Barrow Rangers blitz Drumcullen in opening Leinster Junior clash

Kilkenny junior hurling winners Barrow Rangers ran out impressive 12 point victors as they saw off Drumcullen in Gowran earlier this afternoon.

The Rangers took time to find their feet as they trailed by two points at the break but helped by two Shane McDonald goals, they were in rampant form in the second period.

The Paulstown-Goresbridge outfit outscored their Offaly opponents 2-11 to 0-3 in the sceond 30 minutes as they took control of the contest in all areas.

A large attendance turned out for the game and it was Drumcullen who looked the better team initailly as they raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead through points from Colm Gath, Eoin Gath, Dylan Hollywood and Patrick Lyons.

Barrow Rangers gradually worked their way into the game and with three points from Joe Healy, they were soon back on level terms.

With Shane McDonald, Keith Flavin and Marc Drennan adding to Healy's flourishing threat in attack, the Kilkenny side moved three clear approaching the end of the opening half.

An expertly taken Colm Gath goal after being set up Dermot Gath levelled up matters in the 24th minute and with Eoin Gath, Patrick Lyons and Stephen Hanrahan adding to the tally, the visitors went into the break with a 1-10 to 0-11 advantage.

Whatever was said in the Barrow Rangers dressing room at the interval certainly did the trick as they rattled off 1-7 without reply inside the third quarter.

Quickfire scores from Keith Flavin and Shane McDonald quickly levelled up matters and when McDonald added a goal in the 38th minute, Rangers were in full control.

Flavin and Joe Healy with one apiece from play and a 65 made it an eight point game before Drumcullen could find a reply and when sub Ray Gath eventually spilt the posts in the 50th minute, the game had already got away from the Offaly team.

There was still time for McDonald to double his goal tally in the final stages while Flavin, Healy and Billy Hanlon all added to the score in attack.

Drumcullen could only find two Eoin Gath frees in response as Barrow Rangers advanced to the semi-finals in some style.

Teams and Scorers

Barrow Rangers- Joe Healy (0-11, 4fs and 1 '65); Shane McDonald (2-4, 1f); Keith Flavin (0-5); Billy Hanlon, Marc Drennan (0-1 each)

Drumcullen- Eoin Gath (0-5, 5fs); Colm Gath (1-2, 1f); Patrick Lyons (0-3); Dylan Hollywood, Stephen Hanrahan, Ray Gath (0-1 each)

Barrow Rangers- Richie Doyle; Pauld Delaney, Killian Rudkins, Kevin Brennan; Patrick Purcell, Kieran O'Neill, Noah Scully; Gary Hill, Marc Drennan; Mikey Doyle, Billy Hanlon, Keith Flavin; Shane McDonald, Cathal Purcell, Joe Healy.

Subs: Conor Hanlon for Doyle, 56 mins; Cathal English for B.Hanlon, 59 mins; Timmy Brennan for Healy, 60 mins; Eoin O'Neill for McDonald, 61 mins.

Drumcullen- Killian Spain; Donal Mahon, Donal Guinan, Jack Ryan; Ciaran Guinan, John Cashin, Stephen Hanrahan; Joe McCarthy, Danny Maher; Colm Gath, Dermot Gath, Eoin Gath; Dylan Hollywood, Patrick Lyons, Mark Kennedy Jnr.

Subs: Fiachra Dooley for Mahon, h-t; Conor Gath for McCarthy, h-t; Ray Gath for D.Gath, 48 mins.

Referee- Brian Kearney (Kildare)