Fourmilewater continue on their winning ways against Gunners seconds
Fourmilewater maintained their perfect start to the JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Senior Hurling Championship with a comprehensive 4-24 to 3-11 victory over Ballygunner B at St Molleran’s on Saturday evening.
The West Waterford side now sit top of Group B after three rounds and never looked in danger of surrendering their unbeaten record. Aaron Ryan once again starred, finishing with 1-11, while inter-county forward Sean Walsh contributed 1-4. Paddy Spellman added 1-3 as Fourmilewater showcased their attacking depth, with 10 different players getting on the scoresheet. Former Waterford senior hurler Conor Gleeson also made a late appearance from the bench.
The home side made the ideal start, striking for a goal inside the opening minute. Pat Walsh surged forward from defence before picking out Evan Spellman, who finished clinically to the net and immediately put Ballygunner under pressure.
Fourmilewater continued to dominate possession and territory, and a second goal arrived in the 13th minute. Paddy Spellman delivered a ball into Sean Walsh, who used his strength and skill to great effect before blasting past the goalkeeper to leave his side 2-4 to 0-3 ahead.
Ballygunner relied heavily on the placed-ball accuracy of Billy O’Keeffe to keep the scoreboard moving, but Fourmilewater were producing scores from all areas of the field and looked far more threatening in attack.
A chance to extend the lead further came on 26 minutes when Sean Walsh fed Liam O’Brien, who was fouled in the square. Aaron Ryan took responsibility for the resulting penalty but opted for power and drove his effort over the bar rather than testing the goalkeeper.
The third goal arrived just before half-time following an excellent move involving several players. Jamie Barron switched play to Dermot Ryan, whose clever touch found Sean Walsh. Walsh quickly laid the ball off to Aaron Ryan, who rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net.
That score helped Fourmilewater take a commanding 3-12 to 0-6 lead into the interval.
Ballygunner showed some improvement after the restart and grabbed a goal on 42 minutes. Ollie Fives won possession near the corner, cut along the endline and slipped a low finish beneath Stephen Ryan to reduce the deficit.
However, Fourmilewater remained firmly in control and continued to create opportunities. Their fourth goal arrived with 10 minutes remaining when Tom Barron and Evan Spellman combined to set up substitute Michael Morrissey, who finished decisively to make it 4-22 to 1-9.
Fives struck again five minutes from time. A long puck-out was claimed by Jake Foley, who found the Ballygunner forward, and Fives beat Stephen Ryan at his near post for his second goal of the evening.
Ballygunner added a third goal in the final minute. Another long delivery was won by Cathal O’Sullivan and worked through Ruairi Fitzpatrick and Fives. Although Fives was denied by Ryan while chasing a hat-trick, the rebound fell kindly for Fitzpatrick, who finished from close range.
Despite those late scores, Fourmilewater’s superiority over the hour was never in doubt as they secured a convincing 16-point victory and strengthened their position at the top of Group B.
Aaron Ryan 1-11 (0-3 frees, 0-1 penalty, 0-1 ’65); Sean Walsh 1-4; Evan Spellman 1-3; Michael Morrissey 1-0; Oisin Walsh, Paddy Spellman, Jamie Barron, Liam O’Brien, Chris Ryan and Billy Byrne 0-1 each.
Billy O’Keeffe 0-7 (7 frees); Ollie Fives 2-0; Ruairi Fitzpatrick 1-0; Jake Foley 0-2; Scott Fleming and Philip Power 0-1 each.
Stephen Ryan; James McGrath, Tadhg Walsh, Pat Walsh; Tholom Guiry, Oisin Walsh, Dermot Ryan; Tom Barron, Paddy Spellman; Jamie Barron, Liam O’Brien, Evan Spellman; Chris Ryan, Sean Walsh, Aaron Ryan.
Michael Morrissey for Tadhg Walsh (38), Billy Byrne for Liam O’Brien (46), Fionn Hallinan for Paddy Spellman (46), Conor Gleeson for Oisin Walsh (53).
Cian Troy; Craig O’Keeffe, Sean Harney, Tony Brennan; Scott Fleming, Cathal O’Sullivan, Billy O’Keeffe; Darragh O’Keeffe, Conor Berry; Philip Power, Jake Foley, Sean O’Neill; Ruairi Fitzpatrick, Ollie Fives, Charlie Whitty.
James Comerford for Conor Berry (half-time), Tommy Phelan for Charlie Whitty (43), Adam Dawson for Sean O’Neill (57).
Nicky O’Toole (Mount Sion).
