Robert Emmets produced a fine display of hurling to defeat Dr. O’Callaghans by 3-14 to 1-11 in the Duhallow under 21 hurling championship, at Kilbrin on Tuesday evening to advance into the semi finals.

Dr O’Callaghans began brightly and two points gave them an early lead within three minutes. Robert Emmets settled on Cathal Noonan pointing from distance in the fifth minute. Donal Hannon was in superb form and he opened his account with a well struck point to equalize in the seventh minute. Robert Emmets took the lead on Donal Hannon pointing a free before he registered his third successive point with another fine score from play.

The full forward line looked threatening and this was confirmed on Michael McSweeney showing a fine burst of speed before finishing in style with a well executed shot to the roof of the net, in the tenth minute.

Dr O’Callaghans recovered from conceding a goal and four points in succession with two points, to leave Robert Emmets with a lead of 1-4 to 0-4 after seventeen minutes.

The prolific Donal Hannon stretched the lead to six points on adding three points in a row. The sides then exchanged points as Cathal Noonan added a well taken score.

With half time rapidly approaching, Dr. O’Callaghans cut the deficit as a point was quickly followed by a close in free which found its way to the net past several defenders.

Amazingly, Robert Emmets hit back instantly with a similar plunder of scores. Donal Hannon drilled home a close in free before he concluded the half with his seventh point, ensuring Robert Emmets ended an entertaining and successful half’s play with a lead of 2-9 to 1-6.

Dr. O’Callaghans resumed in determined manner and scored the first two points within seven minutes. Robert Emmets were having a difficult period and this was compounded as the excellent Jamie Hayes was forced to leave the field, after suffering injury which tainted the overall result.

Robert Emmets were buoyed by a rousing score from Jonathan Flaherty, as he burst forward past a few challengers before firing over a memorable point from out on the wing.

Dr. O’Callaghans further reduced the deficit as two points left a goal between the sides, 2-10 to 1-10 entering the final quarter. Robert Emmets found the necessary resolve to push on, led from the defence by the exploits of Paudie Allen, Michael O’Leary and Colm Noonan. Barry O’Connor converted for a much needed point as the scores began to flow once more. Donal Hannon added another point and as the game went into the final ten minutes, the Robert Emmets marksman struck for a telling score. A dangerously flighted free found its way to the net to establish a sizeable eight point lead.

Michael McSweeney pointed from close range as a confident Robert Emmets strengthened their position. Dr O’Callaghans hit a point but substitute Conor O’Keeffe added his mark on the game with the final score of the contest as Robert Emmets closed out a fine victory.

The Robert Emmets team and scorers…

Donal Hannon (2-8), Michael McSweeney (1-1), Cathal Noonan (0-2), Barry O’Connor (0-1), Jonathan Flaherty (0-1), Conor O’Keeffe (0-1)

Shane McAuliffe
Michael O’Leary		Jamie Hayes		Eoin O'Connell
Colm Noonan		Paudie Allen		Gavin Forde
	Cathal Noonan		Alan Ryan
Barry O'Connor		Jacko Flaherty		David Quinlan
Michael Cottrell		Donal Hannon		Michael McSweeney
Subs: Daniel Richard Guinee, Conor O’Keeffe, Jack Birtley, Nicky Barrett, Billy Lane