Kilkenny SHL- Classy first half sets Tullaroan on their way

Tullaroan continued their fine start to the season with a second league win on the trot over Glenmore in Clara on Saturday.

Tullaroan controlled the contest from the start and three first half goals from Gearoid Dunne, Ciallin Brennan and Dylan Simpson had them in a comanding position when leading 3-7 to 0-10 at the break.

Brennan then added another goal in the second period and with Dunne and Simpson running riot, it was a very comfortable victory in the end with Glenmore largely dependant on Ian Byrne’s excellence from placed balls.

After a heavy loss to Bennettsbridge in round 1, Glenmore needed to keep thing tight to begin with but within two minutes of play they had already conceded 1-1 with Kilkenny star Gearoid Dunne scoring Tullaroan’s opening goal.

Glenmore did reply with efforts from Billy Reid, Ian Byrne and Dean Croke but once Tullaroan added a second goal from Dylan Simpson in the 11th minute, it was mostly one way traffic.

Like against Dicksboro a week previous, Tullaroan looked incredibly dangerous in attack and it wasn’t long until Ciallin Brenn got their third goal and while Ian Byrne kept Glenmore honest, they left themselves with a lot to do at the change of ends.

Tullaroan then hit the first three points of the second period from Mossy Keoghan, Gearoid Dunne and Bill Walton to go 3-10 to 0-10 clear and forced Glenmore to try and work a few goals and while they did creat a few half-chances, the Tullaroan backline wasn’t for passing on this occasion.

Ciallin Brennan then got his second and Tullaroan’s fourth goal near the end of the third quarter and both sides attention slowly turned towards future engagements as it became clear the result was going in Tullaroan’s favour.

Glenmore will have been glad to get Alan Murphy back on the field and he registered a point fro play late but with Ger Aylward suspended, the South Kilkenny outfit lacked the required firepower in attack.

Tullaroan on the other hand looked very much at ease and even though Tommy Walsh was sidelined, they had excellent performers all over the pitch as they maintained their perfect start to the local league season.

Teams and Scorers

Tullaroan: Gearoid Dunne (1-6, 2fs and 2 ‘65’s); Dylan Simpson (1-4); Ciallin Brennan (2-0); Martin Keoghan (0-2); Bill Walton, Jim Moore, Shane Walsh, Josh Tallis (0-1 each)

Glenmore: Ian Byrne (0-10, 9fs); Darragh Vereker, Charlie Phelan, Billy Reid (0-2 each); Thomas Mullally, Alan Murphy, Cathal Beirne, Dean Croke (0-1 each)

Tullaroan: Paul Buggy; Joe Coughlan, Mark Simpson, Martin Walsh; Tomas Dunne, Padraig Walsh, Charlie Cleere; Bill Walton, Jack Keoghan; Dylan Simpson, Martin Keoghan, Bill Gaffney; Ciallin Brennan, Gearoid Dunne, Jim Moore. Subs: Shane Walsh for B.Walton, 40 mins; Peter Walsh for Brennan, 45 mins; Josh Moore for M.Walsh, 53 mins; Josh Tallis for Simpson, 53 mins.

Glenmore: Mikey Kirwan; Shane Duhig; Eoin Aylward, Richie Hennessy; Ciaran Vereker, Eoin Murphy, Shane Murphy; Billy Reid, Thomas Mullally; Cathal Beirne, Alan Murphy, Darragh Vereker; Dean Croke, Ian Byrne, Charlie Phelan.

Subs: Colm Roche for Duhig, 49 mins; Shane Doherty for C.Vereker, 49 mins; Ethan Phelan for D.Vereker, 53 mins.

Referee: Patrick O’Reilly (Barrow Rangers)