Huge against the odds extra time win opens up window of opportunity for Kilcormac-Killoughey

DIGGING deep all over the field, showing terrific character, Kilcormac-Killoughey somehow found a way to survive an extra time shootout against a gutted Naas in a thrilling Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final in Naas on Sunday afternoon.

AIB Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final

Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-32

Naas 3-25

(After extra time)

With a penalty shootout looming, goalkeeper Conor Slevin went from villain to hero as he lofted over a sensational winning free from his own 40 metre line with the two minutes of injury time at the end of the second period of extra time just about up.

In a fantastic, entertaining game of breakneck hurling, it was a huge win for K-K and opens up a real window of opportunity for them. They now have a home game against Wexford champions Shelmaliers in the semi-final in a couple of weeks time and a place in the Leinster final is very much within their orbit.

This was a real against the odds win. In a game that could have went either way, no result would have been unjust but K-K showed serious character as they played with fourteen men from the 52nd minute when Cillian Kiely was sent off for a second yellow. That stacked the odds against them and it could have cost them a dear price in extra time but they stood up all over the field, none more so than Slevin, who had conceded two first half goals that he will be disappointed with, to hand Naas an early initiative.

One of K-K's longest serving players and a veteran of their 2012 breakthrough win, Slevin is one of K-K's great leaders and characters and he showed his quality after that, converting five great frees and making a stunning second half stage at a crucial stage.

It was a thrilling game of hurling, full of swings and roundabouts. Naas had their noses in front a lot of the way but K-K never let them open up any sort of a gap and if ever a win was fashioned on old fashioned guts and desire, this was it.

It was great viewing from start to finish, teak tough, played at pace and with plenty of high quality hurling.

Conor Slevin ended up a central figure for Kilcormac-Killoughey. He conceded two first half goals as Naas grabbed a 2-5 to 0-5 lead after 13 minutes. The first goal was certainly his fault as a misplaced clearance was returned to the net from 30 metres by Jack Sheridan. The second was different as a high ball dropped short in the territory goalkeeper's dread. Slevin opted against coming and Cathal Dowling flicked the ball to the net.

Those goals were crucial for Naas as K-K had done most of the early hurling. Four of the Offaly side's first five points came from play but they struggled badly from here to the interval. Their last five points all came from Adam Screeney frees as Naas led by 2-8 to 0-10 at half time.

The second half was full of twists and turns, and you couldn't take your eye off it. K-K came out with great intent and were level, 0-16 to 2-10 after 37 minutes. Naas were 2-13 to 0-17 ahead after 42 minutes but K-K levelled it up with points from Adam Screeney (free) and Cillian Kiely.

It was 0-20 to 2-14 in the 46th minute and Naas blew a great chance in the next few minutes as they missed a simple 1-2. The free taking of Adam Screeney and Jack Sheridan had been a highlight but Sheridan had two very poor misses while Conor Slevin showed his character and value to his team with a terrific save to deny Charlie Sheridan a 49th minute goal – he also got three great long range frees in normal time.

Adam Screeney's first point from play put K-K ahead in the 49th minute but Sheridan recovered his composure to level it and then the game turned in the 52nd minute when Cillian Kiely hauled down Brian Byrne. He was duly shown a second yellow and Sheridan floated over the free for the lead. K-K came back from frees from Screeney and Slevin put them back ahead, 0-23 to 2-16 and five minutues left.

Naas went 2-18 to 0-23 ahead with two left and it was that way as it drifted into the three minutes of injury time. Sub Karl Guinan, playing his first senior game of the year, got a wonderful equaliser before the excellent James Burke put Naas back in front in the 61st minute. A Conor Slevin free dropped short but somehow K-K conjured an equaliser at the death, Colin Spain striking a fantastic point from out on the sideline to force extra time, 0-25 to 2-19 with the penultimate puck of the ball.

Naas were the better team in the first period of extra time as they opened up a two point gap, 2-23 to 0-27.

It looked like a decisive lead but the second period had so many twists and turns. Adam Screeney got the first point frrom a free and Naas then spurned a great goal chance, Oisin O'Neill tapping over instead of passing to Brian Byrne who was off his shoulder and inside him with the goal at his mercy.

They paid a well deserved price for that when K-K swept up field and Adam Screeney rounded off a fine move with a goal to give them the lead, 1-28 to 2-24. Straight away, Naas attacked and Brian Byrne restored their lead with a 74th minute goal to give them a two point advantage.

