Kilcormac/Killoughey canter to expected comfortable win over Kinnitty

Molloy Precast And Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 4

KILCORMAC/KILLOUGHEY 3-27

KINNITTY 0-13

KILCORMAC/KILLOUGHEY eased to their expected comfortable win over Kinnitty when they had 23 points to spare in their Offaly Senior Hurling Championship encounter played in Kilcormac on Sunday.

The home side were always in control of this contest and never looked to be in trouble. Kinnitty kept them honest for much of the first half but two goals in the final four minutes of the first half put paid to their chances as Kilcormac/Killoughey went in leading by 2-13 to 0-8 at half time and that effectively was that.

A third goal just over a minute after the restart quickly followed by five unanswered points put them 19 points clear and they were able to throw on subs after that as they took complete control and by the finish they had 23 points to spare.

Kinnitty showed plenty of fight but they were always chasing the game. They had the wind behind them in the first half and they kept within touching distance for much of that half but those two goals late in the half really put paid to their chances. They strugggled to make openings against the wind after the break and it took them 22 minutes to score from play. They only managed two points from play in that half but to their credit they kept pressing but just couldn't prise open a solid Kilcormac/Killoughey defence.

Kilcormac/Killoughey are now on five points in the group with a game to play and are two behind Belmont who have completed their four games. Victory in their final group game against Shinrone would see Kilcormac/Killoughey claim top spot in the group by virtue of a superior scoring difference and would earn them a place in the semi-final. Any other result would see them playing a quarter final.

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Kinnitty's final group game will be against St Rynagh's, who have also lost all three group games so it is a straight shoot out between them with the winners maintaining their senior status for next season while the loser will go into the relegation play off against Seir Kieran.

While Kilcormac/Killoughey won this game comfortably there were aspects of their game that they will look to improve. They registered 15 wides over the hour, 11 of them in the second half, and some of them were poor misses. In general they moved the ball around well and they were patient in waiting for the right player to have a shot but occasionally they took on efforts from bad positions rather than retaining possession longer. Eleven different players did get on the scoresheet for them, 10 of them scoring from play, and they had the scoring well spread around.

They took the opportunity to bring in subs and when you can call on stalwarts like Oisin Mahon and Cillian Kiely from the bench, it shows their strength in depth and they were happy to get minutes into the legs of those players.

Kinnitty don't have that kind of luxury but they don't lack heart and they fought hard. Their handling let them down on occasions with passes going astray also but they didn't give up and they know now all depends on that final group game against St Rynagh's.

Mark Mulrooney, Jordan Quinn and Brecon Kavanagh were prominent in defence for Kilcormac/Killoughey. Colin Spain scored two points from the middle of the field while Charlie Mitchell, Conor Mahon and Alex Kavanagh all did well in attack.

Paddy Rigney, Paddy Dooley and Shane Kinsella put in a big effort in defence, Cathal Robinson worked hard at midfield and James Dempsey and Aodhan Kealey were best in attack.

Both sides had registered two wides each before Colin Spain opened the scoring after three minutes but Danny Flanagan quickly levelled for Kinnitty. Adam Screeney pointed a free and a '65' before Conor Mahon pointed from 65m to put them three up. Kinnitty enjoyed their best spell after that as James Dempsey and Odhran Kealey cut the gap to one and then Aodhan Kealey levelled matters just before the end of the first quarter.

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Alex Kavanagh and Charlie Mitchell restored Kilcormac/Killoughey's lead with Shane Kinsella keeping Kinnitty very much in touch. Charlie Mitchell fired a great shot off the post and the ball was bundled out for a '65' before Kilcormac/Killoughey could pounce. Adam Screeney pointed that '65' and he added two more from a free and play with Daniel Hand also scoring a wonderful individual point to push them five points clear.

James Dempsey pulled one back but Jordan Quinn came forward to point and four minutes before the break Kilcormac/Killoughey struck for their first goal when Adam Screeney's high ball broke in the goalmouth and Alex Kavanagh gathered and fired to the roof of the net. Adam Screeney pointed a free but Aodhan Kealey and a long range free from goalkeeper Niall Corrigan cut the gap to seven but Charlie Mitchell picked off another point and in first half injury time a lovely move from defence involving James Mahon, Damien Kilmartin and Adam Screeney saw him pick out Conor Mahon who finished to the net and Kilcormac/Killoughey were 2-13 to 0-8 ahead at the break.

