Ground hurling: Stradbally's George Walsh and Stephen Cunningham combine against Fourmilewater's Paul Horkan during their County SHC clash at Fraher Field. | Photos: Michael Kiely
Fourmilewater 1-11; Stradbally 0-11
Inter-county star Shane Walsh proved the difference in this game between two sides best known to each other as footballers over the past decade or so.
The Fourmilewater man, one of a number of players on show who have played hurling and football for the county, was in the right place just before the break to receive a brilliant pass from the very impressive Jamie Barron on the edge of the square, from where he gave Trevor Curran no chance with a well executed shot which helped his side to a 1-6 to 0-8 lead at the break.
Much of the game proved to be a shoot-out between the respective free takers, Richie Fenton on the Fourmilewater side and Shane Ahearne, with a most unorthodox style, in the red and white of Stradbally.
A key battle in the first half was the clash of Liam Lawlor at centre back for Fourmilewater and Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh at centre forward for Stradbally. While the former inter-county captain registered two points, both from long range frees, it would be fair to say that it was Lawlor that won the battle although in the second half the Stradbally man was deployed mostly in a position between centre-back and centrefield.
Not having to keep such a close eye on his direct opponent as he did in the first half, Lawlor in the second period continued to play well, catching some great ball in and around the Fourmilewater back line and clearing it up field as quickly as it came into him.
See The Munster Express newspaper for full match report.