K-K showed courage of the highest order. Thomas Geraghty got a point and Conor Mahon equalised, getting away with a possible charge and striking a great point from 55 metres. Slevin put them in front with a 78th minute free, Jack Sheridan equalised in the 79th minute and Slevin won the day with that breathtaking strike with time almost up and Naas couldn't manufacture another equaliser.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Colin Spain (Kilcormac-Killoughey): If Naas had won, the choice would have been Rian Boran who gave a master class of defensive play at full back. His fielding of the ball was superb as he mopped up ball and spread it around with great accuracy.

Colin Spain is my pick. Spain is in the best form of his young life in this club campaign and if he can bring that to Offaly next season, he will be a huge asset to Johnny Kelly. He scored four points from play and his equaliser at the end of normal time was worth the journey to Newbridge alone. It was the unseen work, however, that really commanded respect here as he foraged with such diligence at midfield – the simple hooks and blocks regularly deprived Naas of possession as he displayed a huge work rate. His honesty was refreshing to see and Spain did a serious body of work for K-K.

Ter Guinan was another contender, getting better as it wore on and he had a terrific extra time. Conor Slevin's attitude in taking the early goals on the chin, keeping his nerve and composure and performing should be used as an example to every aspiring young hurler. He ended up a match winner and that type of character is very hard to instill in players.Conor Mahon also came good as it wore on and apart from them, both sides had several players who performed at a high level in an afternoon very well spent.

THE SCORERS

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Adam Screeney 1-13 (11f), Conor Slevin 0-5 (5f), Colin Spain 0-4, Conor Mahon 0-3, Thomas Geraghty 0-2, Cillian Kiely, Enda Grogan, Daniel Hand, Peter Geraghty, Karl Guinan 0-1 each.

Naas: Jack Sheridan 1-13 (11f), Brian Byrne 1-3, James Burke 0-4, Cathal Dowling 1-0, Daire Guerin 0-2, Conan Boran, Simon Leacy, Oisin O'Neill 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY: Conor Slevin; Brecon Kavanagh, Tom Spain, James Mahon; Ter Guinan, Cillian Kiely, Enda Grogan; Colin Spain, Damien Kilmartin; Daniel Hand, Conor Mahon, Leigh Kavanagh; Peter Geraghty, Thomas Geraghty, Adam Screeney. Subs – Jack Screeney for Leigh Kavanagh (40m), Karl Guinan for Peter Geraghty (53m), Alex Kavanagh for Thomas Geraghty (59m), Brian Guinan for Kilmartin (59m), Thomas Geraghty for Guinan (72m), Jordan Quinn for Grogan (70m).

NAAS: Cormac Gallagher; Liam O'Reilly, Rian Boran, Evan O'Brian; Daire Guerin, Conan Boran, Harry Carroll; Peter O'Donoghue, Simon Leacy; Cian Boran, Cathal Dowling, Brian Byrne; Charlie Sheridan, James Burke, Jack Sheridan. Subs – Fionn Maher for Charlie Sheridan (55m), Oisin O'Neill for Cian Boran (55m), Charlie Sheridan for O'Neill (73m), Cian Boran for Maher (77m)

Referee – Thomas Gleeson, Dublin.

REFEREE WATCH

An experienced referee, Thomas Gleeson handled it well and fairly. As the game wore on and the intensity increased with bodies tiring, more and more decisions were contested but he refereed it with great honesty and can keep his head up high.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Three huge moments here.

Cillian Kiely's dismissal could have cost K-K the game. They got away with it on this occasion but Kiely has to be so careful to avoid that initial yellow card – he was one of the players who performed well when things weren't going well for K-K, operating very effectively in the pocket between the half and full back lines but his second card was well earned. Kiely plays his hurling tough and on the line. His discipline has improved greatly from his young days and he has clearly focused on this but he just can't afford to be sent off.

Colin Spain's equaliser at the end of normal time was a magical score and K-K would have been beaten without it while Conor Slevin's winning free avoided the lottery and drama of a penalty shootout.

VENUE WATCH

The impressively refurbished St Conleth's Park was in great order for this and the pitch looked well. There was a good crowd present with a sizeable number making the short trip up from Offaly.

WHAT'S NEXT

Kilcormac-Killoughey are at home to Shelmaliers of Wexford on November 22.

STATISTICS

Wides: Kilcormac-Killoughey – 11 (7 in first half, 1 in 2nd half, 1 in 1st period extra time, 2 in 2nd period); Naas – 12 (7 in first half, 2 in 2nd half, 3 in 1st period extra time, 0 in 2nd period).

Yellow cards: K-K – 3 (Damien Kilmartin, Cillian Kiely 2); Naas – 1 (Peter O'Donoghue).

Red cards: K-K – 1 (Cillian Kiely, 2 yellows); Naas – 0.