Early goals crucial
Clúain O’Rahilly’s capture the shield
CLUAIN O’RAHILLY’S 4-5 KILMORE 1-4
CLUAIN O’RAHILLY’S turned on the style, with three first-half goals helping them on their way to a ten-point victory over a battling Kilmore outfit in this Enniscorthy Guardian Under-15 hurling Roinn 2 shield final in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, recently.
It was disappointment for Kilmore as they tried to add the hurling title to the football equivalent, but with their lack of scoring power it was always going to be difficult.
This was in contrast to their opponents who utilised the chances that came their way with some clinical finishing, particularly from close to goal.
Clúain O’Rahilly’s had momentum from an early stage, with the neighbours going 1-1 to nil in front within three minutes of the start.
Inside the opening minute, from a lightning attack after the throw-in, Eoin Toomey got on the end of a long Cormac Kiely free to finish to the net from close in.
Within two minutes they had added a point through a Jack Rossiter free, while at the opposite end Kilmore managed to open their account via a fine individual point from James Cousins.
Kilmore were playing into a stiff breeze so were finding it difficult to mount attacks, with the result that Clúain O’Rahilly’s had most of the possession.
And they added a second goal on 16 minutes when Jack Rossiter found space through the centre to finish to the net following a fine piece of play, leaving his side leading by 2-1 to 0-1.
Kilmore were left facing a real uphill battle when Rossiter added his side’s third goal four minutes before the break, with centre-forward Seán Whelan tagging on a point to leave them leading by 3-2 to 1-1 at the interval.
The Kilmore goal arrived in additional time when Cian Murphy-Reddy shot to the net from the edge of the square, giving them a considerable lift to take into the second-half.
On the resumption, Clúain O’Rahilly’s once again seized the initiative when Jack Rossiter added a pointed free within one minute of the re-start.
Following this, Kilmore went on to enjoy their best passage of play as they responded with two Dylan Crowley pointed frees to reduce the deficit to 3-3 to 1-3.
While Kilmore were enjoying an excellent spell of attacking play, they lacked the penetration up front.
And when Clúain O’Rahilly’s responded with a Jack Murphy free, followed by a Paul Murphy goal to move into a 4-4 to 1-3 lead, the result was really a foregone conclusion.
The sides traded points in the closing minutes through a Dillon Crowley free and Jack Rossiter, but the New Ross District lads deservedly came out on top.
Clúain O’Rahilly’s: Stephen Walsh; Eamonn Bennett, Seán Whelan, Jack Roche; Fionn Murphy, Michael Mulligan, Luke Murphy; Cormac Kiely, Adam Whelan; Jack Rossiter (1-4, 0-2 frees), Seán Whelan (0-1), Darragh Donnelly; Eoin Toomey (1-0), Martin Doyle (1-0), Paul Murphy (1-0). Subs. - Martin Donovan, Josh Donnelly, Paul Kiely, Edno Cummins.
Kilmore: Daniel Foley; James Cloney, Conor Rossiter, Niall O’Flaherty; Leo Sinnott, Dillon Crowley (0-3 frees), Stephen McDonnell; Cian Murphy-Reddy (1-0), Max Power; Eoin Cheevers, James Cousins (0-1), Lewis Cosgrave; Joseph Healy, Ross O’Flaherty, Noah Culleton. Subs. - Dylan Hore, Mark Kelly, Eoin Cheevers, Sam Fortune, Davy O’Reilly, Leo Sinnott, Josh Berry.
Referee: Aidan Foley (Shelmaliers).