Abbeyside maintain perfect start with convincing win over Ferrybank
Abbeyside's Sean Callaghan gets his shot away before Ferrybank's Stephen O'Kane can get the block in during the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Senior Hurling Championship clash played at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field. Photos: Eddie Dee
Abbeyside made it two wins from two in the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior Hurling Championship with a 10-point victory over Ferrybank at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field on Saturday.
Having been forced into a relegation play-off last year, the Villagers have enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign. However, despite another high-scoring display, concerns may remain defensively after conceding three goals, having shipped four in their opening-round win over Clonea.
Charlie Treen once again caught the eye for Abbeyside, producing another influential performance, while Ferrybank corner-forward Ruairi McGarrity turned in a remarkable display of his own, finishing with a hat-trick despite ending up on the losing side.
Abbeyside opened brightly through points from Michael Kiely, Sean Callaghan and Treen, but Ferrybank struck for an early goal after just three minutes. From a long delivery into the Abbeyside defence, McGarrity gathered possession and fired home from a tight angle to level matters.
The response from Abbeyside was immediate and emphatic. A superb pass from Brian Callaghan released Neil Montgomery, who drove through the defence before finding the net. Moments later, Abbeyside had a second goal when Riain Walsh's effort dropped short and deceived goalkeeper Cormac O'Driscoll before ending up in the net.
Those goals helped Abbeyside establish a commanding 2-3 to 1-0 lead after only four minutes. They continued to dominate and added six unanswered points before Ferrybank stemmed the tide.
Mark O'Brien chipped away with three placed-ball scores, while McGarrity and O'Brien also added points. Abbeyside, however, remained firmly in control, with Eoin Kiely, Treen and others keeping the scoreboard moving. Kiely's point in the 29th minute stretched the lead to 2-13 to 1-5.
Ferrybank finished the half on a positive note. Ryan Tierney's delivery into the danger area was won by Caoileann MacCathmhaoil, who squared for McGarrity to flick home his second goal. A late Michael Kiely point left Abbeyside leading 2-14 to 2-5 at the interval.
The city side made a strong start to the second half, with O'Brien landing three frees and Neil O'Sullivan also on target to reduce the deficit.
Abbeyside soon regained control. Eoin Kiely struck three points, Sean Callaghan added another, and the lead was restored to comfortable proportions. O'Sullivan replied for Ferrybank, but a lack of scoring contributors ultimately hindered their comeback hopes.
Treen continued to impress, adding a succession of scores before Abbeyside grabbed their third goal on 53 minutes. A Walsh effort was blocked, but the rebound fell kindly for Treen, who finished clinically to the net.
With the result effectively decided, Ferrybank continued to battle and immediately responded. From the restart, Robbie Carew broke possession into the path of McGarrity, who completed his hat-trick in style.
Two late points from O'Brien reduced the margin slightly, but they proved no more than consolation as Abbeyside comfortably secured the spoils.
Charlie Treen 1-7, Eoin Kiely 0-7 (5f), Neil Montgomery 1-2, Riain Walsh 1-1, Michael Kiely 0-3, Sean Callaghan 0-2, Conor Prunty 0-1.
Mark O'Brien 0-10 (5f, 1 '65), Ruairi McGarrity 3-1, Neil O'Sullivan 0-2.
Lar Power; Robert Prunty, Brian Looby, Colin Foley; Billy O'Connell, Conor Prunty, Darragh Walsh; Willie Beresford, Sean Callaghan; Riain Walsh, Michael O'Halloran, Michael Kiely; Charlie Treen, Neil Montgomery, Eoin Kiely.
Brian Callaghan for Michael O'Halloran (51), Evan McInerney for Billy O'Connell (51).
Cormac O'Driscoll; Stephen O'Kane, Naoise MacCathmhaoil, Izzack Richards; Sean Adeyemi, Ryan Tierney, Cormac Heffernan; Neil O'Sullivan, Caoileann MacCathmhaoil; Jay Bagge, Robbie Carew, Luke Flynn; Ruairi McGarrity, Mark O'Brien, Daryl Griffin.
Conor Haley for Luke Flynn (39), Harry Flanagan for Jay Bagge (47), Shane Oates for Robbie Carew (58), Fionn McGarrity for Naoise MacCathmhaoil (58).
Seaghan Walsh (De La Salle).
