Ruthless Roche rules the roost for impressive Roanmore
Roanmore Captain, David Barrett holds the Junior A Hurling Cup High much to the delight of his Team mates and Young Supporters following the presentation by Co.Board Chairman, Sean Michael O’Regan. .Photos: Sean Byrne
The result was never in doubt here as Roanmore took control of this game from the very start, totally outclassing a Kilrossanty side of which so much was expected based on an impressive, unbeaten run through the Western championship. Shock losers in to Ardmore in last year’s final Roanmore made no mistake on this occasion and with two goals from Sean Roche in the 9th minute giving his side a 2-4 to nil lead it was always going to be an uphill battle for a clearly rattled Kilrossanty side.
The Comeragh side won the toss and confidently opted to face the breeze, blowing from the dressing room end, in the first half. It proved a misplaced confidence as Roanmore settled quickly and by the eighth minute had moved into a four point lead with unanswered points from Josh Sheridan (F), David Barrett and a brace from Sean Roche. It was Roche who flicked the ball to the net from the edge of the square in the 9th minute and with Roanmore winning possession from the puck out Roche raced through a static defence to crash the ball to the net for his second goal.
Kilrossanty had hardly launched a serious attack at that stage but finally opened their account with Padraig Fitzgerald sending over following a foul on Alan Dunwoody in the 10th minute. A minute later Brian Everard had the ball in the Kilrossanty net for his side’s third goal as things went from bad to worse for the Western champions who added just two further points from Padraig and Seamus Fitzgerald in the remainder of the half in response to five from Roanmore that left the halftime score at 3-10 to 0-3 in favour of the city side.
The game was clearly Roanmore’s to lose as Kilrossanty sought to regroup in the dressing room. Tommy Prendergast and Paddy Whyte were called up for the second half and an early point from a Padraig Fitzgerald free raised hopes of a fight back. Any such hopes were quickly dashed as Sean Roche again found time and space to streak forward and score his third goal, giving Joey Veale no chance between the Kilrossanty posts.
Thereafter it was a case of damage limitation where Kilrossanty were concerned as they faced an impossible task. To their credit they never gave up the chase but even a 42nd minute goal by Padraig Fitzgerald made little difference as Kilrossanty’s second half tally of 1-7 was responded to in kind by Roanmore as the game moved on to its inevitable conclusion.
It was an outstanding performance by Roanmore for whom Sean Roche, with a personal tally of 3-2, received the man of the match accolade. He had strong back up from Tadhg Ryan in goal, Dale Hayes, Cian Carroll, Brian Everard, Ethan Flynn, Josh Sheridan and Callum Carroll.
KIlrossanty are clearly a better side than they showed here and they will have a chance to prove it when they face the Limerick champions in Munster Club action in Lemybrien on the first weekend in November. Their county panellists Seamus and Padraig Fitzgerald worked hard to bring their side back into the game but a lack lustre start left their side with just too much ground to make up.
Roanmore players and supporters celebrated joyously as County Chairman Sean Michael O’Regan presented the cup to team captain David Barrett.
Sean Roche 3-2, Josh Sheridan 0-8 (5fs), Brian Everard 1-1, Callum Carroll 0-3, David Barrett, Ethan Flynn, Emmet O’Toole 0-1 each.
Padraig Fitzgerald 1-6 (0-2Fs,0-1 ‘65’), Seamus Fitzgerald 0-2, Alan Dunwoody and Jack Power (F) 0-1 each.
Tadhg Ryan, Dale Hayes, Darragh Power, Oran Hartney, Sean Barrett, Cian Carroll, Ethan Hayes, Emmet O’Toole, Harry White, Brian Everard, David Barrett, Ethan Flynn, Josh Sheridan, Callum Carroll, Sean Roche.
Dean Reidy for S. Barrett (33), Eoghan Barry for O’Toole (45), Tony O’Brien for Sheridan (56).
Joey Veale, Shane Power, Corey Kennedy, Rian Hayes, Rian Hogan, Caomhin Walsh, Donal Fitzgerald, Pa Cunningham, Seamus Fitzgerald, Josh Kay, Martin Dunne, Jack Power, Eoin Power, Padraig Fitzgerald, Alan Dunwoody.
T. J. Veale for Power (24), Tommy Prendergast for E. Power (HT), Paddy White for Cunningham (HT), Frankie De Paor for Hogan (45), Paul Whyte for Kay (51).
Killian O’Sullivan (Cappoquin/Tourin)
