Callaghan inspires Abbeyside to a vital victory over Passage
Passage's Kevin Cullinane tries to get away from the challenge of Abbeyside's Conor Prunty during their JJ Kavanagh & Sons Co. Senior hurling championship clash at Azzurri Walsh Park. Photos: Maurice Hennebry
Passage will have it all to do if they are to qualify for the knockout stages of this year's JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Senior Hurling Championship after suffering a third defeat in four games, going down by two points to Abbeyside at Azzurri Walsh Park on Saturday evening.
They must now beat bottom side Ferrybank next Friday and hope Clonea fail to take anything from their final-round clash with table-toppers and reigning champions Ballygunner if they are to reach the quarter-finals. Failure to progress could also leave Passage facing a relegation play-off, depending on where Ballygunner's second team finishes in Group B.
This was a contest whose outcome remained in doubt right until the final whistle. For the winners, Sean Callaghan was outstanding around the middle third, firing over six points from play. For Passage, Sean Kelly contributed four points, while Rory Jacob finished with 1-2.
The game burst into life from the throw-in, with both sides on the scoreboard inside 30 seconds. Kevin Cullinane opened the scoring for Passage after just 11 seconds, but Charlie Treen replied 19 seconds later.
Passage looked the sharper side in the opening exchanges and moved 0-3 to 0-1 clear inside three minutes through scores from Sean Kelly and Gary Cullinane. However, once Abbeyside found their rhythm, they began to dominate. Scores from Sean Callaghan, Charlie Treen, Darragh Walsh, Neil Montgomery and Evan McInerney helped them build a 0-6 to 0-3 lead after nine minutes.
The game's first goal arrived on 11 minutes. Passage won a sideline ball on the covered stand side and worked possession back to goalkeeper Eddy Lynch. His long delivery towards the Keane's Road end was gathered by Dale Cullinane, who cut in along the endline before finishing past Lar Power to level matters.
The remainder of the opening quarter was closely contested, but Abbeyside gained control during the second quarter, outscoring their opponents by 0-7 to 0-2. Charlie Treen, Neil Montgomery and Sean Callaghan all added points, while Eoin Kiely struck four. With Tom Carey accounting for Passage's only scores during that spell, Abbeyside, who were without suspended Willie Beresford and injured Michael Kiely, led 0-15 to 1-7 at half-time.
With the wind at their backs, Passage started the second half strongly. Eoin Kiely and Sean Kelly traded scores before Kelly and Liam Flynn reduced the gap to three points. Sean Callaghan responded, but scores from Rory Jacob and Mark Fitzgerald left just two points between the sides.
The margin was cut to the minimum moments later in unusual circumstances. Following Fitzgerald's point, Abbeyside goalkeeper Lar Power exchanged words with the umpires. Referee Paddy Smith intervened, issuing a yellow card to the netminder and awarding Passage a free on the 20-metre line rather than allowing the restart. Tom Carey converted to make it a one-point game.
Passage hit the front on 41 minutes when Abbeyside's attempt to work the ball out from defence broke down. Rory Jacob seized possession, drove at the defence and blasted to the net for a crucial goal, putting Passage 2-14 to 0-18 ahead.
Abbeyside responded impressively. Eoin Kiely landed two frees and Neil Montgomery added another from play to restore their lead. Carey and Kiely then exchanged scores from long-range placed balls, while Rory Jacob, Sean Callaghan and Charlie Treen also found the target.
Late scores from Mikey Cummins and Sean Kelly kept Passage in contention, but further points from Callaghan and Kiely ensured Abbeyside secured the victory and the two championship points.
Eoin Kiely 0-9 (6f, 1 '65), Sean Callaghan 0-6, Charlie Treen 0-5, Neil Montgomery 0-3, Darragh Walsh 0-2, Evan McInerney 0-1.
Rory Jacob 1-2, Tom Carey 0-5 (1f, 1 '65), Sean Kelly 0-4, Dale Cullinane 1-0, Mark Fitzgerald 0-2, Kevin Cullinane, Gary Cullinane, Eoin Walsh, Liam Flynn and Mikey Cummins 0-1 each.
Lar Power; Robert Prunty, Brian Looby, Colin Foley; Billy O'Connell, Conor Prunty, Darragh Walsh; Sean Whelan Barrett, Sean Callaghan; Rian Walsh, Michael O'Halloran, Evan McInerney; Charlie Treen, Neil Montgomery, Eoin Kiely.
Daire Slevin for Evan McInerney (49), Brian Callaghan for Michael O'Halloran (51).
Eddy Lynch; Eoghan Power, Callum O'Neill, Eoin Walsh; Pa Walsh, Gary Cullinane, Conor Drohan; Mark Fitzgerald, Sean Cullinane; Kevin Cullinane, Liam Flynn, Tom Carey; Rory Jacob, Dale Cullinane, Sean Kelly.
Mikey Cummins for Conor Drohan (41), Mike Hutchinson for Eoin Walsh (49), David Roche for Dale Cullinane (55), Brian Cullinane for Liam Flynn (57).
Paddy Smith (Shamrocks).
