Late rally sees Castlelyons deny Kilworth
Castlelyons 0-19 Kilworth 0-17
Having lost county finals at this grade in 2020 and 2021 to Blarney and Courcey Rovers respectively, Castlelyons made it third time lucky at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday when a late rally in the closing moments saw them pip Kilworth to the post when the sides clashed in a highly entertaining Co-Op Superstores Co Premier IHC final.
For long periods Kilworth looked to have done enough, but in the end it was three points on the spin that turned the outcome in Castlelyons’ favour. Played in ideal weather conditions, both teams were at it from the outset.
Castlelyons came very close to scoring a goal in the opening minute when Anthony Spillane was narrowly wide, while at the other end Jamie Sheehan tested the Castlelyons’ keeper, Jack Barry, when his effort at goal was cleared off the line. Kilworth registered the game’s opening score when Eoin Carey pointed in the fifth minute and they followed with points from Jeremy Saich, Cormac Donnellan and Michael Sheehan to move 0-4 to 0-1 in front by the 10th minute – the Castlelyons point coming from Oscar Hallihan.
Castlelyons missed a couple of scoring chances early on and in the 12th minute, Alan Fenton had a free for the East Cork outfit. Still, it was Kilworth that were showing the greater urgency as they worked the short passing to great effect. A foul on the hardworking Michael Gowen produced a free that was duly punished by Michael Sheehan. Castlelyons replied when good work by Alan Fenton set up Anthony Spillane for a well taken point.
Kilworth had some fine performances from Jeremy Saich, David Twomey, Michael Sheehan, Kieran Lane, Jamie Sheehan, Brian Sheehan and the Carey brothers, Luke and Eoin, all featuring strongly. A point each from Michael and Jamie Sheehan moved them 0-7 to 0-3 in front. Colm Spillane got in on the scoring act for Castlelyons when he pointed from long range in the 22nd minute, with Kilworth responding courtesy of a Michael Sheehan free, following a foul on Noel McNamara.
In the run up to the break Castlelyons came more into proceedings. In the 26th minute Kilworth's Kieran Lane, with a timely interception, denied Anthony Spillane a goal scoring chance. Nevertheless two late points by the hugely impressive Leon Doocey helped narrow the deficit to just two points at the break, when trailing by 0-8 to 0-6.
On the changeover, despite Leon Doocey getting the scoring underway with a point, it was Kilworth who set out their intentions. In the 33rd minute Eoin Carey set up Liam Whelan who soloed through to split the posts. Moments later Brian Sheehan and Noel McNamara combined well to set up Eoin Carey for a fine point. Indeed Carey turned provider for Michael Sheehan to send over, as they moved firmly into the driving seat when surging 0-11 to 0-7 in front by the 35th minute.
Castlelyons quickly realised the challenge that lay ahead. They came very close to scoring a goal a minuter later when the Kilworth keeper, Killian Heggtevit was called upon to make a double save to deny both Leon Doocey and Anthony Spillane from close range, at the expense of a '65 that Alan Fenton converted. During this half the East Cork side introduced a number of substitutions, all making an impact as they closed down their opponents’ advantage. Keith O'Leary pointed within minutes of his introduction and he also scored another crucial point in the latter stages.
In the 38th minute, Leon Doocey with a great point following a superb solo run up along the flank, left just the minimum between the teams at 0-11 to 0-10. From the resultant puckout Jamie Sheehan had a point at the other end, with the North Cork side following with a free from Michael Sheehan, that helped put a bit of daylight between the teams as they moved 0-13 to 0-10 clear.
However, Castlelyons were gradually finding their feet with Colm Barry, Niall O'Leary, Colm Spillane, Leon Doocey, Alan Fenton and Anthony Spillane showing great leadership in the last 20 minutes. Alan Fenton landed a huge free from back in his own half backline, before Barry Murphy set up Keith O'Leary for a point in the 41st minute to come within a point.
Back again came Kilworth. A good pass from Luke Carey set up substitute Leo Coffey to score a great point from near the sideline, while Brian Sheehan moved them three clear at the midway stage after Liam Whelan and Eoin Carey combined well as they looked to be in with a very good chance of holding on for victory.
In a thrilling finish, Castlelyons upped their efforts greatly as they gained a foothold in the half forward line. Alan Fenton pointed two frees, before they forced level at 0-15 apiece for the first time in the game, when Anthony Spillane pointed in the 55th minute. Kilworth hit the front again when Michael Sheehan pointed a free, but as they entered the home straight the Avondhu side found it rather difficult to break down the Castlelyons defence, where Colm Barry and Colm Spillane were superb in the closing stages. Anthony Spillane had them level for the second time at 0-16 apiece and they were also tied at 0-17 apiece when Brian Sheehan and Alan Fenton exchanged points.
From there on, Castlelyons finished in a flurry. At the end of normal time they took the lead for the first time in the game when Alan Fenton pointed a free. Kilworth tried hard for the equalising score but it was not to be, with Anthony Spillane completing the scoring for the winners as they ran out victors by a two point margin.
After the game, Marc Sheehan, chairman of the Cork GAA Co Board, presented the cup to the victorious captain Colm Spillane.
For Kilworth, at the start of the season it was all about maintaining their status for next season. They enjoyed a marvellous journey en route to the final where they just came up short by a narrow margin.
TEAMS
Castlelyons: Jack Barry, Leo Sexton, Niall O'Leary, Colm Barry, Colm Spillane 0-1, Dara Spillane, Jamie O'Leary, Alan Fenton 0-7 (0-6f, 0-1 '65'), James Kearney, Peter Roche, Leon Doocey 0-4, Colm McCarthy, David Morrison, Anthony Spillane 0-4, Oscar Hallihan 0-1. Subs: Barry Murphy for Peter Roche, Keith O'Leary (0-2) for Colm McCarthy, Shane Moroney for Jamie O'Leary,
Kilworth: Killian Heggtveit, Luke Carey, Kieran Lane, Austin O'Hara, Jeremy Saich 0-1, Dave Twomey, Michael Gowen, Liam Whelan 0-1, Eoin Carey 0-2, Jamie Sheehan 0-2, Noel McNamara, Will Condon, Michael Sheehan 0-7 (0-6f), Cormac Donnellan 0-1, Brian Sheehan 0-2. Subs: Leo Coffey (0-1) for Cormac Donnellan, Ryan Jordan for Jeremy Saich, Pierce Riordan for Will Condon (inj).
Referee Wayne King (Banteer).