Hunterstown impress against O'Raghallaighs
O'Raghallaighs 3-8 Hunterstown Rovers 2-19
Hunterstown Rovers secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Louth Intermediate Football Championship with an impressive victory over O'Raghallaighs in a high-scoring game at Darver on Saturday evening.
After a competitive first half, Hunterstown’s quality shone through in the second period, where they overturned a halftime deficit to claim a comfortable win.
The reigning Division 2 champions displayed their class, particularly in the second half, to maintain their 100% record in the group.
O'Raghallaighs came into this clash determined to put up a fight against the Division 2 champions, and they made a strong start.
Eoin Moore opened the scoring with a fine point in the 2nd minute, setting the tone for an end-to-end first half.
Despite early points from Hunterstown’s Ryan Burns and Ryan Ward, O'Raghallaighs were the more clinical side, capitalizing on Hunterstown’s lack of concentration.
A well-worked goal by Danny Reilly in the 22nd minute, followed by a second from Kyle McElroy just before halftime, saw O'Raghallaighs take control.
At the break, they led 2-6 to 0-8, with Hunterstown’s Ryan Burns keeping his side in touch with some crucial scores, including a remarkable free in the dying moments of the first half.
However, Seán Barry’s side came out with renewed vigour in the second half. Wing-back David Flynn scored within 15 seconds of the restart, and from there, Hunterstown began to take charge.
Ryan Burns was once again pivotal, converting a penalty in the 37th minute to bring Hunterstown back within a point.
Shortly after, David Finn added a second goal for Hunterstown, pouncing on a rebound after his initial effort was saved.
This goal marked the turning point, as Hunterstown went from trailing by four points to leading by five in just over ten minutes.
O'Raghallaighs struggled to regain their composure after Hunterstown's onslaught, and while Kyle McElroy and Ben Rogan added to their goal tally, it wasn’t enough to stop the tide.
Hunterstown continued to rack up points, with Ryan Burns, James Rogers, and David Finn all contributing to an impressive second-half tally.
In the final stages, Hunterstown’s experience and quality were evident as they closed out the game with a flurry of points, finishing with a 2-19 to 3-8 victory.
The Reds showcased why they are among the favourites for the Seamus Flood Cup with a dominant second-half performance.
Despite a brave O'Raghallaighs effort, they couldn’t sustain their first-half momentum and will need to regroup ahead of their next game against Dundalk Young Irelands.
O'Raghallaighs: Joe Finnegan; James Morgan, Alan Doyle, Ewan Sweeney; Danny Morgan, Stephen Murphy, Emmet King; Ruairí Moore (c) (0-1), Eoin Moore (0-1); Conor McGinty, Kyle McElroy (1-3, 1 45), Danny Reilly (1-0); Olan Walsh (0-1), Barry Flanagan (0-1), Ben Rogan (1-0).
Subs: Cillian Curran on for Sweeney (25'), Eseosa Omoregbe on for Morgan (45'), John Horan on for (59').
Hunterstown Rovers: Donovan Sheridan; Euan Woodlock, Michéal Reid, Cillian Taaffe; Daithi Carroll, Patrick Taaffe, David Finn (1-3); Shane Halpenny, Aaron Levins; Jamie O'Callaghan (0-2), Ryan Burns (c) (1-6, 4f), Ciarán Russell; James Rogers (0-2), Ryan Ward (0-4), Glen Mathews.
Subs: Paul Carrie (0-1) (HT), Tony McKenna on for O'Callaghan (41'), Alan Landy on for Ryan Ward (59').