St Eunan's still unbeaten in Senior Hurling League following success at Aodh Ruadh

Three first half goals from an impressive St Eunan’s side paved the way for a comprehensive victory over Aodh Ruadh

Aodh Ruadh 1-9 St Eunan’s 5-12

Eunan’s looked a formidable force in the opening half where full forward Paul O’Donnell found the net twice with David Horgan hitting the first of his brace.

In reality, the game was all but over at the break as the winners led by 3-9 to 0-4. Aodh Ruadh made a match of it for about 20 minutes with Caelan Drummond scoring a thundering goal. But two late goals from Horgan and Meath native Fergal Delaney sealed the deal.

Aodh Ruadh had a dreadful start when keeper Kieran Daly’s attempted clearance fell nicely for O’Donnell to tap home in the third minute just after the lively Gavin Forde hit their opening point.

The visitors looked much sharper in the first quarter and raced into a 2-7 to 0-2 lead by the 15th minute. Delaney, Gavin Forde, Russell Forde and O’Donnell landed the points and O’Donnell goaled after Aodh Ruadh keeper Daly pulled off a fine save from Gavin Forde.

Aodh Ruadh responded with two well struck frees from marksman Gareth Sheerin. It got even better for the winners in the 18th minute when Horgan goaled again as Russell Forde landed the frees to put the Letterkenny side into a 3-9 to 0-4 half time lead-with Sheerin hitting all of the home side’s scores.

The scoring rate dropped dramatically in the third quarter as Aodh Ruadh improved, inspired by Ryan O’Brien, Kyle McNulty and Caelan Drummond. They were able to get to grips with the Forde brothers in this period as Kenzie Ayres replaced Daly in goals.

Kyle McNulty (2) and Caelan Drummond burst through the Eunan’s defence for a fine goal in the 43rd minute. Russell Forde was replying with frees for Eunan’s who led by 3-12 to 1-7 eight minutes from time.

But they pulled well clear again in the closing stages as Horgan and Delaney grabbed two late goals for a thoroughly deserved victory.

Aodh Ruadh scorers: Gareth Sheerin 0-5, 5f; Caelan Drummon 1-0; Kyle McNulty 0-2; Senan Rooney and Ryan O’Brien 0-1.
St Eunan’s scorers: Paul O’Donnell 2-1; David Horgan 2-1; Russell Forde 0-5, 5f; Fergal Delaney 1-1; Gavin Forde 0-3; Brendan Horgan 0-1.

Aodh Ruadh: Kieran Daly; Ciaran Rami, Aaron Neilan, Kyle McNulty; Callum Ayres, Caelan Drummond, Ryan O’Brien; Senan Rooney, Ryan McCormack; James Gallagher, Cian McKenna, Gareth Sheerin; Shane Brady, Deva Ayres, Jason Patterson. Subs;Kenzie Ayres for Kieran Daly (h-time).
St Eunan’s: Cian Hennessy, J P Curran, John McIntyre, Mark Mulholland; Conor Neely, Lorcan Heavey, Chris Murray; Brendan Horgan, Sean Halvey; Calvin Aidoo, Fergal Delaney, David Horgan; Russell Forde, Paul O’Donnell, Gavin Forde.Subs; Johnny Lambe for Calvin Aidoo (32) Daire McBride for Cian Hennessy (38), Lee Scanlon for Paul O’Donnell (54), Eoin Boyle for David Horgan (57).
Referee: James Callaghan (Setanta)