Kilcormac/Killoughey secure Division 4 title with five point win over Ballyskenach/Killavilla

KILCORMAC/KILLOUGHEY are the Division 4 Hurling League Champions after a win over Ballyskenach/Killavilla in Rath on Saturday evening. Played in very wet slippery conditions, the KK men were overall the better side over the course of the 60 minutes and have secured a second league title in the last 24 hours to add to the Division 2 title won against Carrig & Riverstown on Friday. 

Division 4 Hurling League Final

Kilcormac/Killoughey 1-15

Ballyskenach / Killavilla 0-13

It was a good performance from KK and one that will give them great confidence heading into the championship as they aim to claim the Junior title after years of trying. The introduction of Ciaran Slevina at half time along with the experience of Ger Healion at centre back, coupled by strong individual displays from Steven Leonard, Sean Buckley and Colm Leonard gave the KK the incentive to seal the game.

The hard work of Daniel Coughlan, Oisin Guinan and Donnchadh Kilmartin helped the side draws fouls, win dirty ball and contribute to the scoreboard. For Ballyskenach/Killavilla it’s a tough defeat but they showed tremendous heart to keep to going and with a few minutes left, they were still left with a chance but they just Gave themselves a bit too much to do and couldn’t crawl it back to maintain a challenge to their opponent’s victory. 

Kilcormac/Killoughey started the stronger as they registered the first three scores thanks to Steven Leonard, Oisin Guinan and Sean Buckley. They continued this good form and after 15 minutes they led 1-5 to 0-2. It took Ballyskenach/Killavilla until the 12th minute to score through a free from Liam O’Riordan, but then Kilcormac/Killoughey broke through and a floating ball in from Daniel Coughlan was met with a delicate touch from close range by Steven Leonard and the double K’s were looking comfortable early on.

Sean Hartnett was the first player to score from play for his side after the 19th minute, before another free from Cormac Franks brought the game back to just a three point deficit heading into the final ten minutes of the first half. A mix up at the back from a puckout gave Sean Hartnett a glorious chance to give Ballyskenach the lead but Seamus McDonald was on hand to pull off a big save and preserve his side's advantage. 

The game went into a period of shots dropping short and tempers flying with no remorse shown by either side. Cormac Franks’ fourth pointed free drew them back to within two points and left it all to play for in the second half. 

Kilcormac/Killoughey didn’t score from the 13th minute until half time and had to wait until Daniel Coughlan’s point on 33 minutes to add to the scoreline. Ciaran Slevin was introduced at half time and made his impact immediately with back to back scores, as well as winning a free, with Ger Healion setting him up for the second. 

Steven Leonard then added a brace both from a free and play to further extend KK’s lead to six and beginning to dominate the tempo of the play. Two further scores from Leonard and Slevin left KK in a promising position but Ballyskenach didn’t give up and kept the scoreboard ticking with frees from O’Riordan and Franks which left proceedings at four with 10 left on the clock. 

A terrific score from the stick of Colm Leonard was quickly cancelled out by a free from O’Riordan but Ciaran Slevin quickly responded with a free of his own to leave KK five in front and still holding onto that advantage and from there KK held out and never looked like losing the lead from there and thus added a league success ahead of the championship season. 

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

GER HEALION (KILCORMAC/KILLOUGHEY): Ciaran Slevin and Steven Leonard had fantastic showings and were crucial with their scores. Colm Leonard worked tirelessly in the middle, the full back line of KK was strong and compact, with Oisin Guinan having a solid display. Liam O’Riordan and Cormac Franks were the main scorers for Ballyskenach, while Sean Hartnett and Sean Delaney also had positive moments over the 60 minutes.

Ger Healion was the difference. Healion is back hurling after finishing the seniors in 2023 and was comfortably the best player on the pitch, with his presence, setting up scores, winning high ball, dictating the play from centre back and just being a real leader all round.

THE SCORERS

Kilcormac/Killoughey: Steven Leonard 1-6 (3frees), Ciaran Slevin 0-5 (1free),  Oisin Guinan, Sean Buckley, Daniel Coughlan and Colm Leonard 0-1 each.

Ballyskenach / Killavilla: Liam O’Riordan (5frees) and Cormac Franks (6frees)0-6 each, Sean Hartnett 0-1. 

THE TEAMS

Kilcormac/Killoughey: Seamus McDonald; Donnchadh Kilmartin, Sean Kilmartin, Diarmuid Bracken; Oisin Guinan, Ger Healion, Eoin Gleeson; Colm Leonard, Ciaran Moore; Dan Mahon, Sean Buckley, Robert Boland; Aidan Bracken, Steven Leonard, Daniel Coughlan. Subs– Ciaran Slevin for Mahon (HT), Rory Gleeson for Moore (HT), Eamon Bracken for Coughlan (42m), David Coyne for Leonard (59m), Eoin Leonard for Gleeson (59m).

Ballyskenach / Killavilla: Alan Franks; Gavin Hannon, Ferghus Hannon, Conor Dooley; Robert Gunnell, Sean Delaney (C), Paddy Delaney; Conor Franks, Peter Hogan; Brian Murphy, Cian Doyle, Liam O’Riordan; Rian Lee, Sean Hartnett, Neil Hennessy. Subs– Niall O’Connor for Hennessy (HT) Martin Murphy for Hogan (31m), Sean Dooley for Doyle (48m), Tadhg Maher for Lee (59m) 

Referee – Declan Cooke, Crinkill.

REFEREE WATCH

Declan Cooke refereed the game well and didn’t have many tough decisions to make here. When the game was starting to get a bit fiery he kept things cool and stamped authority very quickly.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Steven Leonard’s 13th minute goal was the key moment as it just edged KK’s lead out to seven at a stage when Ballyskenach hadn’t quite gotten firing yet. It felt very smooth from there on out. Colm Leonard’s 51st minute point was also a big moment as it just kept KK in front when their opponents had drawn it back to four.

VENUE WATCH

Rath was the host venue for Saturday evening’s clash. It was a tough evening for hurling with the weather, but the pitch was still in fabulous condition and they hosted the game very well as we’ve come to expect with parking not an issue and stewards around to direct traffic before and after the game. 

WHAT'S NEXT

The championship starts for both these teams in two weeks. 

SEE NEXT: Carroll introduction pivotal as Coolderry pushed to the wire by battling Carrig-Riverstown

STATISTICS

Wides: Kilcormac/Killoughey – 10  ( 1 in first half); Ballyskenach / Killavilla – 9  ( 4  in first half).

Yellow cards: Kilcormac/Killoughey - (0) ; Ballyskenach / Killavilla – (1) Cian Doyle

Red cards: 0