ACHL Division 1
Rossa 0-14 Ballygalget 1-16
Ballygalget started and finished strongly at Rossa Park on Sunday to record their second win of the season and inflicted a second defeat on high riding Rossa in an entertaining contest in windy conditions.
It was the home side who had that wind in their favour in the opening half but they were rattled by a Caolan Coulter goal for the visitors after 2 minutes and it would prove an important goal in the end.
Rossa did make a positive response with points from Aodhan O’Brien 0-2, Thomas Morgan and Eoin Trainor to lead by the 11th minute before Coulter levelled matters with a neat, over the shoulder reply.
The Shaw’s Road side attempted to respond but Eoin Clarke in the Ballygalget goals brought off a good save to deny O’Brien before James Connolly pointed from out near the sideline to restore the Rossa lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Back came the men from down the ‘Ards’ and John McManus, Caolan Coulter and Shea Pucci hit three on the bounce by the 21st minute before Connolly responded with his second of the evening for the Rossa Park men.
The visitors were playing controlled hurling into the breeze and making better use of their opportunities and Oisin Coulter, Tim Prenter and Shea Pucci added points.
Thomas Morgan replied for Rossa with Eoin Pucci responding immediately for the visitors and Tim Prenter replied to a massive point from Gerard Walsh to leave it 0-9 to 1-8 in favour of the county Down side as Kevin Parke called for half time.
Now playing into the breeze, Rossa looked to have a bit to do if they were to maintain their recent good form and Aodhan O’Brien gave them a great start to the second half when he pointed after 30 seconds.
Back came Ballygalget with points from Caolan Coulter and Shea Pucci to extend their lead to three with only three minutes of the new half gone and it was going to take a massive effort if the home side were to overturn this lead.
Both sides then began to exchange scores with Eoghan McMenamin’s point bring a reply from Eoin Pucci and Gerard Walsh’s score bring another reply from the same player.
The tit for tat exchanges continued with Gerard Walsh, Deaglan Murphy and Thomas Morgan sending over for the home side and Eoin Pucci, Tim Prenter and Shea Pucci keeping the score board ticking with points at the other end.
Morgan’s point on 25 minutes left just a goal between the sides but that would be as close as Rossa got with Eoin Pucci and Odhran Birt ensuring there would be no way back with late points for the visitors.
An entertaining game of hurling but it was the visitor’s ability to control the pace of the game in the opening half that would decide matters on the day.
They had excellent performers in Caolan Coulter, Sheas Pucci, Eoin Pucci, Tim Prenter and John McManus while Aodhan O’Brien, Eoghan McMenamin, Thomas Morgan and Gerard Walsh caught the eye for Rossa.
Referee: Kevin Parke (St. Enda’s)
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