More O’Brien brilliance as Sky Blues skate into the last eight
Roanmore's Gavin O'Brien about to gain possession against Tallow's Jordan Henley.
A moment of magic from Roanmore talisman Gavin O’Brien was the highlight of a 26 point win over Tallow in the Dungarvan sunshine on Friday evening.
In the 18th minute, he let a Billy Nolan pass run through his legs, raced after the ball and split the posts from the stand sideline. Score of the championship.
O’Brien delivers the goods every single time he dons that sky blue jersey. He topped the charts yet again with twelve points (eight frees) from sixteen shots at the target. 0-23 in two games for the former county man. His work rate and his unselfishness also stick out. The number ten hunted down blue and gold shirts all evening and assisted 1-1 for his team mates. In his fourteenth season, he is still a marquee club hurler.
This was a case of championship contenders against championship strugglers as the Sky Blues eased into the last eight for the seventh year in a row. Their short passing, their stickwork and their speed tore Tallow to shreds. 46 shots to 23 says it all. Ten different players scored from play as Stephen Gough’s men topped Group A.
The strapping Paul O’Sullivan struck 1-4 from wing forward including a rocket to the top corner in the second half. Conor Ryan (0-4) and Sam Pender (0-3) also sparkled in attack. The winners could afford to shoot thirteen wides.
Tallow have lost their two group games by total of 50 points. They have scored 1-17 and conceded 6-52. Darah Buckley and Tommy Ryan and Cian Geary fought hard but this game was done by half time and a third relegation play-off in as many seasons looks inevitable.
A minute’s silence was observed in memory of Mary Power, wife of former Waterford underage trainer Peter Power. In front of a small crowd, the scoreboard read 1-19 to 0-4 in Roanmore’s favour at the break. It was end to end stuff at the start as the sun broke through the clouds. Darah Buckley and Tommy Ryan edged Tallow into an early lead. Gavin O’Brien belted over a free from his own 45 before Billy Nolan nailed another long distance strike. Conor Ryan and Buckley then traded points. 4-3 with just six minutes on the clock. No sign of a cakewalk at that stage.
1-11 without reply saw the Sky Blues break free. Their short passing game pulled apart the Tallow defence. O’Brien finished the half on eight points while Paul O’Sullivan and Conor Ryan contributed three apiece. Three minutes before the break, a Shane Mackey point attempt broke to Lee Hearne who smashed the ball past Shaun O’Sullivan.
There was no let up. O’Brien blocked down Jordan Henley and raised another white flag. A reverse hand pass from Roanmore’s main man created a point for Sean Burke. Ian Beecher registered Tallow's first point in 19 minutes during added time.
The rout continued on the restart as Ryan got his fourth from play after just 20 seconds. Tallow corner back Cian Geary then made a goal saving block on Hearne. Tommy Ryan put over a point from 65 metres and Buckey converted two frees but it was only temporary respite. The pacey Sam Pender added two to his tally including a beauty in front of the bank.
Roanmore goalkeeper Jack Chester was finally called into action with a quarter of an hour left as he deflected a Buckley shot away for a 65. Buckley sent it over. Tallow’s last score of the game. On the plus side, Kieran Geary got game time as he continues his recovery from a hand injury. One of only seven Tallow subs in the stand.
Roanmore's second goal arrived on 48 minutes. Pender soloed down the endline and passed inside to O’Brien who unselfishly offloaded to O’Sullivan. The number fifteen rifled the ball to the top corner. Absolutely unstoppable. Substitute Callum Carroll chipped in with a pair of points and defender Ian Chester saw a monster effort land on top of the net.
Gavin O’Brien shot twelve points and set up 1-1.
A first half purple patch of 1-11 without reply from Roanmore.
That O’Brien wonder score in front of the stand.
Roanmore can plan for another quarter final appearance.
Gavin O’Brien 0-12 (8fs), Paul O’Sullivan 1-4, Conor Ryan 0-4, Lee Hearne 1-0, Sam Pender 0-3, Sean Burke, Callum Carroll (1f) 0-2 each, Rory Furlong, Billy Nolan, Ian Chester 0-1 each.
Darah Buckley 0-5 (3fs, 1 65), Tommy Ryan 0-2, Callum McCarthy, Ian Beecher, Stephen Murphy 0-1 each.
Jack Chester; Frank McGrath, Ian Chester, Charlie Chester; Cian Wadding, Billy Nolan, Dean Walsh; Sean Burke, Rory Furlong; Conor Ryan, Gavin O’Brien, Paul O’Sullivan; Sam Pender, Shane Mackey, Lee Hearne. Brian Nolan for Ryan (43), Callum Carroll for Furlong (48).
Shaun O’Sullivan; Cian Geary, Robbie Geary, Ben Aherne; Micheal Tobin, Jordan Henley, Shane Martin; Ian Beecher, Callum McCarthy; Eoin McGrath, Tommy Ryan, Mark Stewart; Darragh Spillane, Stephen Murphy, Daragh Buckley. Kieran Geary for Beecher (38), Jake Henley for Murphy (45).
Martin Freeman.
