📝 Tuairisc Cluiche (Match Report)

Our Intermediate hurlers picked up their first win of the Championship after a strong second half saw them come from behind to beat Wolfe Tones in Kilmessan on Saturday.

In humid conditions, it was Tones who started the better, hitting two points from play and a 65 in the first ten minutes before Don/Ash registered their first score from a 65 of their own via Michael O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan hit another free but mistakes from Don/Ash allowed Tones to stretch their lead with three of their own and they were leading by five at two different points in the first half.

However, two more frees from O’Sullivan were backed up by a point from play from his brother Seán to narrow the gap back to three points at the break.

HT: Domhnach Mór Cill Dhéagláin 0-05 v 0-08 Bhúlf Tón

The Moors continued their scoring form at the start of the second half, with Luke Andrews having a shot deflected on the volley over the bar after being set up by Davin Jones. Jones himself saw another white flag raised to go alongside another Michael O’Sullivan 65 as Don/Ash levelled the game with seven played.

They went into the lead for the first time four minutes later with Michael O’Sullivan pointing from play, but a scramble in the small square saw Wolfe Tones awarded a penalty. Ben Mather managed to get a touch on the shot but was unable to keep it out and another point from play for Tones gave them their three-point lead back.

However, Mather began to link up with Colm Ó Méalóid on puckouts and that was what swung the game – with the player-coach hitting a strike from distance that was misjudged by the Tones goalkeeper and found the net to level the sides once more with 15 left.

The sides would trade scores, including a rarely-seen point from Oisín Daly and another Ó Méalóid effort. Michael O’Sullivan pointed from a free to move the Moors ahead and it was a lead they wouldn’t surrender.

David Carey was brought off the bench for the final to try help Don/Ash close out the win and played a big role in their second goal. The Tones keeper was trying to clear the ball away but took a second too long with the ball in his hand, as Carey managed to get a block on his hurley – with the ball deflecting through the air into the hands of Michael O’Sullivan to finish to the empty net.

Carey took over free taking duties to extend the Moors lead, with Tones only able to put over one more point before Ó Méalóid rounded out the scoring.

FT: Domnach Mór Cill Dhéagláin 2-16 v 1-13  Bhúlf Tón

Team: Ben Mather, Daragh Walsh, Rhys Thomas, Cian Field; Tom Ryan, Sam Benville, Dylan Morrissey; Oisín Daly (0-1), Shaun Byrne; Colm Ó Méalóid (1-2), Luke Andrews (0-1), Andrew Tormey; Davin Jones (0-1), Seán O’Sullivan (0-1), Michael O’Sullivan (1-8, 4f, 2 65s)

Subs used: Seán Hogan for Thomas, Fionnán Hogan for Walsh, David Carey for Andrews, Evan O’Kane for Seán O’Sullivan