Professional Kilcormac-Killoughey cruise into semi-finals

KNOWING exactly what they had to do, Kilcormac-Killoughey were ruthlessly professional and very efficient as they cruised into the semi-finals of the Offaly Senior “B” Hurling Championship with a routine win over Drumcullen in Banagher on Saturday.

Molloy Environmental Systems Senior “B” Hurling Championship Round 5

Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-30

Drumcullen 2-14

Irrespective of results elsewhere, K-K were in the happy position of having their fate in their own hands and they were in control from start to finish.With Drumcullen already in the relegation play off, it was all too easy for K-K who made a statement of intent when leaving their best player, Brian Guinan off – a statement that suggested he was in the plans of the senior hurling management, even though he was on the line for this.

K-K played well on the day, though it was all too easy against a Drumcullen side who have found the step up from intermediate to senior B too big and have had a year to forget – they now play Carrig-Riverstown in the relegation play off and are favourites to make a quick step back.

It was shooting practice for K-K who played well throughout the field and were on top in every sector.

Kilcormac-Killoughey very much had their destiny in their own hands when they led by 1-16 to 1-8 at half time.

They were the better team from the start and stormed into a 0-7 to 0-4 lead after 10 minutes. The shooting was flawless by both sides early on and it was only after this when Drumcullen's Colm Gath recorded the game's first wide – JK Kilmartin shot K-K's first wide in the 14th minute when they were 0-8 to 0-5 ahead.

The excellent Mark Mulrooney got two points, one free, and K-K took complete control with a lucky 17th minute goal when Killian Spain misjudged the flight of Stephen Leonard's attempt at a point.

K-K were 1-11 to 0-6 up after 20 minutes but Drumcullen kept it interesting with 1-1 without reply, Colm Gath picking his spot with a great goal afrer Dylan Hollywood laid it off. K-K kept the score board ticking over from here to the interval for that eight point lead and Drumcullen did not help their own cause with some very poor wides, They had eight in the first half and some of these were neither realistic shots or passes while Eoin Gath went for goal for two frees in quick succession nearly half time, the first saved and the second wide.

K-K put the issue beyond doubt with four quick points in the second half. They got seven of the first eight points and a 1-23 to 1-9 lead after 37 minutes meant that it was over as a contest.

Drumcullen rallied with 1-3 without reply, Conor Gath getting the goal in the follow up after Colm Gath's penalty was saved but the deficit was still a whopping eight points and those scores didn't raise a murmur of excitement among their support.

It all drifted out harmlessly from here with K-K easing back into third gear but still picking off seven points and the final whistle was a relief to a struggling Drumcullen.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Mark Mulrooney (Kilcormac-Killoughey): Mark Mulrooney gave a wonderful display of striking, scoring sixteen points with five from play. He was sharp, physical and had a few assists for other scores. An easy choice for man of the match with Killian Leonard, Cathal Kilmartin, Conor Quinn, Shane Guinan and Stephen Leonard also impressing.

THE SCORERS

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Mark Mulrooney 0-16 (1 '65' and 10f), Stephen Leonard 1-3, Shane Guinan 0-3, Cathal Kilmarin, Conor Quinn, Conor Lowry 0-2 each, JK Kilmartin and Karl Guinan 0-1 each.

Drumcullen: Eoin Gath 0-9 (1 '65' and 6f), Conor Gath and Colm Gath 1-0 each, Patrick Lyons 0-2, John Foley, Joe McCarthy, Dermot Gath 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY: Shane Mulrooney; Tadgh Donoghue, Charlie Bracken, Harry Sweeney; Killian Leonard, Richie Bracken, Cathal Kilmartin; JK Kilmartin, Conor Quinn; Karl Guinan, James Geraghty, Shane Guinan; Mark Mulrooney, Stephen Leonard, Conor Lowry. Subs – Dylan Hand for Lowry (57m), Donnacha Kilmartin for Donoghue (57m), Luke Bracken for Geraghty (59m).

DRUMCULLEN; Killian Spain; Danny Maher, Donal Guinan, Jack Ryan; John Foley, Stephen Hanrahan, John Cashin; Colm Gath, Dylan Hollywood; Joe McCarthy, Dermot Gath, Patrick Lyons; Conor Gath, Eoin Gath, Ray Gath. Subs – Maitin Ryan for Hollywood (35m), John Murray for Ray Gath (35m), Ryan Hollywood for Lyons (46m), Fiachra Dooley for McCarthy (53m).

Referee – Matthew Farrell, Tullamore.

REFEREE WATCH

Matthew Farrell had a good game. He was consistent with penalising dissent and kept a tight grip on it. Drumcullen's 45th minute penalty was very questionable but didn't matter in such a one sided game. It looked like Eoin Gath had slipped but Farrell insisted he was tripped and gave Charlie Bracken a yellow card.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

K-K's first goal from Stephen Leonard gave K-K a 1-10 to 0-5 lead. It was a disastrously soft goal for Drumcullen who were just about hanging in there at that stage and their goose was cooked.

VENUE WATCH

Banagher was in excellent condition for this, the first of three games here at the weekend.

WHAT'S NEXT

Kilcormac-Killoughey make the semi-finals while Drumcullen await the relegation play off.

STATISTICS

Wides: Kilcormac-Killoughey – 7 (3 in first half); Drumcullen – 10 (8 in first half).

Yellow cards: Kilcormac-Killoughey – 3 (Charlie Bracken, Richie Bracken, Mark Mulrooney); Drumcullen – 0.

Red cards: 0