In-form Tullaroan produce the goods to see off O'Loughlin Gaels

Tullaroan produced a fantastic display as they claimed a four point victory over O’Loughlin Gaels in a pulsating St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final at UPMC Nowlan Park.

The Sash benefited from a first half Mossy Keoghan goal as they outbattled their city opponents with the Walsh brothers Padraig and Shane in superb form at opposite ends of the field.

O’Loughlin’s had made a bright start with Ruarc Sweeney on fine form with his two early points allowing Brian Hogan’s team to move into a 0-4 to 0-1 advantage.

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Tullaroan looked a goal threat for a lot of the opening half and it was Mossy Keoghan’s 9th minute effort that kept his side’s nose in front for large periods.

Shane Walsh then came into his own while Ruarc Sweeney’s impact for O’Loughlin’s was offset by a couple of great scores via Cian Byrne and Jamie Ryan.

It was then point for point throughout the rest of the opening period as Tullaroan led 1-11 to 0-10 at the change of ends.

Mossy Keoghan had a shot well saved at the start of the second half as David Mulcahy’s men threatened to take control with Shane Walsh, Bill Gaffney and Gearoid Dunne adding to their tallies and by the 42nd minute, the winners had pushed seven clear on the scoreboard.

O’Loughlin’s were never going to go away easily though and with Sweeney, Robbie Buckley and Greg Kelly scoring in succession, only a puck of the ball seperated the teams going down the stretch.

It remained score for score as Tullaroan’s extra class in attack took advantage of the O’Loughlin’s absentees and Ciallin Brennan all but ended the game when finishing to the net in stoppage time.

Ruarc Sweeney replied almost immediately down the other end for O’Loughlin’s but the damage had already been done as Tullaroan claimed a huge victory.

Teams and Scorers

Tullaroan: Shane Walsh (0-6, 1f and 1’65); Mossy Keoghan (1-3); Ciallin Brennan (1-0); Dylan Simpson (0-3, 2fs); Bill Gaffney, Gearoid Dunne (0-3 each); Niall Holland (0-1, 1f); Peter Walsh (0-1)

O’Loughlin Gaels: Ruarc Sweeney (1-11, 9fs and 1 ‘65); Robbie Buckley, Greg Kelly (0-1 each); Fionan Mackessy, Jamie Ryan, Cian Loy, Cian Byrne (0-1 each)

Tullaroan: Niall Holland; Joe Coughlan, Tomas Dunne, Charlie Cleere; Tommy Walsh, Padraig Walsh, Bill Walton; Martin Walsh, Bill Gaffney; Martin Keoghan, Peter Walsh, Dylan Simpson; Shane Walsh, Gearoid Dunne, John Walton.

Subs: Ciallin Brennan for J.Walton, 48 mins.

O’Loughlin Gaels: Stephen Murphy; Jack Lawlor, Eoin O’Shea, Mikey Butler; David McGee, Paddy Deegan, Fionan Mackessy; Cian Loy, Jamie Ryan; Conor Heary, David Fogarty, Greg Kelly; Cian Byrne, Ruarc Sweeney, Robbie Buckley.

Subs: Jack Nolan for Fogarty, 38 mins; Luke Hogan for Kelly, 58 mins; Oisin Murphy for McGee, 58 mins.

Referee: John Kennedy