Kinnitty cause big upset by defeating league champions Belmont in first round of Championship

KINNITTY caused the first major upset of the Offaly Senior Hurling Championship when they defeated recently crowned Division 1 Hurling League champions Belmont by a three point margin in their opening round encounter at Rath on Saturday.

Molloy Precast & Environmental Systems Offaly Senior Hurling Championship Group 1 Round 1

KINNITTY 1-12 BELMONT 0-12

Belmont are among the favourites for the title after their impressive league title success but they can have no complaints about this result as a dogged Kinnitty side contained their danger men and picked off enough scores themselves to eke out a very important win.

There was never much between the sides and three points was the biggest gap between them at any stage. Kinnitty led by two at half time and Belmont never managed to get level in the second half. They did get within one late in the game and looked like they might salvage something from the contest but Kinnitty were determined not to be caught and scored the final two points of the game to seal the win.

Kinnitty got the first two points of the game but when Belmont scored the next four points without reply in a ten minute spell it looked like the game was about to go along expected lines. But Kinnitty hadn't read that script and when Cathal Robinson scored the game's only goal after 18 minutes, Kinnitty were back in front. Belmont did level five minutes before the break but Kinnitty went on to lead 1-6 to 0-7 at half time.

It was point for point for much of the second half as Belmont couldn't close the gap until they got within one two minutes from the end but Kinnitty held on and scored the final two points to claim a famous win.

With other group favourites Ballinamere drawing with Birr on Thursday night, this group has been thrown wide open after just one round of matches and there will be some high stakes contests over the coming weeks before we see which three teams will emerge to contest the knock out stages.

Kinnitty deserve great praise for this victory. They didn't accept that they were the whipping boys in this group and took the game to Belmont as much as they could. They played to their strengths and managed to mullify the threat from Belmont.

The game may have lacked some quality at times but that won't matter to Kinnitty. Both sides were guilty of wasting good opportunities and there was a spell in the final quarter when ten wides were registered and just one point scored. Both sides missed very scoreable frees in that period and chances to take a real grip on the game by both were spurned.

Belmont will really look back at this game with regret. They registered 16 wides over the hour and when you have more wides than scores you know you are in trouble. They just never got into their stride and they will now have to go back and reflect and try and get their season back on track again.

Kinnitty can thank their defence for a huge effort. Paddy Rigney had a huge game at full back and held Oisin Kelly scoreless from play and he got great support from Paddy Dooley, Paddy Delaney and Brian Coughlan. Danny Flanagan worked hard around the middle of the field while in attack Peadar Robinson, Conor Hardiman and Odhran Kealey all did well.

For Belmont Patrick Taaffe, Ciaran Cahill and Mark Egan all played well in defence, Jack Clancy made an impact at midfield and in attack Adam Egan, Colin Egan and James Nally tried hard.

Kinnitty were ahead after 40 seconds when James Hardiman pointed a free from midfield and Odhran Kealey doubled the lead from a third minute free. Adam Egan then opened Belmont's account from a free and he got the game's first score from play in the sixth minute to level matters. He then put Belmont ahead from a '65' before James Nally added another after 13 minutes to leave Belmont 0-4 to 0-2 in front.

Odhran Kealey reduced the gap to the minimum from a free before Kinnitty struck for the only goal of the game after 18 minutes. Odhran Kealey's shot was blocked done but Conor Hardiman gathered the loose ball and transferred to Cathal Robinson who shot to the net. Conor Hardiman quickly added a point and they were a goal ahead.

Belmont had to respond and Conor Egan and Jack Clancy brought the gap to the minimum before Kinnitty almost struck for a second goal. Mark Egan's pass back to his goalkeeper Damien Egan was a fraction short and Conor Hardiman managed to flick the ball away but the angle was tight and his effort ended up in the sidenetting. Adam Egan levelled after 25 minutes from a free but Odhran Kealey (free) and Conor Hardiman hit points to send Kinnitty in leading 1-6 to 0-7 at half time.

A minute after the restart Odhran Kealey stretched the lead to three again from a free. Adam Egan replied with a '65' but eight more scoreless minutes followed during which Oisin Kelly had a goal chance but under heavy pressure his shot was saved by Niall Corrigan. Odhran Kealey and Adam Egan (free) exchanged points before Peadar Robinson added another point to leave a goal in it midway through the half.

Over the next 10 minutes both sides missed a lot of chances. Belmont hit four wides and had one point from Colin Egan while Kinnitty hit six wides in a row. Shane Kinsella ended that run with a terrific point with four minutes left but Belmont responded quickly with points from an Oisin Kelly lineball and another from Jack Clancy and the gap was one with two minutes to go. Kinnitty didn't panic and Peadar Robinson won the puckout and scored a great point from 45m out on the left before Shane Kinsella pointed a free to leave them with a goal to spare at the final whistle.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

KINNITTY: Niall Corrigan; Paddy Dooley, Paddy Rigney, Willie Molloy; James Hardiman, Paddy Delaney, Brian Coughlan; Danny Flanagan, Shane Ryan; Conor Meeney, Peadar Robinson, Aodhan Kealey; Odhran Kealey, Conor Hardiman, Cathal Robinson. Subs. James Dempsey (for Cathal Robinson, 43 mins), Shane Kinsella (for Conor Meeney, 52 min).

BELMONT: Damien Egan; Patrick Taaffe, Ciaran Cahill, Jack Egan; Mark Egan, Conor Butler, David Kelly; Jack Clancy, Ronan McEvoy; Leon Fox, Adam Egan, Shane Nally; James Nally, Oisin Kelly, Colin Egan. Subs. Darragh Flynn (for Ronan McEvoy, half time), Conor Dunican (for Shane Nally, 38 mins).

REFEREE: Shane Guinan (Drumcullen)

MAN OF THE MATCH

Kinnitty full back Paddy Rigney gets the vote on this occasion. He did an excellent job in containing Belmont dangerman Oisin Kelly, preventing him winning clean possession and holding him scoreless from play. His performance helped inspire his team to a great victory.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Four minutes from the end Kinnitty were holding on to a two point lead but had hit six wides in a row and were badly in need of a score. Shane Kinsella was on the field four minutes as a sub and from a tussle near the right sideline about 50m out, he rose the ball and struck it instinctively and the ball sailed between the posts for a great score to lift the team.

REFEREE WATCH

Shane Guinan controlled the game well throughout. He was always up with the play and was clear in indicating what each free was for. His officiating wasn't a factor in the outcome.

WHAT’S NEXT

Kinnitty will take on Shinrone in the next round at St Brendan's Park, Birr on Saturday August 3^rd while Belmont will meet Ballinamere in Banagher on Sunday August 4^th.

VENUE WATCH

The Rath venue was well prepared as usual for this clash. There were plenty of stewards on duty inside and out to help organise parking and ensure everything ran smoothly.

STATISTICS

Wides; Kinnitty 12 (3 in first half) Belmont 16 (8 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Kinnitty 1 (Cathal Robinson) Belmont 2 (Colin Egan, Damien Egan)

Black Cards: None

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Kinnitty; Odhran Kealey (0-5, 0-4 frees), Cathal Robinson (1-0), Conor Hardiman, Peadar Robinson, Shane Kinsella (one free) (0-2 each), James Hardiman (0-1, free).

Belmont; Adam Egan (0-6, 0-3 frees, 0-2 '65s'), Colin Egan, Jack Clancy (0-2 each), James Nally, Oisin Kelly (sideline cut) (0-1 each).