Lattin Cullen march on in the championship following an important win over Cashel

By Francis Coughlan at Golden 

Defending champions Lattin/Cullen finally got off the mark at the third attempt in this year’s Gleeson Concrete West Junior A Hurling Championship when getting the better of Cashel King Cormacs at Golden on Saturday evening.

A blistering second quarter helped by two goals from Stephen Carey, which saw them outscore their opponents 2-8 to 0-2 ultimately decided this encounter and ended Cashel King Cormacs participation in this year’s competition. 

Cashel were to the fore in the early stages which was marred by a heavy shower. Points from Colin Ryan, Jonathan Walsh, and Oisin Dwan had them four points to one up after ten minutes. Lattin/Cullen struggled to find their radar early on and it was the eighth minute before Cathal Dillon opened their account from a placed ball.

This score seemed to settle the defending champions and helped by two from Diarmuid Looby who started at centre forward the sides were level at four a piece by the eleventh minute. Another Cathal Dillon pointed free briefly had Lattin/Cullen in front but David McGrath quickly had the sides level as they entered the second quarter.

The sides were level for the third and final time minutes later when Diarmuid Looby and Jonathan Walsh swapped points. Helped by two more Dillon frees Lattin/Cullen pushed three clear and then doubled that lead in the twenty third minute when Stephen Carey got in for his first goal. Diarmuid Looby winning possession out around the forty-five-yard line, turned and ran at the Cashel defence before passing to Carey on the edge of the square who shot past the advancing Ross Doyle.

A minute later Cathal Dillon turned provider and Carey scored from almost an identical position. By half time Cathal Dillon had found his range again from placed balls and Stephen Carey had added a point from play to see Lattin/Cullen ahead, 2-13 to 0-7.

Cashel King Cormacs introduced Mickey Coleman for the second half and he would make a big contribution. It was the ninth minute before the half’s opening score through a Johnny Walsh free and h hit three in a row in the space of two minutes. As the third quarter was drawing to a close Cathal Dillon got Lattin/Cullen off the mark for the half.

Cashel though continued to rally and two more from Johnny Walsh and one form Mickey Coleman before an effort from Walsh deceived the keeper and went all the way to the net. The gap now at a manageable six points.

Cashel had further chances in this time with close range frees but decided to go for goal where the opposition defence stood strong. The defending champions finished strongly with Dillon again on target from placed balls as they outscored their opponents 0-6 to 0-3 in the final ten minutes.

Lattin/Cullen are now through to the semi-finals. They face Rockwell Rovers in the final game of the round robin and this will determine the third and fourth spots in the final placings. Galtee Rovers and Clonoulty/Rossmore meet to determine first and second. The semi-finals with see first v fourth and second v third. 

Scorers and Teams:
Lattin/Cullen: Cathal Dillon (0-11, (0-10f)), Stephen Carey (2-1), Diarmuid Looby (0-4), Ben Carey (0-2), Tony O’Neill (0-1), Jack O’Halloran (0-1), Kevin Franks (0-1), Patrick O’Donoghue (0-1)

Cashel King Cormacs: Jonathan Walsh (1-11, 0-9f)), Mickey Coleman (0-2), Colin Ryan (0-1), Oisin Dwan (0-1), David McGrath (0-1)

Lattin/Cullen: Jack Whelton, Thomas O’Donoghue, Mark Hanley, Shane Russell, Laurence Coskeran, Barry Grogan, Timmy Corcoran, Ben Carey, Ed O’Meara, Jack O’Halloran, Diarmuid Looby, Mark Russell, Cathal Dillon, Stephen Carey, Tony O’Neill
Subs Used: Tadgh Carew, Micheal Russell, Kevin Franks, Michael Elligot, Patrick O’Donoghue

Cashel King Cormacs: Ross Doyle, Paddy Morrissey, Alan Cummins, John Gaffney, John Darmody, Fearghail O’Donoghue, Donal Ryan, Oisin Dwan, Aaron Breen, Robbie Anglim, Jonathan Walsh, Ross Whelan, Adrian O’Dwyer, Colin Ryan, David McGrath

Subs Used: Mickey Coleman, Conor O’Dwyer 

Referee: Tom Dawson (Eire Og Annacarty Donohill)