Round Up: AIB Leinster Intermediate and Junior Hurling Championship

Sun, 12th November 2023

It proved a case of mixed emotions for Dublin’s representatives in the provincial hurling club championships on Saturday afternoon.

In Cusack Park, Mullingar, Naomh Mearnóg dominated from the outset when easing past Westmeath champions St Oliver Plunkett’s by 2-20 to 0-7 in their Leinster AIB Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final.

The Portmarnock side set the tone early on through points by Josh Phillips and Chris Farrelly and they continued to dominate thanks to the efforts of midfielder Joey Kinnane, Tommy Kinnane and eldest brother Stan Kinnane.

Liam Mullins kept the Mearnóg scoreboard ticking over as the half evolved with the talented corner-forward finishing the game with a personal tally of ten points, seven of which came from placed balls.

Of equal importance to the winners was the influence that centre-forward Shane Nangle exerted in curbing Westmeath player Aaron Craig as Mearnóg entered the break with an 0-10 to 0-2 advantage.

The second-half resumed in a similar manner as Gary de Loughrey’s side preserved their dominance with their full-back line of Tom Cosgrove, Rory O’Loughlin and Eoin Kelly maintaining their excellent recent form.

Behind them, Bobby Smith was a calm presence as his distribution ensured Naomh Mearnóg remained on the front foot as their scoreboard continued to tick over thanks to points by Seán Hawkshaw, Mullins and Bernard Deay.

Full-forward Deay, who arrived from Kildare at the start of the year, delivered another strong display as he chipped in with 1-2 while Phillips added their second goal to end up with 1-3 from open play.

The victory secured a semi-final clash against Bray Emmets, who came through their quarter-final by defeating Portlaoise by 0-18 to 0-16 in Aughrim.

Meanwhile in Kilcormac, Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels produced an excellent display before succumbing to Offaly outfit Carrig Riverstown by 1-20 to 3-11 in their AIB Leinster Club Junior Hurling Championship quarter-final.

Barry O’Reilly opened the Counsel scoring and they remained in contention as full-forward Shane Ryan scored the first of his two goals at the end of the first quarter.

Corey Scahill added to their tally from frees and open play to ensure that they trailed by the bare minimum (0-10 to 1-6 by half-time).

The hosts looked to have the edge up front as they pushed ahead thanks to Lee Hogan’s eight points over the hour and six points from Brendan Hoctor while Conor McDowall raised a green flag to keep his side on the front foot.

Ryan pounced for another goal towards the end of the third quarter to leave just a point between the teams with a talented Carrig Riverstown team replying by opening up a four-point lead entering added time.

A brilliant Luke Blood goal offered Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels a glimmer of hope but the hosts clipped over the final score to complete a deserved three-point success in what was a hugely entertaining and high-quality clash.