Leonard shines as Brownstown claim victory in tight contest

Brownstown 1-12, Raharney 0-12

In Collinstown on Saturday evening last Brownstown cemented their place at the top of the table with this hard fought but merited win against old rivals Raharney.

Ironically as results filtered through it appeared that this is just a precursor to the championship semi-final where both teams will lock horns again in a couple of weeks’ time. That being said both teams gave their all on this occasion and the next instalment will be every bit as competitive, hopefully. On the evening the Archerstown blues had three points in hand at the final whistle but it was tit for tat throughout. The game could have swung either way with Raharney's second team really putting it up to their more fancied opponents.

The second quarter was where Brownstown won this game, but they will know it will take a full 60 minute performance if they are to make this year’s Intermediate hurling final.

The opening quarter was a stalemate with defences on top and far too many basic errors. It was four apiece after 15 minutes with Brownstown’s scores coming from Emmett Cunneen, Tom Flynn and two from Donal Lane (1 free). Raharney replied through a super Daragh Core effort and three Donie Mullen frees.

Brownstown hit the front with a marvelous Tiernan Purcell strike from almost on the sideline followed immediately by a foul on Shaun Smyth which Niall Leonard converted with aplomb.

Purcell and Leonard added two more excellent points from play and Brownstown led by six, but Raharney replied with three in a row themselves from Daragh Core, Ryan O’Neill and another Mullen free.

Cormac Foley pointed a monster free for Brownstown and Leonard finished the scoring with the best point of the half from a very acute angle and Brownstown led 1-9 to 0-7 at the short whistle.

Brownstown turned with the slight breeze on their back and they went on the offensive but Raharney keeper Darragh Weir made two superb saves in succession to keep his side in the game.

A Mullen free and a marvelous point from distance by wing back Dean Core quickly saw the game back to a single score.

Robbie Dugdale settled the Brownstown nerves with a fine point, their first of the half, but immediately Mullen replied at the other end from a free.

The game then hit a serious lull with wide after wide, mostly from Brownstown and Darragh Core lifted the malaise with a quite brilliant point from tight to the sideline and now just two separated the side with 10 minutes to go.

Neither side could wrest the initiative though and when Brownstown added two in a row from sub Jamie Fitzsimons and Tom Flynn, it seemed as if the game had been finally put to bed.

However, Darragh Core picked off an unbelievable point for Raharney and just a goal divided the sides. That was as good as it got though as Brownstown held on to claim the victory on the evening and will go into the rematch knowing they have what it takes to beat Raharney.

For the Deelsiders it's time to reflect and reprogramme.

Scorers - Brownstown: Niall Leonard 1-1, Tiernan Purcell , Tom Flynn and Donal Lane (1 free) 0-2 each, Cormac Foley(free), Robbie Dugdale, Emmett Cunneen, Shaun Smyth and Jamie Fitzsimons 0-1 each.

Raharney: Donal Mullen 0-6 (all frees), Daragh Core 0-4, Dean Core and Ryan O’Neill 0-1 each.

Brownstown: James Moore; Oisin Kiernan, Paddy Reilly, Kenny Higgins; Cormac Foley, Conor Shaw, Anthony Mulvaney; Brian Guerin, Robbie Dugdale; Tiernan Purcell, Emmet Cunneen, Tom Flynn; Donal Lane, Shaun Smyth, Niall Leonard. Subs used: Jamie Fitzsimons for Lane H/T, Conor Rice for Cunneen 47 mins, Phillip Gilsenan for Smyth 59 mins.

Raharney: Darragh Weir; Matt Shaw, Jack Coyne, Conor O’Donoghue; Luke Darby, Pearse Weir, Dean Core; Callum McKeogh, Leon Broderick; Donal Mullen, Brian Smyth, Eoin Weir; Darragh Core, Ryan O’Neill, Aaron Ready. Subs used: Jamie Carr for Eoin Weir 48 mins, Paddy Kelly for O’Neill and Nathan McCabe for O’Donoghue 57 mins.

Referee: Matt Shaw (Clonkill).

Examiner's Eye on the game

Man of The Match

Darragh Core, Coyne and Mullen were best for Raharney, while Shaw, Guerin and Purcell shone for Brownstown. However, Niall Leonard gets the nod for an excellent all-round display.

Entertainment value - 7/10