JAHC quarter-final up for grabs between Freemount and Kanturk
FREEMOUNT and Kanturk take to the scenic route on Friday to retain an interest in this season’s Kanturk Co-Op Marts JAHC on a round 2 meeting in Kilbrin.
From the opening round, Freemount fell in a dramatic replay on a defeat by neighbours Tullylease.
First day out, it required a pair of late points from Aidan O’Flynn for Freemount to force a draw after extra time. More drama followed in the replay, the majority of those in the large attendance would had put their money on Freemount to emerge victors on leading by five points at the end of regulation time.
However Tullylease failed to read the script and mounted a concerted series of late attacks and a tidal wave of offences claimed a 2-2 tally injury time to swing the tussle. Earlier in the clash, Freemount were spurred in action from the work-rate of Sean O’Mullane, Alan Ballentyne, Aidan O’Flynn and Dean Collins though Ballentyne will be ruled out of the equation on Friday owing to injury.
A second string Kanturk flattered to deceive after an eye-catching opening 30 minutes against Newmarket to round 1. Indeed, Kanturk fought gallantly but as the game developed, they couldn’t quite raise their consistency levels to the extent required to turn the tables on familiar opponents that shot an assortment of scores. Key to Kanturk’s game on that occasion were Michael Hartnett, Kevin Smith, Martin O’Riordan and Cathal Burke.
No doubt both Freemount and Kanturk will strive to improve on their previous outings to seek more consistency. And that will be good enough to generate a competitive battle with a quarter final clash against Kilbrin dangling in front of the winner.