Kilbrin’s experience i and guile claim rich dividends in final
KILBRIN announced their arrival back at the top table to capture the Kanturk Co Op Mart Duhallow JAHC following a fully deserved victory over Banteer at Castlemagner last Sunday evening.
Apart from a competitive opening quarter, the outcome was largely trouble free for Kilbrin who once they got into their stride midway through the opening half, they held far too many weapons in their armoury to collect their 11th outright title.
Indeed Kilbrin operated at a higher level, showing terrific commitment, prevailing in most of the individual battles and offer an appetite for scores. Indeed, a 10 minute spell during the second quarter proved highly productive on netting three goals, that incisive spell made all the difference.
For Banteer, the painful memories of five previous defeats to Kilbrin continues, simply, Banteer held no answers to the superior power of the new champions. Having been denied a possible five in a row last season, Kilbrin are firmly back, again ahead of the peloton in Duhallow hurling.
At the outset Kilbrin enjoyed a flyer of a start, Stephen O’Reilly gathered the initial point only for Martin Kearney to reply with a Banteer pointed free. Those early minutes furnished evidence of a close contest as Michael Linehan and Denis Roche traded points.
For a spell, Banteer had cause to feel satisfied , taking encouragement from the efforts of Colm Coughlan, Kearney and Kevin Tarrant. Grabbing a hold of the proceedings briefly, Roche pointed from both play and a free for Banteer enjoy a 0-4 to 0-2 advantage.
Kilbrin remained in the hunt , Shane Crowley obliged with back to back points to gather parity for the last occasion. Steadily, Kilbrin rose their game to a higher plane, a breakthrough surfaced in the 17th min for the opening goal.
That stemmed from a Daniel O’Sullivan shot saved by Banteer ‘keeper Kevin Roche only for Eoin Sheahan to net the rebound.In fairness, Banteer rallied on back to back points from Roche to trim the arrears to the minimum.
However Kilbrin remained more fluent and inventive in their game, their power emanated from the influence of Wesley Corkery, Daniel Sheahan and William Egan in defence with Linehan, O’Reilly and Niall Field creating a further impact.
Indeed Kilbrin carved out the openings with increasing ease and regularity. And their confidence received a massive boost on a delivery from Corkery was fetched by Liam Daly to deliver an unstoppable drive to the Banteer net.
Worse followed for Banteer as the scoring momentum continued for Kilbrin, Daniel O’Sullivan the provider for namesake David to finish sweetly for a third goal. And follow up points by Linehan, Field and O’Reilly strengthened Kilbrin’s position to lead 3-8 to 0-8 at the break.
Matters continued on a similar vein upon the resumption, Banteer custodian Kevin Roche denying Sheahan a certain goal only for Crowley to convert the resultant 65. Though Banteer replied with a David Murphy point, the expected onslaught failed to materialise, their game looked flat footed on toiling in too many departments.
Again Kilbrin turned the screw with a period of sustained pressure, O’Reilly and Sheahan angled over points for a clearcut 3-11 to 0-10 grip. Banteer did battle away yet poor decision making and wayward shooting added to the frustration.
The tempo had dropped, Banteer relying on Roche for the bulk of their scores. Try as they did for a goal, Banteer failed to break down a ring of steel within the Kilbrin defence.
Overall, Banteer held no answers to the incisiveness of all round balanced outfit with Kilbrin veteran Noel O’Callaghan stepping into the fray to add his name on the scoreboard.
*Duhallow Board Chairman Joe Kearns presented the John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup to Kilbrin captain Wesley Corkery. Kanturk Co-Op Mart Chairman John Cott was on hand to present the man of the match award to Kilbrin’s Stephen O’Reilly.
Hosting the divisional final for the first time since 2007, the Castlemagner ground was in pristine condition and overall arrangements by the host club were first class on a balmy evening. Again Newmarket Pipe Band added to the occassion and completing a hectic schedule were Go Games from young players drawn from Banteer and Kilbrin, their presence warmly greeted by the attendance.