Kilcormac-Killoughey survive tricky banana skin as new window of opportunity opens up

KILCORMAC-Killoughey once again showed they can grind out results as they survived a very tricky banana skin in Carlow to book a semi-final place against Westmeath champions, Castletown Geoghegan in Dr Cullen Park on Sunday.

AIB Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final

Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-17

St Mullin's 1-12

They were forced to work hard in windy and occasionally wet conditions that didn't suit many of their lighter younger players, but once their ability to do the basics right saw them through. With Castletown Geoghegan shocking Kilkenny kingpins Thomastown earlier in the day, a great window of opportunity has opened up for K-K but that will be another very tough battle and they won't need anyone to tell them that no team can be taken for granted at this grade of competition any more.

Kilcormac-Killoughey will also know that they are coming into a time of year that will really test them and they can't play the free flowing, flying hurling that set the pulse racing for much of the Offaly championship. They are more vulnerable at this time of year and they did just enough to win here without being brilliant but those games are all about winning and they did this with a small bit to spare.

They did very well to win this one, it was hard earned and they were forced to fight for everything. They did look like they would have enough in the tank most of the way and were nine points clear at one stage in the first half before being sucked into a real dogfight. St Mullin's had the gap back to six at half time and K-K were certainly worried when their lead was just three at the three quarter-way stage.

They showed a terrific ability to do the right thing and not cough up soft frees when the pressure came to bear and this was the most impressive aspect of their win. The winners got six of the last ten points and always looked like getting home in a frantic closing quarter.

It was over three months ago since St Mullin's played the Carlow final as they played hurling off before football and it certainly showed in the first twenty minutes.

The home side got the first point from Ger Coady in the 1^st minute but Kilcormac-Killoughey took control all over the field after this. Displaying their customary work ethic, they turned over ball regularly and could have got out of sight early on.

As it was K-K were in a very strong position when they led by 1-8 to 0-2 after 21 minutes. They were full value for this lead at this stage with their defence completely on top and their forwards exposing the defence.

K-K were 0-3 to 0-1 up after five minutes and Daniel Hand showcased all that is good about their team in the eight minute with a terrific goal. He chased a lost cause, won the ball superbly off St Mullin's goalkeeper Kevin Kehoe and finished very well. Jack Screeney, very hungry to make his mark as a replacement for hamstring victim Ter Guinan got two fine points as K-K opened up that nine point gap.

His 21^st minute point, however, proved to be their final score of the half as St Mullin's finally found the right tempo and cut down on the basic errors. They were lucky to be still in touching distance as K-K missed a few scoreable chances as well as having a tap over free thrown in when players rushed in after Adam Screeney was fouled.

St Mullin's did well to get the last three points to trail by 1-8 to 0-5 at the break but K-K had the wind to come and were very much in pole position.

They were 1-10 to 0-7 ahead when a sensational 38^th minute goal from St Mullin's best player, James Doyle brought them right back into it. Crucially, the next score was a K-K one, a great long range free from goalkeeper Conor Slevin. Marty Kavanagh brought it back to a goal again in the 45^th minute but Slevin again came up trumps with another huge free from the 65 metre mark after Leigh Kavanagh forced Marty Kavanagh into over carrying.

Enda Grogan and Charlie Mitchell added points to make it 1-14 to 1-8 after 49 minutes and a sdix point cushion meant that St Mullin's had to get goals. They managed to get it back to four points, 1-16 to 1-12 with a minute of normal time plus five of injury time to be played but a tenacious K-K defence were excellent. The winners broke brilliantly for a magnificent closing point in the 61^st minute with Jordan Quinn and Peter Geraghty lifting the siege in defence and Colin Spain floating over a beauty from midfield out on the right wing.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jordan Quinn (Kilcormac-Killoughey): On a day when some of their marquee players found things difficult and Cillian Kiely and Ter Guinan were out injured, a few stepped up to the plate. One of those was my man of the match Jordan Quinn, whose physicality and turnovers in defence were instrumental to the win. Quinn won an abundance of ball, using most though not all, of it very well and his work rate and heart was inspirational.

Jack Screeney and Colin Spain were also contenders. Screeney, a late replacement for Ter Guinan, was magnificent as he won hard ball, scored three points and had assists before being called ashore inside the last ten minutes. Spain's display at midfield also commanded complete respect while a mention has to be made to wing back Enda Grogan, one of K-K's most experienced players, who did so much good work. Daniel Hand went very well in the first quarter in particular while the K-K full back line never put a foot wrong.

James Doyle was St Mullin's best player and his 1-4 haul was a huge contribution on a day when fellow forwards found it difficult to get going.

THE SCORERS

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Adam Screeney 0-4 (4f), Jack Screeney 0-3, Daniel Hand 1-0, Conor Slevin (2f), Damien Kilmartin and Conor Mahon 0-2 each, Colin Spain, Enda Grogan, Charlie Mitchell and James Gorman 0-1 each.

St Mullin's: James Doyle 1-4, Marty Kavanagh 0-3 (2f), Ger Coady, Michael Walsh, Conor Kehoe, Jack Kavanagh, Paddy Boland 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY: Conor Slevin; Tom Spain, Oisin Mahon; James Mahon; Jordan Quinn, Brecon Kavanagh, Enda Grogan; Damien Kilmartin, Colin Spain; Leigh Kavanagh, Conor Mahon, Jack Screeney; Daniel Hand; Charlie Mitchell; Adam Screeney. Subs – Peter Geraghty for Hand (41m), James Gorman for Jack Screeney (53m), Cathal Kiely for Kilmartin (55m), Alex Kavangh for Adam Screeney, inj. (57m),

ST MULLIN'S: Kevin Kehoe; Paudi O'Shea, Paul Doyle, Paudie Kehoe; Ger Coady, Michael Walsh, Ciaram Harris; Conor Kehoe, Eamon O'Shea; Jack Kavanagh, James Doyle, Paddy Boland; Marty Kavanagh, John Doyle, Jason O'Neill. Subs – Oisin Ryan for Jack Kavanagh (51m), John Doran for Harris (54m),

Referee – Padraig Dunne (Laois).

REFEREE WATCH

Padraig Dunne refereed it fairly, allowing for the difficult conditions, and there were no big talking points, though there were a few times K-K did look entitled to frees and St Mullin's did have a couple of dangerous tackles that weren't punished – and selector Tommy Bracken was red carded for his protests around ten minutes into the second half. A couple involved Adam Screeney who may have went to ground a bit theatrically on one of the occasions, though a free is always a free and should be given irrespective of that.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The two frees Conor Slevin got after James Doyle's goal were huge moments. They settled K-K's nerves, got the gap back out to four and meant that St Mullin's had to get a second goal to survive.

VENUE WATCH

A large enthusiastic crowd created a great atmosphere and Carlow hosted the fixture very well.

WHAT'S NEXT

Kilcormac-Killoughey go into the semi-finals against Castletown Geoghegan of Westmeath.

STATISTICS

Wides: Kilcormac-Killoughey - 11 (5 in first half); St Mullin's - 6(4 in first half).

Yellow cards: K-K – 0; St Mullin's – 2 (Jack Kavanagh, Paddy Boland).

Red cards: 0