Timely Millstreet run diffuses Kanturk challenge
Millstreet 2-16 Kanturk 1-9
MILLSTREET took a lengthy spell to shut out a determined Kanturk effort in a moderate Kanturk Co-Op Mart Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship Round 3 at Castlemagner on last Friday.
At times, not a great spectacle but the outcome proved everything it needed to be for Millstreet. In what was largely a disappointing tussle, Millstreet improved significantly either side of the resumption to come away worthy winners.
On doing so, Millstreet get their campaign back on track after an earlier defeat at the hands of Tullylease yet far greater consistency over the full hour will be required if they harbour hopes of making further inroads.
The outcome proved so frustrating for a second string Kanturk who held dominance for the opening 20 minutes but in the concluding analysis, they could unduly complain about their fate once Millstreet found their shooting range.
Early on, Kanturk possessed all the enthusiasm, imposing themselves on the game through the solid workrate of Billy O’Keeffe, Michael Hartnett, Cian Clernon , Jordan Fullerton and Donough Duane. Indeed Kanturk availed of better economy up front, Duane pointed as did Fullerton from a delightful sideline to edge ahead 0-5 to 0-2.
Millstreet held their share of possession but much of the good was taken on erratic shooting that contributed to ten wides in the opening half. But as game advanced, Millstreet quickened the intensity, close to a goal as Kanturk ‘keeper Barry Kenneally saved brilliantly from Michael Vaughan and Tomás Walsh was denied by the upright.
Continuing to turn the screw, points by Mark Ellis and John O’Mahony helped Millstreet enjoy a slender 0-7 to 0-6 advantage at the break. Though a Duane point forced parity on the restart, a more assertive Millstreet proceeded to dominate.
Strong play from Seán Óg O’Connor, David Barrett, Tim Healy, Ellis and Vaughan contributed to a productive flourish. Points from Ellis and Vaughan preceeded a goal, a probing delivery from Danny Buckley threaded a path to the Kanturk net.
Kanturk hauled themselves right back into contention, Clernon and Duane combining to set up Fullerton for a cracking goal. However, the Millstreet response was swift and decisive, points to Walsh, Buckley, Beircheart O’Connor, Vaughan and Ellis helped put some daylight between the pair.
In fairness, Kanturk kept plugging but with the clock counting down, a lone point to Brendan Mullane wasn’t going to be enough to save the day. But with momentum behind them, Millstreet pushed on and finished at a gallop, substitute Donal O’Riordan sealing victory on whipping to the net in the last action. MILLSTREET: J Kelleher; G McCarthy, B Sheahan, S Og O’Connor; D Barrett, A Murphy, T Healy; M Ellis 0-6 (3f, 1’65), B O’Connor 0-1; D Buckley 1-2, J O’Mahony 0-1, T Walsh 0-3; T Sheehan, T Collins, M Vaughan 0-3. Subs: D O’Riordan 1-0 for Collins, K Sheehan for S Og O’Connor.
KANTURK: B Kenneally; S O’Brien, B O’Keeffe, M Hartnett; E Geaney, D O’Connor, K Smith; J Carver, C Mullane 0-1; J Fullerton 1-3 (0-1 sideline), C Boyce, C Clernon; D McCarthy, D Duane 0-6 (5f), B Mullane.
REFEREE: G Moran (Banteer)