Carrig-Riverstown continue bright start with crucial win over champions

Two goals from Mark O’Brien as well a stellar performance for defence of Carrig-Riverstown gave them the initiative throughout the game thus left the result in little doubt coming down the home stretch. 

Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Senior B Hurling Championship Round 2

Carrig-Riverstown 2-18

Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-15

It’s a second defeat in a row for Kilcormac-Killoughey in the Senior “B” Hurling Championship and while they still have three games remaining to get things in order, they know they have work to do but we must also remember that they have lost a big chunk of their starting team from last season.  

By the 43rd minute, Carrig-Riverstown held a five point advantage, with David Egan scoring two early points in the second half to add to Willie Gleeson’s back to back scores alongside Lee Hogan and Brendan Hoctor’s scores. 

Lochlann Kavanagh and Dylan Hand were K-K’s only scorers during the opening 20 minutes of the second half and then the game turned when Mark O’Brien got on the end of a shot which came crashing off the crossbar and O’Brien was on hand to fire in the rebound from close range to leave his side eight in front with 11 minutes left to play. 

In the final 10 minutes Carrig-Riverstown held out and made it two wins from two and left the reigning champions still waiting for their first points of the season.  

K-K settled well into the game with the opening two scores from Dylan Hand frees, before David Egan and Andrew Oakley levelled things up shortly afterwards. 

The next few minutes saw Carrig-Riverstown surge into a reasonable lead with scores from Mark O’Brien, Peter King and Lee Hogan leaving them 5-4 in front. However, K-K responded well as Alan Spain found himself in space and baring down on goal before he unleashed a low effort into the corner and giving them the lead once again. 

Mark O’Brien’s goal just four minutes later restored his sides lead once again, leaving Shane Mulrooney no chance in nets with the big full forward powering his effort into the bottom right corner and swung momentum back to Carrig-Riverstown.  

Scores were far and few between over the course of the next few minutes as both sides struggled to convert their chances, until Mark O’Brien’s 23rd minute point put three between the sides with half time approaching. Dylan Hand’s free from halfway was K-K’s first score in 10 minutes and their defence started to get tighter as a result and thus they settled and Hand sent over his first from play to bring it back to a point before Cathal King cancelled that out with a score of his own, leaving the winners 1-9 to 1-8 ahead at the break. 

A dominant second half by last season’s beaten semi finalists saw them now cement their place as one of the favourites for this years championship and making a big statement towards the rest of the county, and while their opponents still games to make up for it, they’ll know they need work to do in order to get a semi final spot later on in the year. 

MATCH ANALYSIS

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MAN OF THE MATCH

Mark O'Brien (Carrig-Riverstown): Peter King had a great game in the middle of the park, with Cathal King and David Egan also having solid showings. 

Charlie Bracken was good at full back for KK, while Lochlann Kavanagh and Dylan Hand kept the scoreboard ticking for them in the second half. 

Mark O’Brien was the best player on the field, his two goals were critical and his presence at full forward was also huge in helping his side claim a big win as he finished with 2-4.

THE SCORERS

Carrig-Riverstown: Mark O’Brien 2-4, Willie Gleeson (3frees) 0-4 David Egan 0-3, Peter King and Lee Hogan 0-2 each, Brendan Hoctor Cathal King and Andrew Coakley 0-1 each. 

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Dylan Hand (5frees) and Lochlan Kavanagh (3frees) 0-6 each, Alan Spain 1-0, Karl Guinan, Conor Quinn and Shane Guinan 0-1 each. 

THE TEAMS

CARRIG-RIVERSTOWN: Liam Hoare; Tom Hogan, Mike Fitzgerald, Caelum Larkin; Brendan Hoctor, Joe Hoctor, Timmy Carey; Cathal King, Peter King; Willie Gleeson, Paddy Bergin (C), David Egan; Andrew Coakley, Mark O’Brien, Lee Hogan. Subs– Dan England for Gleeson (47m), Eoin King for Hogan (55m).

KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY: Shane Mulrooney; Shane Melia, Charlie Bracken, Harry Sweeney; Richie Bracken, Karl Guinan, Enda Grogan; Conor Quinn, Alan Spain; Shane Guinan, James Kilmartin, Oisin Kilmartin; Tadhg Donoghue, Dylan Hand, Lochlann Kavanagh. Subs–James Geraghty for Spain (49m), Danny Spain for Guinan (55m).

Referee – Shane Guinan, Drumcullen.

REFEREE WATCH

Shane Guinan refereed the game well and while both sides would have been upset with one or two decisions, they can’t have many complaints with the game overall and he did a good job in the middle. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Mark O’Brien’s goal just moments after the bar was hit was essentially the killer moment and was the insurance score they needed to secure the win. 

VENUE WATCH

Carrig-Riverstown hosted the game fiercely well, the Carrig pitch was in good order, there was plenty of parking around, and a good crowd at the game, with plenty of stewards around to help and offer refreshments.  

WHAT'S NEXT

Kilcormac Kiloughey face Clodiagh Gaels in round 3 in Glenisk O’Connor Park, while Carrig & Riverstown take on Coolderry in Shinrone.

STATISTICS

Wides: Carrig-Riverstown – 12  ( 6 in first half); Kilcormac-Killoughey – 13  (8 in first half).

Yellow cards: 0

Red cards: 0