Hurley leads way as Newcastlewest too good for Bruff in Limerick premier intermediate hurling championship

EOIN HURLEY starred with a terrific personal haul of 1-7 as Newcastlewest maintained their 100% start to the Lyons of Limerick County Premier Hurling Championship with a comfortable 1-17 to 0-11 win over 14-man Bruff in a sun-drenched Ballyingarry on Saturday evening.

Bruff, who played nearly an hour with 14 men, struggled from the get-go and trailed by nine points - 1-9 to 0-3 - at the half-time break after scoring just one point from play in the opening half hour.

The goal came in the 16th minute when Eoin Hurley took full advantage of a mix up in the Bruff defence to blast into the far corner of the net, giving Eric Finn no chance in goal.

It was the West Limerick men's game to lose in the remaining three quarters.

Mossie Boddy's charges reduced the deficit to six midway through the second half, but late points from Michael Cremin, Diarmuid Lyons, Evan McMahon, Diarmaid Kelly and none other than the impressive Eoin Hurley restored Newcastle West's nine-point lead at the final whistle.

It was Newcastle West who started the game the brightest, taking a four point lead 0-4 to 0-0 - inside six minutes. Down to 14 men, Bruff's chances of securing a result were made even more difficult than they already were at that early stage.

In truth, it was Newcastle West who looked like they wanted it more from here on in and will certainly be putting their name in the hat for the push for promotion to next year's Senior Hurling Championship after Saturday evening's performance, albeit up against a lacklustre Bruff showing.

Despite an early half resurgence from Bruff, during which Danny O'Leary found his free-scoring form yet again adding to efforts from Patrick Finn and Conor Browne to narrow the deficit to six, it was the Magpies who looked in control throughout.

Scorers: Newcastle West: Eoin Hurley 1-7 (four frees); Con Hayes, Diarmuid Lyons, Michael Cremin 0-2 each; Ethan Hurley (one free), Brian Hurley, Evan McMahon, Diarmaid Kelly 0-1 each. Bruff: Danny O'Leary 0-4 (three frees, one '65); Chris Browne 0-3 (one free); Darragh Butler, Michael O' Riordan, Patrick Finn, Paul O'Riordan 0-1 each

TEAMS:

Bruff: Eric Finn; Patrick Finn, Colin Madden, Owen Meaney; Gavin Bracken, Seán Finn, Sean Casey; Paul Browne, Kevin Bonnar; Darragh Butler, Chris Browne, Paul O'Riordan; Michael O'Riordan, Danny O'Leary, Tadgh Boddy.

Newcastle West: Mike Quilligan; Maurice Murphy, Seamus Hurley, Colm Foley; Michael Cremin, Ethan Hurley, Diarmuid Lyons; Ruadhan O'Connor, Brian Hurley (capt.); Bryan Nix, Con Hayes, Diarmaid Kelly; Cathal Hayes, Eoin Hurley, Brian Foley.

Referee: Jonathan Hayes (St Senan's)