Kilcormac-Killoughey lay down marker of intent with ruthless demolition of Tullamore

Kilcornac-Killoughey were sufficiently sharp and impressive to justify their favourite's tag as they had an anticipated easy win win over Tullamore in the first round of the Senior Hurling Championship at Banagher on Friday evening.

Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 1

Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-36

Tullamore 0-13

The 1-36 to 0-13 scoreline in no way flattered them as Tullamore's whole hearted early commitment gave way once the gap in quality between the teams became all too obvious in the second quarter and was built on in the second half: 1-16 to 0-8 ahead at half time, K-K were ruthlessly impressive in the second half and showed that they will be very difficult to unseat as champions.

Not everything K-K touched turned to gold but they were still sublime at times, playing some quality hurling, displaying great team work and taking some stunning scores to get off to the start they needed.

Tullamore did as well as they could for a while and asked serious questions in the opening quarter. They played with great tenacity, were tough and relished trying to ruffle the champions' feathers. They succeeded to an extent with Jack Daly tight and taking on the challenge of marking Adam Screeney early on while Kevin Waters also did great work in defence and midfielder James Houlihan got a couple of great long range points.

As you would expect Tullamore hit the ground running and were full value for a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after five minutes. However, it was way too early for any alarm bells to go off for Kilcormac-Killoughey and it soon became evident that they had extra gears they could slip into whenever they wanted to.

They began to pass the ball intelligently and quality point followed quality point. They got a run of four in a row in two breathtaking minutes to lead by 0-6 to 0-5 after seven minutes. Shane Dooley halted the slide with a free but K-K simply stepped on the gas again,

They got four more in a row to lead by 0-10 to 0-6 after 14 minutes and the outcome had an air of inevitability. Tullamore were sucking for air and the difference was shown between the 20^th and 21^st minute. After another Dooley point from a free, he was off target with a scoreable one and James Houlihan also missed a chance. K-K swept into attack and Charlie Mitchell floated over a delicious point.

Instead of the gap being one point, it was four and K-K pulled well clear before the interval. They were 0-15 to 0-8 ahead when Adam Screeney scored a stunning 27^th minute goal, turning down a tap over point, balancing the ball on his hurl and stroking the ball to the net as he sped away from Jack Daly.

Jack Screeney added a point for a 1-16 to 0-8 half time lead and K-K's quality was shown by the fact that their two midfielders and five of their six forwards had scored from play – Leigh Kavanagh was the only one not to score, missing one easy chance near the break but his work rate and ability to spread the ball around effectively compensated for that.

It meant that the second half was a formality and the only issue at stake was K-K's winning margin. Inevitability, Tullamore's heads dropped as it wore on, though players such as Ger Treacy and Cillian Martin battled with every fibre of their being.

By 39 minutes, the lead was 1-20 to 0-10 and the only question was would K-K reach 30 points. They did that comfortably, hitting that target with two more gorgeous points from Charlie Mitchell in the 53^rd minute.

They reached 36 points by the end and probably could have made 40 if they really wanted to. They also resisted the urge to try and run in goals, content to take their points, though Jack Screeney and the very impressive Daniel Hand missed easy opportunities in the closing ten minutes.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ter Guinan (Kilcormac-Killoughey): You could pick anyone of a half dozen Kilcormac-Killoughey players. The scoretaking by some of their forwards was top class. Conor Mahon got seven from play, Charlie Mitchell six and Daniel Hand five. All three were superb while Adam Screeney oozed class once he found his feet with 1-2 of his 1-9 coming from play.

Yet it was all too easy for K-K's forwards once they got on top in midfield and defence. Forwards had too much time and space and they won't get it as simple as the campaign wears on.

The quality we knew was in K-K was accompanied by a terrific work ethic and a willingness to put in the hard yards. Damien Kilmartin was hugely influential in the first half, putting in some serious dog work when Tullamore were somewhat competitive. He died out of it a bit in the second half and this was not a surprise at this stage of his long career – K-K didn't introduce any subs as they didn't want to take any players from their senior B team and are managing a couple of injuries. Kilmartin was the best player in the first half and still showed his importance to the team in the second half as he dictated affairs in a general type role, almost guiding players where to go.

Colin Spain put in a great shift beside him while Leigh Kavanagh was an example of this work rate in attack. The choice is a bit from the left field but Ter Guinan gets the nod. He made up an outstanding half back line along with Jordan Quinn and Cillian Kiely, never put a foot wrong and nearly always hit the spot with his deliveries. He got in simple flicks and this type of thing is as important to K-K as the flair of the Charlie Mitchell's and Adam Screeney's.

THE SCORERS

Kilcormacv-Killoughey: Adam Screeney 1-9 (7f), Conor Mahon 0-7, Charlie Mitchell 0-6, Daniel Hand 0-5, Cillian Kiely, Damien Kilmartin, Colin Spain, Jack Screeney 0-2 each, Ter Guinan 0-1.

Tullamore: Shane Dooley 0-5 (5f), James Houlihan and Cillian Martin 0-2 each, Niall Furlong, Ger Treacy, Cillian Bourke and Tom Furlong 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY: Conor Slevin; Tom Spain, Oisin Mahon, James Mahon; Jordan Quinn, Cillian Kiely, Ter Guinan; Damien Kilmartin, Colin Spain; Jack Screeney, Conor Mahon, Leigh Kavanagh; Daniel Hand, Charlie Mitchell, Adam Screeney.

TULLAMORE: Paul Kelly; Jack Daly, Dylan Hensey, Kevin Waters; Aaron Leavy, Niall Houlihan, Mike Feeney; James Houlihan, Jay Sheerin; Niall Furlong, Cormac Egan, Ger Treacy; Cillian Martin, Shane Dooley, Cillian Bourke. Subs – Brian Hogan for Sheerin (52m), Tom Furlong for Egan (53m),

Referee – David McLoughlin (Shinrone).

REFEREE WATCH

David McLoughlin did well. He showed four yellow cards and while none of them had real ill intent, the hits were a bit heavy in a couple of them and they were all justified. He was a bit slow to sort things out when Cillian Kiely and Cormac Egan squared up to each other midway during the second half but it was harmless enough stuff and overall, he had no impact on the game.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Adam Screeney's first half goal was worth the journey on its own and a 1-15 to 0-8 lead meant that the game was over.

VENUE WATCH

The Banagher pitch looked very good and once again, St Rynagh's were excellent hosts.

WHAT'S NEXT

Kilcormac-Killoughey face a very interesting tussle with St Rynagh's on Friday, August 2 while Tullamore have a bye in round 2.

STATISTICS

Wides: Kilcormac-Killoughey - 9 (5 in first half); Tullamore – 11 (7 in first half).
Yellow cards: Tullamore – 3 (Ger Treacy, Shane Dooley, Aaron Leavy); Kilcormac-Killoughey – 1 (Damien Kilmartin).

Red cards: 0.