Pollard hunger too much for tepid Black and Ambers

Castlepollard claimed the first domestic honour in senior hurling this year with this nine-point drubbing of last year’s Examiner Cup champions Castletown Geoghegan, in TEG Cusack Park on Sunday morning last.

The Sunday morning throw in arose after the previous evenings weather put paid to the original fixture and indeed the few hours delay certainly did no harm to the Cionn Torc men as were simply hungrier, more cohesive and sharper than last year’s Senior champions. And in truth the margin of victory does not flatter them in the slightest although they did get two presents of goals.

That being said, from the throw in 'Pollard went after this title with gusto and great determination which cannot be said of a very lacklustre and out of sorts Castletown Geoghegan, who were a pale shadow of last year’s championship winning side. 'Pollard wanted this more and perhaps a lack of success over the last numbers of years has whetted the appetite and on this showing, they could well be dark horses for the championship to come.

Still, it's only June and a lot of pucking will pass before the championship is decided, but at least the Blue and Golds have made a perfect start to 2023.

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It was helter-skelter in the opening exchanges but scores were hard to come by from both sides, with David Devine opening the scoring for 'Pollard from long-range before Jack Gallagher equalised for Castletown, after a field long move. Andrew Dermody and Allan Devine pushed 'Pollard two clear with excellent team scores while Allan Devine added another with a solo strike.

But Castletown had drawn level by the 21st minute with two Niall O’Brien frees and a Peter Clarke effort that would have been a superb goal but for a brilliant save from Martin Egan in the Castlepollard goal. David Devine and Shane Clavin exchanged points before Brian Gilchrist netted the first of 'Pollard's goals, after superb interplay between Allan and David Devine set him up. Allan Devine added a free and Joe Rabbitt increased the advantage, but two Niall O’Brien frees and a fine score from close to the sideline by Clarke kept the Black and ambers in touch. However, Andrew Dermody, with a pearler from play, and a John McCarthy free, saw 'Pollard lead by 1-9 to 0-8 at the short whistle. Their lead possibly should have been mores considering they hit eight wides, but Castletown also managed five wides in what was a slightly fractured first moiety.

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Morgan Gavigan narrowed that gap less than 30 seconds after the restart with a marvellous point, but Castletown failed to add to that despite having the lion’s share of possession. Then calamity befell them when a 45-yard free from Allan Devine went all the way to the net without a touch laid on it. Niall O’Brien, with two frees, Gavigan, Clavin and Gallagher did raise Castletown supporters' hopes momentarily with five lovely points.

But Alan Devine (2, 1 free), Conor Sheridan and a wonderful team score finished by Gilchrist saw 'Pollard negate that bad patch and they started setting sail for home. Niall O’Brien had the gap back to just five points with possibly the score of the game with five odd minutes to go, but the final nail in the coffin was delivered by Gilchrist, who managed to get a flick to a McCarthy side line ball to net a third major for 'Pollard. It was a score that, in essence, finished the game as a contest.

McCarthy, from a free, Andrew Dermody, with a brilliant solo effort, and substitute Eoin English (after a great dispossession) added to the 'Pollard tally and gilded the lily, finishing with a wet sail. Despite some very late Castletown Geoghegan goal efforts, they could only manage a very late Niall O’Brien point that merely took the mean look off the result that was beyond question well decided before that score.

The 'Pollard faithful raised their hands and voices in triumph at an excellent and well deserved victory by their tenacious team. Afterwards, County Committee chairman Frank Mescall presented the league cup to a clearly delighted Colm Dermody, captain of the victorious Castlepollard side.

Scorers: Castlepollard: Brian Gilchrist 2-1, Allan Devine 1-5 (2 frees), Andrew Dermody 0-3, John McCarthy (2 frees) and David Devine 0-2 each, Joe Rabbitt, Conor Sheridan and Eoin English 0-1 each. Castletown Geoghegan: Niall O’Brien 0-8 (6 frees), Morgan Gavigan, Shane Clavin, Peter Clarke and Jack Gallagher 0-2 each.

Castlepollard: Martin Egan, Sean Lancaster, Darragh O’Reilly, Oisín Gaffney, Paul Dermody, Andrew Dermody, Conor Gaffney, Joe Rabbitt, Colm Dermody, John McCarthy, Charlie McCormack, David Devine, Allan Devine, Brian Gilchrist, Conor Sheridan. Subs: Eoin English for David Devine (50 mins).

Castletown Geoghegan: Ciaran Glennon, Aaron Glennon, Naoise McKenna, David Maloney, Ciaran O’Brien, Dean McDermott, Morgan Gavigan, Shane Clavin, Plunkett Maxwell, Peter Clarke, Niall O’Brien, Conor Murphy, Cormac Jackson, Joe Clarke, Jack Gallagher. Subs: Peter Murphy for Maxwell and Cian Gavigan for Murphy (38 mins), Neal Kirby for Joe Clarke (46 mins), Fergal O’Brien for Ciaran O’Brien and Mikey Lynam for Jackson (54 mins).

Referee: Sean Carroll (Cullion).