Just over a minute into the second half a huge delivery from Conor Slevin was caught by James Gorman near the endline, he took a return pass from Adam Screeney before sending his shot to the net. In the next five minutes Charlie Mitchell added two from play and Adam Screeney notched three, two from frees, as Kilcormac/Killoughey put clear daylight between the teams.

Kinnitty got their first score of the half after 11 minutes from a James Dempsey free but Kilcormac/Killoughey kept coming and Peter Geraghty, Daniel Hand (2, one free), Conor Slevin (a huge free from just outside his own 20m line) and Thomas Geraghty all pointed to leave Kilcormac/Killoughey 23 points ahead heading into the final quarter.

James Dempsey pointed two more frees, sandwiching a Conor Mahon point, before Danny Flanagan got Kinnitty's first point from play in the half after 22 minutes. Charlie Mitchell added his fifth point, Daniel Hand pointed a free from midfield and Colin Spain scored a terrific point from the right sideline after soloing out of defence before Shane Ryan had the final point of the game for Kinnitty with the home side 23 points clear.

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MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

KILCORMAC/KILLOUGHEY: Conor Slevin; Mark Mulrooney, Tom Spain, James Mahon; Jordan Quinn, Brecon Kavanagh, Jack Screeney; Damien Kilmartin, Colin Spain; Daniel Hand, Conor Mahon, Charlie Mitchell; Alex Kavanagh, James Gorman, Adam Screeney. Subs. Peter Geraghty (for James Gorman, 37 mins), Thomas Geraghty (for Adam Screeney, 39 mins), Oisin Mahon (for Mark Mulrooney, 43 mins), Cillian Kiely (for Jordan Quinn, 44 mins).

KINNITTY: Niall Corrigan; Willie Molloy, Paddy Rigney, Paddy Dooley; Conor Meaney, Shane Kinsella, Brian Coughlan; Cathal Robinson, Jason Armstrong; Odhran Kealey, Eoghan Callaghan, Aodhan Kealey; Danny Flanagan, James Dempsey, Conor Hardiman. Subs. Christopher Leonard (for Conor Hardiman, 11 mins), Peadar Robinson (for Jason Armstrong, 37 mins), Paddy Byrne (for Eoghan Callaghan, 37 mins), James Hardiman (for Odhran Kealey, 47 mins), Shane Ryan (for Conor Meaney, 47 mins).

REFEREE: Kieran Dooley (Drumcullen)

MAN OF THE MATCH

On a day when Kilcormac/Killoughey gave a fine all round team display, I've gone with Charlie Mitchell. He scored five points from play, hit the post with another effort and was busy at all times around the forward line.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Although you always felt Kilcormac/Killoughey could go through the gears if needed, Kinnitty were still within touching distance as the first half entered its final four minutes but two goals between then and half time firmly shut the door on Kinnitty and put Kilcormac/Killoughey well on the road to a comfortable victory.

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REFEREE WATCH

It was a fairly straightforward day for Kieran Dooley who had little of contention to deal with. He allowed good advantage and let the game flow and he wasn't a factor in the game.

WHAT’S NEXT

Kilcormac/Killoughey face Shinrone in their final group game needing a win to secure top spot in the group and with it a place in the semi-finals while Kinnitty's final group game is against St Rynagh's with the winner securing their place in the top tier for next year and the loser facing Seir Kieran in a relegation play off.

VENUE WATCH

A fine crowd turned up to watch Kilcormac host their home game and they did a fine job. There were plenty of stewards on duty, there was loads of parking available and they looked after traffic management after the game well. The pitch was in good order and the home fans went home happy after seeing their side record a big win.

STATISTICS

Wides; Kilcormac/Killoughey 15 (4 in first half) Kinnitty 12 (8 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Kilcormac/Killoughey 0 Kinnitty 1 (Shane Ryan)

Black Cards: None

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Kilcormac/Killoughey; Adam Screeney (0-9, 0-5 frees, 0-2 '65s'), Conor Mahon (1-2), Charlie Mitchell (0-5), Alex Kavanagh (1-1), Daniel Hand (0-4, 0-2 frees), James Gorman (1-0), Colin Spain (0-2), Jordan Quinn, Peter Geraghty, Conor Slevin (free), Thomas Geraghty (0-1 each).

Kinnitty; James Dempsey (0-5, 0-3 frees), Danny Flanagan, Aodhan Kealey (0-2 each), Odhran Kealey, Shane Kinsella, Niall Corrigan (free), Shane Ryan (0-1 each).

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