Bustling Broderick inspires as Duhallow ease past Carbery

DUHALLOW advanced to round two of the Evening Echo SHC for the second year in-a-row after a comprehensive victory over Carbery at Coachford last night.

Even allowing for the weakness of the opposition, forced to line out without any players from Newcestown, who are involved in the IHC at the weekend, Duhallow brushed aside the West Cork side playing a tough, honest brand of hurling.

Duhallow had excellent players in full back Conor Buckley, centre back Stephen Barrett, midfielder Alan Sheehy, wing forward Donie Broderick and corner forward Damien Crowley, and they’ll prove more than a handful for either Imokilly or Muskerry in the next round.

Duhallow made the more positive start when Noel O’Callaghan billowed the Carbery net after a minute and they quickly added two points.

It took Carbery 10 minutes to open their account but Duhallow, taking inspiration from the bustling Donie Broderick were full value for their 1-4 to 0-1 head at the end of the opening quarter.

Carbery began to come more into the game and JP O’Callaghan’s accuracy from frees left only a goal between the sides with 10 minutes to the break. However Duhallow’s Damien Crowley was equally proficient from frees and landed a brace of points, from difficult angles.

Damien Crowley showed his prowess with an excellent point from another difficult angled free which left his side 1-6 to 0-5 in front at the break.

Carbery were a much improved side on the change over and threatened to make a game of it — drawing level after 32 minutes. Frank Hickey landed a point before JP O’Callaghan kicked home a goal after Con Tarrant dropped Hickey’s long delivery at his feet, and from a position of comfort Duhallow found themselves with a battle on their hands.

There was still no improvement in the standard of hurling, but the closeness of the scores and the keenness of the exchanges kept the small attendance entertained.

To their credit Duhallow showed far greater commitment and Alan Sheehy gave them the edge at midfield. With Donie Broderick driving forward at every opportunity, they hit four points in a row, two by Sheehy, to lead 1-12 to 1-8 at the three quarter stage.

Damien Crowley flicked home Noel O’Callaghan’s long delivery and when O’Callaghan tacked on an excellent point, it was hard to see Duhallow letting a 2-12 to 1-8 lead slip.

Throwing a ring of steel around their goal Duhallow never gave Carbery a look in, in the closing minutes, as Conor Buckley and Stephen Barrett dealt efficiently with everything that came their way, while at the other end substitute Denis Murphy knocked over a brace of points as Duhallow ran out convincing winners.

Scorers: Duhallow: D. Crowley 1-6 (0-4 frees); N. O’Callaghan 1-1; B. Quirke, A. Sheehy, D. Murphy, D. Broderick 0-2 each; P. O’Callaghan 0-1. Carbery: JP O’Callaghan 1-3 (0-3 frees); J. Hickey 0-3; J. Hickey 0-2; D. Doody, N. Cronin 0-1 each.

DUHALLOW: C. Tarrant (Banteer); J. O’Connell (Kanturk), C. Buckley (Banteer), G. McCarthy (Millstreet); N. Cronin (Kilbrin), S. Barrett (Millstreet), D. McCarthy (do.); A. Sheehy (Tullylease), A. Crowley (Newmarket); D. Broderick (Meelin), N. O’Callaghan (Kilbrin), D. Murphy (Banteer); D. Crowley (do.), B. Quirke (Millstreet), K. McCarthy (do.).

Subs: D. Mannix (Banteer) for McCarthy; P. O’Callaghan (Kilbrin) for Mannix; E. Hannigan (Tullylease) for O’Connell.

CARBERY: N. Coomey (Argideen Rangers); P. Ryan (Kilbrittain), K. Hurley (Bandon), J. O’Sullivan (Ballinascarthy); C. O’Brien (do.), V. O’Brien (Kilbrittain), T. Coffey (Oliver Plunketts); D. Nyhan (O’Mathunas), J. Hickey (Bandon), K. Doyle (do.); JP O’Callaghan (O’Mathunas), F. Hickey (Kilbrittain), D. Dooley (St. James.

Subs: M. Phelan (O’Mathunas) for Tobin; P. O’Sullivan (St. James) for Dooley; J. O’Donovan (O’Mathunas) for O’Sullivan; D. Crowley (O’Mathunas) for Coffey); T. Lordan (O’Mathunas) for Doyle).

Referee: J. Dorgan (Nemo Rangers).