Aghamore inspired by Hunt hat-trick
Kealan Glavey of Aghamore NS takes a few Knock NS players for a run during the Division 2 clash in MacHale Park. Pictures: Michael Donnelly
A hat-trick by Ben Hunt helped Aghamore NS to the Division 2 hurling crown over East Mayo rivals Knock NS.
Knock got the opening score of the game from a well-worked free by Killian Connor, who picked out Rian Casby to tap it over. But Aghamore’s star man Ben Hunt came to the fore as he smashed in two goals in the space of a minute. His first came from a great run from the halfway line before sending a piledriver past Ernestas Gudas and his second was almost a replica, with another great run finished off by a thunderbolt into the roof of the net.
In fact, Hunt was unfortunate not to complete a first-half hat-trick inside the opening six minutes. He got the better of two Knock defenders but saw his effort go inches wide of the post.
Aghamore added only one more point in the first-half through Kealan Glavey, taking a 2-1 to 0-1 lead into the break, as a third goal had eluded them again when Jason Groarke almost caught the Knock goalkeeper off his line, but his audacious effort went just wide.
The Red and White started the second-half like a train, and Ben Hunt completed his hat-trick of goals shortly after the restart and followed that up with a point, before Kealan Glavey got in on the goal-scoring act after first scoring his second point.
Knock kept battling and either side of another Glavey single, both Killian Connor and Rian Casby had attempts on goal to get their side back in the game, but the former was well saved by Erikas Dedinas while Casby’s shot was smothered by a trio of Aghamore defenders.
Kealan Glavey found the net with 25 minutes played with a low drive into the bottom corner, which was responded to by a goal from Knock that their efforts deserved, with Killian Connor finding the net after getting on the end of a pass from Ollie Connor.
Aghamore would seal the win in style however, as a long-range free by Kieran Glavey saw them run out impressive victors.
Aghamore NS: Erikas Dedinas, Luke Waldron, Donnacha Lyons, Iarlaith Morris, Aoife Scahill, Daniel Buckley, Adriana Keane, Kealan Glavey (1-4, 0-1f), Jason Groarke, Tom Murphy, Ben Hunt (3-1), Caden Henry, Jonjo Stephens, Orlaith Burke, Shannon Duffy, Jack Byrne, Senan Kelly, Abigail Glavey, Selina Hession, Kai Glavey.
Knock NS: Ernestas Gudas, Aine Cunnane, Ollie Connor, Olivers Lape, Francesa Barbieri, Killian Connor (1-0), Rian Casby (0-1), Trevor Joun, Maja Latbajite, Gerard Lyons, Danny Tunney, Michael Shiffnecht, Eva Curry, Rai Cardoo, Tiago Contin Neves, Martin Pio Mongan, Eli Murphy.
REF: Mel Kenny
