Goal from former All-Ireland-winning Tipperary captain Eoin Kelly does the trick for Mullinahone

Mullinahone 1-26 Roscrea 2-20

Mullinahone got their County Senior Hurling Championship campaign back on track by securing their first win against a now winless from-two Roscrea.

The South Tipp side had lost their opening game against Thurles Sarsfields, but they got off the blocks quicker here when they raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after just eight minutes of play in Holycross on Saturday evening.

Roscrea had the first goal chance of the game in the 10th minute, but Mullinahone goalie Eoin Kelly easily stopped Kenny Lee’s weak attempt. Roscrea responded with scores from Luke Cashin to only trail by two after the first 15 minutes, 0-6 to 0-4.

The North Tipp side then put Cashin into the full forward line, which caused trouble for the Mullinahone full back line.

However, Roscrea’s problem throughout the first half was their finishing, as they had nine wides in total, with some Hail Mary shots at the goal.

The closing quarter of the half was nip and tuck throughout, with neither side pulling away as they headed into the half-time break level at 0-12 apiece.

Roscrea came out for the second half and scored two points in the opening 60 seconds, but Mullinahone took control.
Former inter-county hurler Sean Curran played an instrumental role, scoring three points in a row before the decisive moment in the match.

A long ball by Kelly was caught by Jack Shelly, leaving the Roscrea defender with no option but to drag down the attacker in a black card-like tackle. Up stepped the former All-Ireland winning captain Eoin Kelly, who blasted the penalty into the top left corner of the net. Two more scores by Curran had Mullinahone leading 1-19 to 0-17 with 16 minutes remaining.

The game was all wrapped up until Roscrea got a lifeline when Shane Fletcher was quickest to react from a Cashin free to pull on the ball into the back of the net to bring the gap back to five in the 58th minute, 1-25 to 1-20.

Another green flag was raised after a long-distance strike from Cashin hopped into the net, but Eoin Kelly was saved any embarrassment as referee Fergal Horgan deemed that the Roscrea attackers were interfering with play, and a square ball was called.

The third green flag of the game was raised in the 61st minute for Roscrea, and this one was allowed as Tipp star Alan Tynan rattled the crossbar and then followed in the dropping ball to pull it into the back of the net to make it 2-20 to 1-26.
Roscrea tried to get another goal, but the Mullinahone defence stood firm and claimed the victory.

Mullinahone will play the Eddie Brennan-led Moycarkey Borris in the battle for second place, while Roscrea will play for pride against a two wins from two Thurles Sarsfields.

Scorers: Mullinahone: Sean Curran 0-9 (0-4 frees, 1 ‘65), Michael Dunne 0-8 (0-3 frees), Eoin Kelly 1-0 penalty, Enda Keane 0-2, Jack Shelly, Darragh Linnane, Danny Dunne, Eoin Doyle, Martin Kehoe, Eanna Ryan and Kevin Walzer 0-1 each.

Roscrea: Luke Cashin 0-10 (0-8 frees, 0-1 65), Shane Fletcher and Alan Tynan (1-2 each), Conor Sheedy 0-2 (0-1 free), Conor Dooley, Evan Fitzpatrick, Kenny Lee and Darragh Tynan 0-1 each.

Mullinahone: Eoin Kelly; Darragh Linnane, Paul Curran, Colin Shelly; Eanna Ryan, Eoin Fennelly, Martin Kehoe; Daire O’Brien, Sean Curran; Kevin Walzer, Jack Shelly, Eoin O’Dywer; Sam Rowan, Michael Dunne, Danny Dunne.

Subs: Rian O’Halloran for Daire O’Brien (47 minutes), Matthew Direen for Kevin Walzer (56 minutes).

Roscrea: Enda Moloney; Glen Loughnane, Shane Davis, Luke Seacy; Dan Ryan, Darragh Tynan, Conor Sheedy; Luke Cashin, Owen Tynan; Alan Tynan, Conor Booth, Evan Fitzpatrick; Shane Fletcher, Conor Dooley, Kenny Lee.

Subs: Lee Loughnane for Conor Booth (44 minutes), Sam Dooley for Kenny Lee (50 minutes).

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla/Donaskeigh Kickhams).