Kenny stands tall to guide battling Grenagh past Fermoy

Grenagh 1-11 Fermoy 1-09

Led by county senior hurler Tom Kenny, Grenagh pulled through a tough, physical battle, thanks mainly to their second-half display and the wayward shooting of their opponents late on.

Kenny gave his customary cultured display, making everything look easy from his berth in the middle of the field, with his central partner Gerry Russell also excelling throughout.

Others to impress over the hour were full-forward Liam Walsh and DD Dorgan, with the former smashing home a terrific goal on two minutes while the latter helped himself to six points (five frees) during his shift at left half-forward.

While Kenny and his colleagues were deserving winners, Fermoy will rue their woeful finishing, particularly late on when their wides tally began to grow (14 in total).

Jack Hutchings was the main performer for Fermoy — his tough, uncompromising duel with Kenny in the middle was the battle of the game — and was one of the main factors his side went in at the break level on 1-6 apiece.

Fermoy’s number nine Thomas Clancy also deserved better than the loss but his tally of 1-1 (his goal from a 10th minute penalty) couldn’t stop Grenagh’s deserved progression to what will be a mouthwatering last eight clash next month.

Scorers for Grenagh: DD Dorgan (0-6, 5f); L Walsh (1-1); G Russell, T Kenny, U Duggan, C Fitzgerald (0-1 each).

Scorers for Fermoy: T Clancy (1-1); J Campion, J Hutchings (one free) (0-2 each); B O’Sullivan, D O’Carroll, K Morrison, R O’Hagan (0-1 each).

GRENAGH: M Barry; M Lehane, R Dorgan, C Donovan; N Doherty’ P McCarthy, K O’Neill; T Kenny, G Russell; C O’Neill, C Fitzgerald, DD Dorgan; U Duggan, L Walsh, T Walsh.

Subs: S Dorgan for C O’Neill (33).

FERMOY: I O’Callaghan; P Clancy, B O’Callaghan, J O’Sullivan; S Shanahan, J Daly, B O’Sullivan; J Hutchings, T Clancy; P De Roiste, D O’Carroll, R O’Callaghan; J Campion, R O’Hagan, K Morrison.

Subs: M Brennan for J Campion (ht), A Baragry for B O’Callaghan (38), P Murphy for R O’Callaghan (54).

Referee: D O’Leary (Kiskeam).