McDermott; Ivan Ryan, Brian Guilfoyle, Dan Butler; Ben McDonald, Arran McGowan, David Madden; Dayle Bergin, Owen Joyce; Robert Delaney, Nathan Dunne, Enda Mulhall; Michael O’Connor, Josh Hickey, Cian Moffit.

Subs: Paudie McDonald for Mulhall, 25 mins; Paul Kerwin for C Moffit, 39 mins; Darren Cuddy for Madden, 40 mins; Sean O’Callaghan for Guilfoyle, 42 mins; Robbie Moffit for O’Connor, 42 mins.

Referee - Brian Kearney (Louth).