Brace from Aherne helps Raharney down Dalton’s

Raharney 3-15 Fr Dalton's 0-15

By Robert Kindregan

Raharney maintained their perfect start to the Senior Hurling Championship with a convincing nine-point win over Fr Dalton’s in round three at Castletown Geoghegan on Friday evening, thanks largely to three first-half goals, two of them from Eoghan Aherne.

The win leaves Raharney top of the table on six points, while their Ballymore opponents remain without a win after three games.

Fr Dalton’s played some excellent hurling, particularly when full-forward Owen McCabe was involved. He finished with eight points, including three outstanding scores from sideline cuts.

Aherne finished with 2-1, while Raharney’s three first-half goals ultimately secured their nine-point winning margin.

Despite leading 3-9 to 0-6 at the break, Johnny Greville’s men were wasteful at times, hitting 11 wides in the opening half. However, their ability to create chances, score from distance and find the net proved decisive.

Fr Dalton’s enjoyed the better of the second half, outscoring Raharney by three points. They continued to chase a goal until the closing stages, but Raharney’s full-back line repeatedly denied them.

Played in excellent conditions for hurling on a cool evening with little wind, Raharney began brightly with three quick points; a halfway-line free from Eamon Cunneen, a nice score down the right from Aherne and, after winning the subsequent puckout, Killian Doyle struck over from around the 65-metre line.

Daltons opened their account through Jack Kearney, who converted after a quick burst into space. McCabe followed with a clever point off his left before levelling the game with an excellent sideline cut after eight minutes.

Michael Doherty restored Raharney’s lead, soloing 20 metres before striking over off his left. Killian Doyle and Ciaran Doyle followed with points as Raharney began to create a steady stream of chances.

Raharney broke away when Eoin Keyes burst through the centre and squared for Caolan Ready, who made no mistake in finding the net. Daltons replied through Ronan McLoughlin from play and a McCabe 65, but Aherne spotted space in the defence and buried Raharney’s second goal.

Michael Doherty struck from distance before McCabe added a second superb sideline cut from the right. Cunneen replied with a long-range free before Raharney moved ten points clear when Keyes picked out Aherne, who struck the ball off the ground and into the net beyond the advancing Eoin Moran.

Joey Boyle added Raharney’s final score of the half as they led 3-9 to 0-6 at the interval.

Jack Kearney opened the second half with a well-struck free from near the centre of the pitch. Ciaran Doyle converted a free of his own before McCabe landed his third sideline cut, this time from the left.

Both sides then traded scores, with Owen McCabe adding two frees for Fr Dalton’s, while Eamon Cunneen and Michael Doherty replied for Raharney.

Eoin Nally landed the 11th Dalton’s point on 45 minutes after a well-worked move, but Ciaran Doyle quickly cancelled it out with a free.

Ronan McLoughlin added his third point with five minutes remaining. Cunneen responded for Raharney before McCabe’s deflected effort on goal sailed over the bar and Jack Kearney rounded off the scoring with an excellent point from play.

Raharney comfortably saw out the closing stages to remain unbeaten, though sterner tests await against last year’s finalists, Castletown Geoghegan and Lough Lene Gaels.

Fr Dalton’s will take encouragement from scoring 15 points against a strong Raharney side and will hope to pick up results from their remaining two games to avoid relegation.

Player of the match: Owen McCabe (Fr Dalton's). He demonstrated exceptional skill with three superb sideline scores and finished as the game’s top scorer with eight points.

Scorers – Raharney: E Aherne 2-1, E Cunneen 0-4 (0-3f), C Doyle 0-3 (0-2f), C Ready 1-0, K Doyle 0-2, D Finn 0-2, M Doherty 0-1, J Boyle 0-1, E Keyes 0-1. Fr Dalton’s: O McCabe 0-8 (0-3f, 0-3s), R McLoughlin 0-3, J Kearney 0-3 (0-1f), E Nally 0-1

Raharney: Aaron McHugh, Gary Greville, Jamie Mulkearns, Sean Quinn, Eamon Cunneen, Rory Keyes, Robbie Greville, Darren Finn, Michael Doherty, Joey Boyle, Ciaran Doyle, Eoin Keyes, Eoghan Aherne, Caolan Ready, Killian Doyle. Subs: Darragh Core for S Quinn (ht), Robbie Coyne for J Mulkearns (55), Brian McGrath for K Doyle (55)

Fr Dalton’s: Eoin Moran, Eoin Ryan, Kenneth Kincaid, Eoghan Bannon, Ronan Hanley, Brian McCabe, Ciaran Clear, Colm O’Roarke, Jack Kearney, Ivan Smyth, Eoin Nally, Padraig Nestor, Ronan McLoughlin, Owen McCabe, John Gilligan. Subs: Patrick Kiernan for C O’Roarke (40), Ben Martin (30), Brian Finnerty (58), Luke Smyth for P Nestor (58).

Referee: Bernard Heaney.