Two in a row for the Double K’s
Kilcormac/Killoughey collected their second Minor A Hurling Title in row when they saw off the challenge of Birr on Sunday afternoon last in Bord na Mona, O’Connor Park.
In a curtain raiser to the senior final between St Rynagh’s and Birr this was a wonderful game of hurling from start to finish, as KK overcame a fancied Birr side to collect their 17th Minor Title.
Birr who certainly took the game to KK early on, had a wonderful start leading 0-3 to no score by the 13th minute.
KK were finding it hard to find their feet but finally with thirteen on the clock after tonnes of persistence, Charlie Mitchell have them off the mark.
The game was starting to open up now and with nineteen on the clock, Mark Bracken took the best from Adam Fitzgerald in the Birr goal, but Alex Kavanagh was making no mistake with the rebound to drive the ball to the back of the Birr net. KK in front 1-1 to 0-3.
It certainly rattled Birr, but their response was nothing short of brilliant and with a brace in quick succession from Lochlann Quinn the lead switched hands, 0-5 to 1-1 with twenty five played.
However, when it looked like Birr would push on from there, but it was KK who had more to come. A routine free from Sean Buckley duly raised the white flag, but there was still more to come and with a rasping shot Mark Bracken rattled the Birr net. KK back in front 2-2 to 0-5.
It was certainly end to end stuff and with another goal on the 40th minute Luke Nolan had Birr ahead again.
Sean Buckley hit his second of the game but it was Charlie Mitchell who stole the show and with three more scores, the last on a spectacular strike from a side line free from the middle of the field.
In the end there was no denying the destination of the Title. KK collecting their second in a row. The final scores reading 2-14 to 2-8.
The Scorers
Kilcormac/Killoughey: Charlie Mitchell 0-11 (0-8 Frees), Alex Kavanagh 1-0, Mark Bracken 1-0, Sean Buckley 0-2 (0-1 Free), Jack Screeney 0-1.
Birr: Lochlann Quinn 0-6 (0-4 Frees), Ronan Bergin 1-0, Luke Nolan 1-0, Niall Lyons 0-2.
The Teams
Kilcormac/Killoughey: James Mahon; Oisin Kilmartin, Dylan Hand, Brecon Kavanagh; Charlie Bracken, Jack Screeney (Joint Capt.), Sean Kilmartin; Dan Murray (Joint Capt.), Colin Spain; Daniel Coughlan, Eoin Leonard, Sean Buckley; Alex Kavanagh, Charlie Mitchell, Mark Bracken.
Subs: Leigh Kavanagh for Daniel Coughlan (Half Time), Arron Dalzell for Eoin Leonard (45 mins), Tadgh O’Donoghue for Alex Kavanagh (62 mins).
Birr: Adam Fitzgerald; Joe Boyd, Rhodán Dempsey, Ben Pardy; Christopher Kelly, Shane Rasheed, Kevin Tierney; Max Boyd, Luke Nolan (Capt.); Lochlann Quinn, Niall Lyons, Dean Rasheed; Bill Burns, Ronan Bergin, Cian Nolan.
Subs: Darragh McNamara for Shane Rasheed (27 mins), James Nolan for Dean Rasheed (Half Time), Ailbe Watkins for Bill Burns (50 mins).
Referee: Kieran Pat Kelly (St Rynagh’s).
