Lough Lene Gaels cruise past Delvin with dominant display

Lough Lene Gaels 6-30, Delvin 0-22

By Shane King

David Williams was to the fore, scoring 2-11, as Lough Lene Gaels opened their Senior 'A' Hurling Championship campaign in emphatic fashion with a comprehensive victory over Delvin in Robinstown on Sunday.

For Delvin, it was a first championship outing at this level since securing promotion from the Senior ‘B’ ranks last season. The newcomers acquitted themselves well during a competitive first half, with Josh Coll and Darragh Clinton leading the way and helping their side remain firmly in contention.

However, goals from Marcus Kennedy and Williams helped the Gaels establish a seven-point half-time lead, and once they gained the benefit of a strong breeze after the restart, last year’s finalists pulled away decisively. The Collinstown side showed serious intent for championship honours with a dominant second-half display, finishing with an impressive tally of 6-30.

Delvin made an ideal start, Josh Coll opening the scoring inside the opening minute before Darragh Clinton followed with an excellent sideline cut to put the maroon and white-clad side two points clear.

The Gaels soon settled, with David Williams and Enda Newman exchanging points before Shane Williams reduced the deficit. Patrick Clune restored Delvin’s advantage after good work by Luke Coll, but the Gaels responded through a David Williams free before claiming the game’s opening goal.

A well-worked move involving Tommy Doyle, Shane Williams and Derek McNicholas ended with Kennedy applying the finish to the net and giving Lough Lene Gaels the lead.

Clinton replied from play for Delvin, while McNicholas pointed after reacting quickest to a breaking ball following a goalmouth scramble.

Delvin remained within touching distance through scores from Clinton and Fintan Cox, but a David Williams free kept the Gaels ticking over. Clinton added another placed ball before Lough Lene Gaels enjoyed a productive spell.

Jason Malone opened the sequence, followed by points from Eoin Daly, David Williams from a difficult angle and Kennedy, after another accurate delivery from Tommy Doyle, as the lead stretched to four.

Josh Coll responded after being set up by Luke Coll, but the Gaels then struck a decisive blow. Shane Williams pointed before McNicholas surged forward, collected a loose ball and fed David Williams, who rifled to the net.

Kennedy added a point to extend the advantage, though Delvin remained competitive with Josh Coll and Clinton both finding the target before Kennedy closed the half with a point, leaving the Gaels 2-12 to 0-11 ahead at the interval.

Clinton opened the second-half scoring from a free, but David Williams quickly demonstrated his class with a converted 65’ and an excellent point from play following a slick move.

Delvin responded through Clinton after good work from Patrick Farrington, and the two sides exchanged further scores through Williams and Clinton before the contest effectively slipped away from the promoted side.

Ryan Williams initiated a dominant Gaels spell with a point before Kennedy supplied the pass for David Williams to net his second goal. Williams followed with two more points, while Jason Malone and Ryan Williams also raised white flags as the gap widened rapidly.

Although Clinton halted the run with a free, the momentum remained firmly with the Gaels. Midway through the half, McNicholas burst through the Delvin defence to score their fourth goal.

Clinton continued to battle for Delvin and replied with a point from play, while Shane Williams and Malone added further scores for the winners. Despite depleting energy, Delvin continued to show spirit, with Newman and Clinton both contributing fine points.

Williams added another free before Kennedy grabbed his second goal after good approach play involving Shane Williams and Brendan Doyle. Shane Williams then followed with a point as the margin continued to grow.

Delvin registered late scores through Farrington, Adam Ennis and Newman, but the closing stages belonged entirely to Lough Lene Gaels.

Their depth of scoring was highlighted as corner-back Philip Reilly joined the attack to point from play, while substitutes Alex Little and Cathal Óg Fagan also made their mark. Fagan struck 1-1, and Brendan Doyle completed the scoring as the Gaels capped an impressive championship-opening performance.

Scorers - Lough Lene Gaels: D Williams 2-11 (5f, 1’65), M Kennedy 2-2, Shane Williams 0-4, D McNicholas and C Fagan 1-1 each, J Malone and R Williams 0-3 each, E Daly 0-2, P Reilly, A Little and B Doyle 0-1 each.

Delvin: D Clinton 0-11 (6f), J Coll 0-4, E Newman 0-3, P Clune, F Cox, P Farrington and A Ennis 0-1 each.

Lough Lene Gaels: Noel Conaty; Philip Reilly, Dan Higgins, Daire Daly; Jason Malone, Darragh Qamar, Tommy Doyle; Michael Daly, Brendan Doyle; Eoin Daly, Derek McNicholas, Shane Williams; Ryan Williams, David Williams, Marcus Kennedy. Subs: Alex Little for E Daly (41), Thomas Kennedy for M Daly (47), Cathal Óg Fagan for McNicholas (48), Jordan Williams for R Williams (52), Aaron Hill for D Daly (54).

Delvin: Stephen Reilly; Patrick Ryan, Sean Hoctor, Jack Forde; Dean Poynton, Adam Ennis, Alan Cox; Josh Coll, Patrick Farrington; Enda Newman, Darragh Clinton, Luke Coll; Ciarán Fenlon, Fintan Cox, Patrick Clune. Subs: Eoin Carolan for L Coll (49).

Referee: Barry Nea (Clonkill).

Examiner's Eye on the game

Man of the Match

David Williams (Lough Lene Gaels). Williams was the standout performer on the day, finishing with an impressive 2-11 and causing constant problems for the Delvin defence. His accuracy from placed balls, clinical finishing and all-round play were central to the Gaels’ victory.

Key Moment

There was no single defining moment in a contest that Lough Lene Gaels gradually took control of. Instead, the decisive factor was their dominant third-quarter spell with the aid of the strong breeze.

Talking Point

Last season’s finalists looked very sharp and dangerous in attack, with a wide spread of scorers contributing. Tougher tests undoubtedly await, but this performance suggested they are well equipped to mount another serious challenge for championship honours.

Entertainment Value - 6/10

Next up

Lough Lene Gaels play Fr Dalton’s, while Delvin meet Raharney in the second round (weekend of July 19).