Hartnett and Beausang lead goal-hungry Russell Rovers into Munster decider
FREE-SCORING: Russell Rovers' Brian Harnett takes on Moyle Rovers' Luke Boland during the AIB Munster junior club HC semi final at Midleton. Pic: Eddie O'Hare
Goals win matches, and that certainly rang true for Russell Rovers in Saturday’s Munster Club JHC semi-final in Clonmult Memorial Park, Midleton.
While Brian Hartnett (2-3) and Josh Beausang (1-5) were to the fore ensuring their safe passage to the provincial final against Kilrossanty of Waterford, who overcame The Banner of Clare by 3-15 to 0-20, there was so much more to Russell Rovers’ fine performance.
Just five of the Moyle Rovers tally came from play - despite the marvellous dead ball accuracy of captain Dara Ryan - and having won the toss and played against the wind in the opening half the winners retired to dressing-room 1-7 to 0-6 in front.
Closing the half with a four-point advantage was as much to do with their hard-working back six as it was their industrious attacking unit.
The teams were level on four occasions before Moyle Rovers, who had defeated Kilgarvan in the quarter-final, edged in front through Luke Delahunty at the start of the second quarter.
Their good fortune didn’t last long. Brian Hartnett picked out Beausang in space and the sharp-shooter netted his team’s opening goal in the 20th minute.
It was a tonic score and the first bit of daylight for the Cork champions who are managed by Dave Dorgan and coached by Donal Óg Cusack.
Stoppage time points by Kevin Moynihan and Hartnett left John McGrath’s charges on the back foot with the elements to face.
When Daniel Moynihan’s point went in off the left post soon after the restart, it looked like Russell Rovers might push on but Moyle Rovers - the only Tipperary club to win this championship (2007) - replied with a Ryan free and Killian Butler from play.
Trying hard to stay in the game, they were eventually undone by deadly duo Hartnett and Beausang, this time it was roles reversed when Beausang fed Hartnett and he made no mistake, 2-9 to 0-8 in the 39th minute.
Ryan made sure the Monroe club remained in touch, but the east Cork outfit kept them at arm's length.
They maintained their six-point advantage until Hartnett notched his second goal two minutes from time after captain Ciarán Sheehan did the spadework to seal the win and with three clear goals to spare.
So, Russell Rovers are back in the final. Cork has provided the winners for the last five Munster championship deciders including Russell Rovers in 2019 (no final during Covid) with many of that team still leading the way.
B Hartnett (2-3), J Beausang (1-5), K Moynihan (0-2), D Moynihan, R Cummins and L Duggan Murray (0-1 each).
D Ryan (0-9, 0-8 frees), L Delahunty (0-2), K Butler and A Phelan (0-1 each).
R Walsh; K O’Brien, E O’Sullivan, K Tattan; F Murray, J Kennefick, R Cummins; D Moynihan, K Walsh; L Duggan Murray, K Moynihan, M O’Dwyer; J Beausang, C Sheehan (Capt), B Hartnett.
J McGrath for M O’Dwyer, P Lane for F Murray (both 37), K Ivers for K Moynihan (53), D Ruddy for L Duggan Murray (56), S O’Neill for B Hartnett (60).
B Gleeson; C McKeown, L Boland, B McKeown; R Collins, B Owens, C McGrath; R Quigley, K Grace; K Butler, D Ryan (Capt), S Ryan; D English, A Phelan, L Delahunty.
D Luttrell for S Ryan (39), S Keating for K Grace (44), N Croke for C McGrath (56), D Lyne for D English (61).
Seaghan Walsh (Waterford).
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