Moore on the double as senior hurlers progress to semi-finals

Sun, 7th January 2018

DUBLIN 4-16 ANTRIM 0-17

Dublin were slow out of the traps but eventually got motoring to run out convincing 11-point victors in this Bord na Móna Walsh Cup round-robin encounter at Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Dubs top their group and advance to face Wexford in the semi-final next Sunday in Parnell Park (2.0).

Antrim settled immediately and by the seventh minute were 0-5 to 0-0 in front thanks to the freetaking accuracy of Neil McManus and one from Colin Clarke.

However, an incisive run by Cillian Costello resulted in a Paul Crummey goal as Pat Gilroy's men sprung to life.

The Dubs reeled off five points without reply from Paul Crummey, two Paul Winters frees, Robbie Mahon and Daire Gray to lead 1-5 to 0-5 after 16 minutes.

By the break Dublin were 2-9 to 0-9 to the good following Winters' goal in the 26th minute after Alan Moore's effort had rebounded off the crossbar.

Five minutes into the second half St Vincent's man Moore grabbed the first of his two second half goals when he held David Kearney off under a long Darren Kelly delivery before racing through on goal.

Four minutes later he added his second with a low angled drive from close range after it looked like Winters could have been awarded a penalty in the lead-up to lead 4-9 t0 0-11 and the hosts were never in any trouble.

Robbie Mahon assumed the freetaking duties following the substitution of Winters and converted two frees and a '65' to add to his three points from play as Dublin cruised to victory.

Dublin were never under sustained pressure in defence but the Cian Hendricken, in particular, looked sharp and in control in a defence that held the Glensmen at bay throughout though conceding a lot of frees.

“A bit of indiscipline on our tackling is something we need to work on,” said Dublin manager Pat Gilroy afterwards.

SCORERS – Dublin: P Winters 1-4 (0-3f), A Moore 2-1, R Mahon 0-6 (0-2f, 0-1 '65'), P Crummey 1-1, D Gray 0-3, J McCaffrey 0-1. Antrim: N McManus 0-11 (0-10f), C Johnston 0-2, N Elliott, G Walsh, C McCann, C Clarke (0-1f) 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: G Maguire; P Smyth, B O’Carroll, C Hendricken; S Barrett, D Kelly, C Crummey; J McCaffrey, T Connolly; C Costello, D Gray, P Crummey; A Moore, P Winters, R Mahon. Subs: R Smith for Connolly (26 inj), C McBride for Winters (44 inj), S Ó Riain for P Crummey (49), C Ryan for Costello (51).

ANTRIM: C O’Connell; D Kearney, A Graffin, S Rooney; C McKinley, J Maskey, J Dillon; N McManus, C Johnston; N Elliott, G Walsh, C McCann; J McNaughton, C Carson, C Clarke. Subs: E O’Neill for Carson (41), J Connelly for Clarke (51), M Connolly for McCann (57), C Boyd for Dillon (65), D McCloskey for Elliott (71)

REF: P Murphy (Carlow).

Saturday 13^th January 2018

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup Semi Final:

Bord na Mona O’Connor Park Tullamore (2.00) Offaly v Kilkenny

Sunday 14^th January 2018

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup Semi Final:

Parnell Park (2.00) Dublin v Wexford

Bord na Mona O Byrne Cup Semi Finals:

Pairc Tailteann, Navan (2.00) Meath v Longford

TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar (2.00) Westmeath v Offaly

(Extra Time and Finishing On the Day, if necessary in above games)

Bord na Mona Kehoe Cup – Round 3