Brian Flannery reports from Walsh Park
Mount Sion caused the first major surprise of this year’s senior hurling title race when they dumped their city rivals De La Salle out of the championship.
Tensions were high before the throw-in but it was Mount Sion who made the early running. The outstanding Alan Kirwan set Donal Power up for a goal after only a minute to signal the intent of the Monastery men.
However it was De La Salle who went on to dominate the majority of the opening half with the accuracy of Reuben Halloran from placed balls helping the James Quirke and Brian Phelan managed side to lead by the minimum, 0-9 to 1-5 at the break.
Mount Sion superbly led by their county-man Austin Gleeson were much better on resumption; with Owen Whelan a colossus at centre-field and Martin O’Neill converting every available opportunity. Mount Sion deservedly led by a goal (1-14 to 0-14) after 50 minutes. De La Salle had already been reduced to 14 men at this stage with the dismissal of Adam Farrell on 42 minutes.
Mount Sion dominated the closing stages, hitting 1-5 without reply to guarantee John Meaney’s side a place in the quarter-finals with a game still to play.
Their second goal came after 51 minutes when the industrious John Kennedy provided the assist for Stephen Roche to shoot low to the net past county goalkeeper Shaun O’Brien.
Mount Sion will now face Dungarvan next weekend to decide the Group winners while De La Salle will face a relegation battle.
Final Score Mt. Sion 2-19, De La Salle 0-14
Mount Sion: Martin O’Neill (0-8, 0-5f, 0-2’65), Donal Power and Stephen Roche (1-1 each), Austin Gleeson (0-3, 0-2 sideline), Jamie Gleeson (0-2), Alan Kirwan, Peter Penkert, Owen Whelan and John Kennedy (0-1 each).
De La Salle: Reuben Halloran (0-5f), Eddie Barrett (0-3), Shane Ryan, Thomas Douglas, Jake Dillon, Sean Carton, Cormac McCann and Eddie Meaney (0-1 each).
Referee: Anthony Fitzgerald (Passage)
