First half sending off hurts Naomh Eoin as Bagenalstown start with a win
Jake Doyle scored 11 points as Bagenalstown Gaels began the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Senior Hurling Championship with a win over Naomh Eoin Photo: Pat Ahern
Bagenalstown Gaels opened the Carlow Senior Hurling Championship at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday with a hard-earned win over a luckless Naomh Eoin side who had a player sent off in the opening half.
By the 6th minute, the eventual winners had eased into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead with Jake Doyle converting two frees and Paddy McDonnell also on target. An Andy Jordan free opened the scoring for Naomh Eoin but helped by two further Doyle points, the Gaels increased their lead.
The Naomh Eoin cause wasn’t helped when Paddy Doyle was red-carded for a high tackle. Their opponents turned the screw when McDonnell raided down the left towards the O’Hanrahan end of the ground and his shot gave Naomh Eoin keeper, Brian Tracey, no chance.
Naomh Eoin gave themselves a glimpse of a comeback when Scott Tracey ran into open space on the right and beat Andrew Townsend for an excellent three-pointer. At the interval, Bagenalstown Gaels led 1-10 to 1-4.
With the sending off and the Barrowsiders six points up, there was a sense of inevitability about the outcome. Yet, Naomh Eoin showed a level of resilience and defiance which ensured the fourteen men would not capitulate. Doyle continued to punish Naomh Eoin indiscretions when converting a succession of frees but Andy Jordan also landed three frees while substitutes, Cian Quirke and Eoin Hosey, also pointed from play. James Smithers also raised a white flag for the Myshall side but at the end Bagenalstown Gaels had the group points in the bag unless their opponents were going to score two goals which was all highly unlikely.
J Doyle 0-11 (7fs), P McDonnell 1-2, J Wall, P Abbey 0-2 each, D Doyle 0-1 each.
A Jordan 0-6 (fs), S Tracey 1-2, C Quirke, E Hosey, J Smithers, C Kavanagh 0-1 each BAGENALSTOWN GAELS: Andrew Townsend; Alan Wall, Niall Bolger, Paddy Abbey; Cian Doyle, Darragh Nolan, Sean Wall; Jack McCullagh, Danny Doyle; Jason Wall, Jamie Clarke, Oisin Dillon; Kealan Guidera, Jake Doyle, Paddy McDonnell. Sub: TJ Darcy for Guidera (23).
Brian Tracey; Diarmaid Deacon, Diego Dunne, Ger Kavanagh; Michael Nolan, Dwain Kavanagh, Paddy Doyle; Colm Beck, Aodhan Keogh; Eoin Hosey, James Smithers, Andy Jordan; Ciaran Kavanagh, Sean Tracey, Scott Tracey. Subs: Michael Kavanagh for Deacon (h/t), Donal Jordan for D Kavanagh (37), Ciaran Abbey for M Nolan (42), Cian Quirke for S Tracey (42), Jack Kelly for Smithers (54).
David Hickey (Fenagh).
