Cloughduv 3-18

Argideen Rangers 1-14

JJ HURLEY REPORTS

HAT-TRICK hero Brian Verling sent Cloughduv into a county semi-final pairing against Glen Rovers as they brushed Argideen Rangers aside in Ballygarvan on Sunday.

The quarter-final drew a large attendance for the eagerly-awaited contest in the Co-op Superstore Premier Junior A Hurling Championship, but it was a game that never caught alight.

In truth, despite having the wind at their backs for the second thirty minutes, the half-time deficit of 1-12 to 1-3 was always going to be a challenge, but it became insurmountable as Verling added goals on 34 and 44 minutes.

An obviously disappointed Rangers boss Jim Foley accepted they were beaten on the day by the better side but felt his team didn’t do themselves justice.

‘Cloughduv are a very good team and I think they will have a huge say in the destiny of the championship, but that’s not what I am disappointed about,’ he said. ‘I am disappointed we didn’t perform to our ability. We know in our group we are better than that and that’s what is disappointing.’

Asked if it was a decision to play against the wind, he replied, ‘We lost the toss and it went from there.’

Certainly, it was evident after seven minutes that the Muskerry men were up for the contest as Brian Verling, Max O’Leary and Aaron Elliot all struck over for points.

Sean Walsh hit his side’s opener on ten minutes, but they trailed by 0-6 to 0-1 on 13 minutes; Mark Verling had also contributed to the scoring.

Agrideen Rangers' John Michael O'Callaghan goes for a point despite the attempt to block from Cloughduv's Aaron Elliot.

A point apiece over the next two minutes was followed by a Dara Walsh goal supplied by a pass from John Michael O’Callaghan.

The relief for the Rangers supporters was only a momentary comfort as Verling scored his first of three goals almost immediately up the other end.

From there to the interval, it was one-way traffic as the rampant Cloughduv side hit five on the bounce, with a fine effort from Sean O’Leary among them.

The hardworking Charlie Twomey threw his side a glimmer of hope leading up to the interval, but a Mark Walsh point ensured Cloughduv led by 1-12 to 1-3 at the break.

A second goal from Verling was not what the Carbery men wanted, but they did come back with two points from Matthew Lawton and Twomey.

However, the tormentors-in-chief, the Verlings, had a point apiece as they extended their lead to 2-14 to 1-5 on 41 minutes.

By the 43rd minute the game was all but over as Brian Verling claimed his third goal, eventually finishing the contest with an impressive score of 3-3.

A mini rally from a brave Argideen side produced four points without reply as Twomey, James Crowley, Walsh and O’Callaghan were all on target to leave it 3-15 to 1-10 between the sides with eight minutes remaining.

And while both sides added to their totals, with a fine individual effort from Crowley, it’s Cloughduv who march on to meet the Glen, as Argideen Rangers switch focus to a clash with Kilbrittain in the Carbery JAFC in Ballinascarthy on Sunday at 2pm.

Scorers 

Cloughduv: B Verling 3-3; M Verling 0-6 (3f); S O’Leary 0-3; M Walsh 0-2; A Elliot, A O’Leary, A Twomey, M O’Leary 0-1 each.

Argideen Rangers: D Walsh 1-3; C Twomey 0-5 (3f); JM O’Callaghan 0-4 (3f); M Lawton, J Crowley 0-1 each.

Cloughduv: S O’Donoghue; J Moynihan, P O’Driscoll, L Kelleher; O O’Driscoll, E Clifford, M O’Leary; M Walsh, A Elliot; B Verling, A Murphy, M Verling; S O’Leary, A Twomey, A O’Leary.

Subs: E McNabola for A Twomey (38), C O’Leary for A Elliot (47), O McDonald for A O’Leary (47), D Ring for M Verling (52), C Canty for M O’Leary (52).

Argideen Rangers: J Sheehan; D O’Donovan, G Crowley, J Crowley; A Guinevan, D Hurley, B Fleming; F Walsh, M Lawton; J Michael O’Callaghan, C O’Donovan, C Twomey; D Walsh, P Butler, S Walsh.

Subs: F Butler for S Walsh (29), D Deasy for C O’Donovan (32), S Henchion for P Butler (47), S Maxwell for A Guinevan (47).

Referee: Brian Murphy (Carrigtwohill).