Kiely and Mitchell turn on style as Kilcormac-Killoughey power into revenge showing with Shinrone

A COLLECTIVE lifting of the tempo in the second half mixed in with sensational individual performances from Cillian Kiely and Charlie Mitchell saw Kilcormac-Killoughey power into a revenge mission against Shinrone in the Senior Hurling Championship final on Sunday afternoon.

Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship semi-final

Kilcormac-Killoughey 0-22

St Rynagh's 1-14

In a difficult position at half time but with their fate very much in their own hand, Kilcormac-Killoughey were excellent in the second half as they wore the resistance out of St Rynagh's for a deserved win.

A much improved work ethic and intensity levels laid the ground work for K-K's win but they would not have won without the brilliance of Cillian Kiely and Charlie Mitchell in the second half as they scored nine points between them, five from Mitchell and four from Kiely – Kiely got one free in the first half in his five point haul and his three second half points from play were all breathtaking, inspirational ones that really knocked the stuffing out of St Rynagh's.

You had to admire Mitchell for his resilience. He had been a peripheral figure in the first half, struggling to get on the ball and not able to get free when he did. He couldn't have complained if he had been called ashore but his second half tour-de-force showed the wisdom of persisting with your truly talented players, giving them time to get into it. He suddenly ignited in the second half, firing over those five super points as well as being fouled for a penalty that Conor Clancy brilliantly saved from Cathal Kiely.

Cillian Kiely also rose to the challenge magnificently after a first half in which he made some crucial clearances but also saw St Rynagh's make some progress through the centre. Three points from play was a serious contribution from a centre half back as Kiely also knuckled down with his primary defensive duties.

St Rynagh's had played very well in the first half, upsetting K-K a bit with their physicality and they fully deserved their 1-8 to 0-7 half time lead. It should have been more as they missed a few handy chances with the wind on their backs and, with hindsight, they really needed a bigger lead at half time. When K-K eventually got their intensity levels up to where they needed them in the second half, St Rynagh's found that they had nothing in the tank, eventually running into empty. They were over powered and outplayed, though Sean Dolan did offer stellar resistance as he won a lot of dirty ball and worked his socks off.

In the second half, St Rynagh's were outscored by 0-15 to 0-6 and that accurately reflected the way play went. Aidan Treacy had been the outstanding player on the field in the first half, instrumental in St Rynagh's dominance as he ran the game from midfield. In the second half, his influence dwindled to the extent that he was substituted in the 52nd minute, though he surely should have been given a few minutes at full forward as the losers tried to manufacture the goal they had to get to survive.

It wasn't to be though and this defeat raises questions about the future prospects of St Rynagh's. They won three in a row from 2019 to 2021 and were an irrestible force of nature. As happens all great teams, the long time on the road caught up with them last year but the questions now are more profound ones. It is their second year in a row not to make the final and they have a few players heading into the veteran stage of their career, if not beyond! Shane Rigney is the outstanding young player to emerge but they need more and St Rynagh's don't have a booming supply line at the moment.

As we expected, this was a fiercely fought, competitive game. The first half was a bit of an anti-climax. It never fully ignited and neither side hit top gear but St Rynagh's were the better team. They had the wind on their back and it may have been a bigger factor than it seemed from the stand – certainly K-K's dominance with it in the second half was considerable.

St Rynagh's made a dream start with a Luke O'Connor point followed by a clinically taken Joey O'Connor goal in the second minute. They continued to drive at K-k but didn't build on their lead as they had a couple of poor wides and dropped shots short.

K-K got the next three points and frees from Adam Screeney were mainly responsible for keeping them ticking along. St Rynagh's did get back on top and led by 1-5 to 0-4 after 21 minutes. It was 1-6 to 0-7 after 26 minutes and two Eoin Woods points, one from a free, gave them that four point half time lead.

Almost immediately from the restart, it became clear that K-K had found their mojo and that St Rynagh's would struggle to survive. The winners had the gap back to a point, 1-9 to 0-11 after 35 minutes and levelled it up in the 37th minute when Adam Screeney pointed a '65' after Clancy had brilliantly saved Cathal Kiely's penalty – awarded for a foul on Charlie Mitchell by Matthew Maloney.

Eoin Woods' free put St Rynagh's back in front but they were now sucking air. Points from Mitchell and a super one from corner back Brecon Kavanagh gave K-K the lead for the first time after 41 minutes. With Sean Dolan winning some inspiring ball, St Rynagh's fought with everything they had. Two Woods' frees put them back in front with 47 minutes gone but St Rynagh's ran completely out of steam in the closing quarter as an impressively fit K-K went for the jugular.

