RedFM Division 1 Hurling League: Charleville hit Na Piarsaigh for four goals

Charleville 4-14 Na Piarsaigh 1-16 

GOALS at crucial stages in each half kept Charleville in contention in the RedFM Division 1 Hurling League on home turf. 

In a lively opening period, the sides were level 0-2 each by the eighth after Gavin Kelleher, Cork U20 Ross O’Sullivan, Kelvin Forde and Danny O’Flynn traded points. In Charleville’s next attack the hard-working Conor Buckley with a fine solo run set up Tim Hawe who billowed the net. 

Luke Sheehan and Gavin Kelleher exchanged a point before the Rathluirc side gained a foothold with Jack Buckley, Robert Carroll, Alan Dennehy, Conor Buckley, Tim Hawe and David Forde very effective. They moved 1-5 to 0-4 ahead by the end of the first quarter. 

They had their second goal in the 21st minute when Conor Buckley picked out Simon Gleeson who netted. Na Piarsaigh with the aid of the breeze responded with points by Eoin Galvin and Shane Forde that reduced the margin 2-5 to 0-6. 

However, Charleville finished strongly with Danny O’Flynn pointing from long range while two well-taken points by David Forde. In injury time Eoin Hannifin completed the scoring but Na Piarsaigh trailed 2-8 to 0-7.

On the changeover, Na Piarsaigh introduced Dayne Lee and grabbed an early point by the impressive Ross O’Sullivan. Yet Charleville responded immediately when David Forde placed Mark Kavanagh for a fine goal, 3-8 to 0-8. 

Further pressure by the home side saw Conor Buckley, Danny O’Flynn, David Forde and Killian Cagney add rapid points as they moved 3-12 to 0-9 clear by the 42nd minute. In the last quarter, Na Piarsaigh staged a great fightback with Keith Buckley, Ciaran Flynn, Kevin Sheehan, Kelvin Forde, Ross O’Sullivan, Eoin Galvin and Shane Forde thundering into the game. 

Buckley set up Shane Forde for a goal and this was followed by three O’Sullivan points leaving it 3-12 to 1-12 at the midway stage. Conor Buckley had a Charleville point before the Seandún side responded through Eoin Galvin and Shane Forde to narrow the margin.

They were unable to get any closer and late on Buckley and Shane Liddy combined well to set up James O’Brien for a goal. Cian Hogan had a late point but there was no denying Charleville their deserved win and they have Blackrock and Carrigtwohill left to play.

Scorers for Charleville: D O’Flynn, D Forde 0-4 each, M Kavanagh 1-1, T Hawe, S Gleeson, J O’Brien 1-0 each, G Kelleher, C Buckley 0-2 each, K Cagney 0-1 f. 

Na Piarsaigh: R O’Sullivan 0-7 (0-5 f), S Forde 1-2, E Galvin 0-3, K Forde, L Sheehan, E Hannifin, C Hogan 0-1 each.

CHARLEVILLE: C Collins; D Butler, J Buckley, J Madigan; R Carroll, A Dennehy, F Cagney; K Cagney, D O’Flynn; G Kelleher, C Buckley, S Gleeson; M Kavanagh, D Forde, T Hawe. 

Subs: S Liddy for S Gleeson, J O’Brien for G Kelleher, B O’Connell for K Cagney.

NA PIARSAIGH: L O’Donovan; C Clancy, G Joyce, P Murphy; K Buckley, C O’Flynn, K Sheehan; K Forde, C Hogan; L Sheehan, R O’Sullivan, E Galvin; SP Cooke, S Forde, E Hannifin. 

Subs: D Lee for L O’Donovan, S Bowen for C Clancy, C Clancy for G Joyce (inj).

Referee: Aidan Hyland (Kilworth).