By: Kevin Corrigan
Molloy Environmental Systems U20 Hurling Championship semi-final
Kilcormac-Killoughey 3-21
Drumcullen/Seir Kieran (DSK) 1-13
The champions may not have the plethora of star names that some of their earlier winners have but clearly have a formidable side and the production line remains healthy in the parish.
On a wet, difficult evening for hurling, DSK gave it their best shot and asked real questions of K-K in the first half in particular. However, they never looked like pulling off a big win in the second half. Even when Kieran Coughlan got in for a 44th minute goal to leave just five points in it, 2-15 to 1-13, there was no real sense that a come from behind win was on.
Five points was retrievable but DSK had to get a quick partner for that goal. Unfortunately they had run their race and they never scored again as K-K put on the after burners, firing home 1-6 without reply in the closing quarter. Mark Mulrooney netted the goal in the 50th minute to make it 3-18 to 1-13 and DSK’s heads did drop in the closing minutes as both sides ran in subs for the sake of doing so.
It wasn’t a bad performance by DSK and they can be particularly proud of some of the hurling they played in the first half but K-K were always likely to have enough to qualify for the final against St Rynagh’s or a highly rated Shinrone/Ballyskenach-Killavilla team.
Some of K-K’s previous winners in recent years included star names such as Charlie Mitchell, Adam Screeney, James Mahon, Brecon Kavanagh, Colin Spain, et-al and this team included one who certainly looks to be of that calibre and a couple of others with considerable potential.
Odhran Fletcher scored a whopping 1-16 and he dominated the game while K-K played some very steady, consistent hurling as a unit.
DSK were very competitive for much of the first half. 0-5 to 0-2 behind after ten minutes, Rory McIntyre, Sean Carey (free) and Dylan Hollywood levelled it up just two minutes later.
K-K got a great run of 2-2 without reply between the 13th and 17th minutes to take control. The first goal from an Odhran Fletcher free was a disaster for DSK as they didn’t seem alert to the threat while Aaron Screeney got the second after great Fletcher work.
DSK showed great character to get back into contention. They could have been beaten early but fought tenaciously and four points in a row brought them right back into it, 2-7 to 0-9 after 22 minutes.
K-K led by 2-11 to 0-12 at half time and quickly pushed that out to seven on the restart. They were 2-14 to 0-13 ahead when DSK sub Kevin Carey missed a half goal chaance. DSK had to get that while K-K could afford a missed chance at the other end when Killian Spain made a great save from Jack Dunican who was wide from the follow up.
Coughlan’s goal should have given DSK a chance with sixteen minutes left but it was all K-K from here to the final whistle and they had their final berth booked early.
THE SCORERS
Kilcormac-Killoughey: Odhran Fletcher 1-16 (1-11, f), Mark Mulrooney and Adam Screeney 1-1 each, Jack Dunican 0-2, Richard Bracken 0-1.
Drumcullen/Seir Kieran: Sean Carey 0-5 (4f and 1 sideline), Kieran Coughlan 1-1, Patrick Lyons 0-4, Rory McIntyre, Dylan Hollywood and Mairtin Ryan 0-1 each.
THE TEAMS
KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY: James McLoughlin; Sean Cleary, Harry Sweeney, Jack O’Donoghue; Oisin Carroll, Richard Bracken, Luke Bracken; Brian Guinan, Joe Quinn; Jack Dunican, Jack Buckley, Fiachra Carroll; Odhran Fletcher, Aaron Screeney, Mark Mulrooney. Subs – Michael Kelly for Buckley (52m), James Lynch for Fiachra Carroll (53m), Niall Fitzgerald for Luke Bracken (55m), Eamon Molloy for Screeney (59m).
DRUMCULLEN/SEIR KIERAN: Killian Spain; John Troy, Jack Ryan, Hugh Claffey; Rory McIntyre, James Dooley, John Foley; Jack Collins, Sean Carey; Mairtin Ryan, Kieran Coughlan, Patrick Lyons; Dylan Hollywood, James Hennessy, Ryan Hollywood. Subs – Peadar Ryan for Hennessy, inj. (29m), Kevin Carey for Ryan Hollywood (35m), Kyle Dooner for Troy (45m), Eanna O’Neill for McIntyre (54m), Gearoid Dooley for Jack Ryan (54m).
Referee – Matthew Farrell, Tullamore.
By Offaly Secretary Tue 25th Aug
