Leixlip continue to look a cut above the rest
Moorefield's Muiris Curtin is put under pressure by Leixlip's James Canning. Photo: Sean Brilly
Leixlip made it four wins from four outings when they had 23 points to spare over Moorefield in Round 4 of the UPMC Intermediate hurling championship on Saturday afternoon. Two goals before the break and a third with 20 minutes to play were always going to be too much for Moorefield to pull back. The Moores didn't give up and two second half goals of their own kept respectability on the full time scoreline.
Reece Gavin gave Moorefield the perfect start with a point inside a minute but it was the only time they would lead. Eoghan Harrington and James Canning responded to move Leixlip in front but Muiris Curtin was on hand to convert Alex Bell's pass to level it again. The Melvilles, Cathal and Darragh, pointed but Bell kept Moorefield in touch.
Darragh Melville, from a free, Cormac Keegan and Sean O’Connor quickly opened a three point lead for the first time. Reece Gavin could only two pointed frees for Moorefield over the closing 18 minutes of the half as Leixlip took total control. Cian Bracken added two points, one from a free before the opening two goals arrived.
A long high ball from Eoghan Harrington landed on top of the Moorefield full back line and Stephen Ryan was on hand to drive home the rebound. Darragh Melville had time for a free before goal number two arrived courtesy of Cillian Harrington who showed great composure before firing to the net. Three Melville points and another two from Cormac Keegan and Sean O’Connor left Leixlip 2-15 to 0-5 at the break.
The Leixlip onslaught continued after the break with Cathal Melville, Cian Bracken, Sean O’Connor and Cian Bracken all adding points before Niall Barry registered a much needed Moorefield score. Barry found Keith O’Callaghan in terrific form as he made an excellent save but Eoghan Corrigan was on hand to push home the rebound.
While Moorefield were given slight hope Leixlip came forward from the restart and county star Darragh Melville raised a green flag with a brilliant low shot from 25 metres out.
Bell and O’Connor both pointed, and Eoghan Harrington and Conn Kehoe traded points as Moorefield tried to finish strongly. Reece Gavin landed a long ball on top of Kehoe and he fielded high before firing past O’Callaghan.
Moorefield had another goal chance but O’Callaghan produced his best save as he denied Muiris Curtin. Leixlip finished the stronger with two Darragh Melville frees and points from Cian Bracken and a sixth from the impressive Sean O’Connor. The full time whistle saw Leixlip 3-28 to 2-8 ahead.
After a heartbreaking final loss last year to Clane, Leixlip have only had eyes on a return to the Senior ranks since the start of the campaign and after this win they are certainly the form team and firm favourites to go all the way.
Moorefield will need a win in the last two runs if they are to secure a semi-final berth.
Keith O’Callaghan; Cillian Nicholson, Ryan Doyle, Dylan Doherty, Cian Bracken 0-5 (1f), Jack McGonigle, James Canning 0-1; Cathal Derivan, Eoghan Harrington 0-3; Sean O Connor 0-6, Cormac Keegan 0-2, Darragh Melville 1-8 (5f), Cillian Harrington 1-0, Stephen Ryan 1-0, Cathal Melville 0-3.
Conall Henson for Melville, 46; Joseph Evans for Doherty, 52; Dara Burke for Harrington, 52; Matthew Canning for Ryan, 49. Cillian Harrington for Keegan, 56.
Eoin Carroll; Colin Gleeson, Sean Maher, Cian Brannigan, Oisin Kelly, Conn Kehoe 1-1, Graham Cregoe; Tommy Walsh, Alex Bell 0-2; Paul Dawson, Reece Gavin 0-3 (2f), Niall Barry 0-1, Mark Tobin, Eoghan Corrigan 1-0, Muiris Curtin 0-1.
Ian McDonnell for Tobin, 24; Malvin Maloney for Cregoe, 34; Conor Price for Gleeson, 42; Cormac O’Connor for McDonnell, 50; Shane Delmer for Brannigan, 57.
Killian Jones.