K-K also introduced Peter Geraghty and Leigh Kavanagh who had played in their senior “B” final win over Clodiagh Gaels on Saturday. Geraghty in particular had a few wides that he will be disappointed in and could have been costly but he won a lot of good ball and he really increases their attacking options.

As the half wore on, K-K stood up all over the field. Screeney tapped over a free and Cillian Kiely got two huge points from distance, the second one from play, to put them two up with seven minutes left. Woods got another free but K/K scented blood. They almost got a goal as Conor Clancy made a great save from an intuitive Thomas Geraghty flick but the ball went out to Charlie Mitchell who pointed.

Kiely and Mitchell floated over real heartbreakers to put them four up a minute from time. Stephen Quirke's point gave St Rynagh's the bare minimim of hope but K-K could not be denied and two clinical Mitchell points in injury time eased them home.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac-Killoughey): A toss of the coin between Cillian Kiely and Charlie Mitchell. Both made huge contributions in the second half but Kiely gets it as he was a bit more prominent in the first half and his second half points from distance inspired everyone else. Honourable mention also to Conor Slevin, whose accurate puckouts, were a fine asset to K-K and full back, Oisin Mahon who put in a great shift and won and cleared crucial ball. Aidan Treacy was immense for St Rynagh's in the first half, Sean Dolan spared nothing and Conor Clancy's saves kept them alive into the closing minutes.

THE SCORERS

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Adam Screeney 0-8 (6f and 1 '65'), Cillian Kiely (2f) and Charlie Mitchell 0-5 each, Brecon Kavanagh, Cathal Kiely, Conor Mahon and James Gorman 0-1 each.

St Rynagh's: Eoin Woods 0-7 (6f), Joey O'Connor 1-0, Aidan Treacy 0-3 (2f), Luke O'Connor 0-2, Matthew Maloney and Stephen Quirke 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY: Conor Slevin; Brecon Kavanagh, Oisin Mahon, Tom Spain; Jordan Quinn, Cillian Kiely, Enda Grogan; Cathal Kiely, Damien Kilmartin; Jack Screeney, Conor Mahon, Charlie Mitchell; Colin Spain, James Gorman, Adam Screeney. Subs – Peter Geraghty for Kilmartin (40m), Leigh Kavanagh for Cathal Kiely (49m), Thomas Geraghty for Gorman (49m), Lochlann Kavanagh for Colin Spain (62m).

ST RYNAGH'S: Conor Clancy; Conor Hernon, Pat Camon, Simon Og Lyons; Mattjhew Maloney, Ben Conneely Conor Hernon; Shane Rigney, Aidan Treacy; Sean Dolan, Joey O'Connor, Gary Conneely; Luke O'Connor, Aaron Kenny, Eoin Woods. Subs - Subs – Stephen Quirke for Gary Conneely (41m), Jerome Flannery for Treacy (52m), Brian Rigney for Kenny (57m).

Referee – Brian Gavin (Clara).

REFEREE WATCH

Brian Gavin had a very good game. As usual, he allowed play to run but he was always in control and got the vast majority of decisions right. K-K's penalty did look a bit harsh but Matthew Maloney could have pulled Charlie Mitchell's jersey before he went down under pressure and you would have to see footage to judge that one. Maloney got a yellow card that time and may have been fortunate not to get a second one in the 48th minute. It looked to have been him who fouled Charlie Mitchell for a free that Adam Screeney pointed and Gavin booked Pat Camon – both players wore yellow helmets and we don't know if it was a case of mistaken identity or Camon was booked for something else. He consulted well with his officials and correctly booked Cathal Kiely for a high elbow in the 47th minute after linesman Joey Deehan informed him – Kiely was replaced a couple of minutes later with K-K manager Shane Hand no doubt conscious of the possibility of him getting a second yellow.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Cillian Kiely's magnificent 53rd minute point from under the stand and well in his own half was one moment that remains in the memory. It gave K-K a two point lead and while Rynagh's did get the deficit back to a point one more time, they were really chasing the game from here on.

VENUE WATCH

Its amazing the difference a day makes. After a lot of rain on Saturday, Sunday was a lovely mild, dry day and the O'Connor Park pitch yielded the dividends. It had got a bit cut up after Saturday's double bill but was still playable for this. As it was, the improved weather did it a lot of favours and it was in fine order. The game was well hosted with a decent sized crowd present.

WHAT'S NEXT

Kilcormac-Killoughey play Shinrone in the final.

STATISTICS

Wides: Kilcormac-Killoughey – 13 (5 in first half); St Rynagh's - 11 (9 in first half).

Yellow cards: Kilcormac-Killoughey – 1 (Cathal Kiely); St Rynagh's – 2 (Pat Camon and Matthew Maloney).

Red cards: 0.