Dungarvan's Johnny Lynch on the attack against Lismore's Shane Heaphy. | Photo: Sean Byrne
The game of the opening round of the Snowcream County Senior Hurling Championship was without doubt the meeting of last year’s beaten finalists Lismore and county intermediate champions Dungarvan at Cappoquin on Sunday afternoon.
The Old Boro won the intermediate championship in dramatic fashion with a very young team, beating Ardmore in the western final and then Clonea in the county decider at Walsh Park.
There are many followers of the GAA in the Deise delighted to see Dungarvan back in senior ranks after what many would regard as a stint too long in the second tier of championship hurling.
However, there were those who feared they might well be too young to retain senior status but going on this game, supporters have little to worry about on that score. Despite going under to a more experienced outfit in this game, they should take some solace in that they played exceptionally well in this match and will cause problems for many teams in the weeks and months ahead both in the championship and in the county’s leagues which are also up and running.
Dungarvan’s Colm Curran registered the club’s first score in senior ranks when he pointed after just two minutes. The early lead however was a short lived one as by the tenth minute Lismore were three points to one to the good, thanks to a Dan Shanahan point from play and a brace from his younger brother Maurice from placed balls.
Ten minutes later the side from the heritage town held a five points to two lead. Maurice Shanahan slotted over another point from a free and Shane Heafy with an effort from play brought Lismore’s tally to five while Cormac Curran pointed from play for Jimmy Healy’s charges.
Curran brought the difference between the sides down to the minimum when he hit a brace of points inside a minute before cousins John and Padraig Prendergast hit delightful points for Lismore.
See The Munster Express newspaper for full match report.
