Kilshanning leave it late to seal win

Kilshannig 2-16 Naomh Aban 1-17

AN injury time goal sealed victory for Kilshannig in the at Carrigadroichead on Friday evening.

This was a very keenly contested game with both sides having their moments. Naomh Aban started well and had two early points by Diarmuid O’Ceallaigh and Concubhair O’Murchu.

The Kilshannig side came strong with Conor McMahon kicking two excellent points. Further pressure yielded points by Darragh O’Sullivan from play and a free to go 0-4 to 0-2 clear after 12 minutes.

At the end of the first quarter good play by Diarmuid O’Ceallaigh led to a fine point by Daire O’Laoighre.

The Glantane side replied with a pointed free by Darragh O’Sullivan after a foul on Jack Twomey.

In the 20th minute Diarmuid O’Ceallaigh and Aodh O’Cathain worked well for Concubhair O’Criodiain who left just a point between the sides. Kilshannig replied a minute late by Bill Curtin following a four man attack.

Concubhiar O’Murchu and Diarmuid O’Ceallaigh with minors had the sides level 0-6 each after 25 minutes.

Darragh O’Sullivan edged Kilshannig ahead with a pointed free. The Mid Cork side were back on terms when a well placed kickout by Gearoid O’Luasa found Diarmuid O’Meachair who placed Diarmuid O’Ceallaigh for another point 0-7 each.

The sides were level for the fourth time in the closing moments when Daire O’Laoighre and Darragh O’Sullivan swopped a point. In injury time Diarmuid O’Ceallaigh with a well executed point gave the Gaeltacht side an interval lead 0-9 to 0- 8.

Kilshannig got the perfect start on the changeover. Four points on the trot had them 0-12 to 0- 9 clear after just 36 minutes. Naomh Aban battled back well. Daire O’Loinsigh soloed through and pointed.

They got on top at midfield for a period where Miceal O’Duinnin impressed. Concubhiar O’Criodain followed with a point. Naomh Aban keeper Gearoid O’Luasa saved well from Dermot Twomey. Killian Murphy had a very good point for Kilshannig.

Kilshannig keeper Kevin McMahon made a very good save from Diarmuid O’Meachair with the ball breaking to O’Criodain who cut the lead to a point 0-13 to 0-12. The sides were level in the 47th minute when Diarmuid O’Ceallaigh, Aodh O’Cathain and Concubhair O’Murchu combined very well for Daire O’Laoighre who tied the game up for the fifth and last time at 0-13 each.

The Avondhu side had a goal by Jack Kearney. Both sides exchanged a point and Kilshannig looked on their way to the final when ahead 1-14 to 0-14 after 51 minutes. Good play by Killian Murphy and Eoin O’Sullivan led to a great point on the run by Brian Guerin.

By the 54th minute Kilshannig led 1-16 to 0- 16. Naomh Aban never gave up O’Ceallaigh pointed a free and when Miceal O’Duinnin was brought down in the area in the 55th minute a penalty was awarded.

O’Ceallaigh coolly dispatched the penalty and Naomh Aban were a point clear entering the 56th minute. Naomh Aban had their first wide of the second half a minute later. Kilshannig were also off target.

The all important score came to Kilshannig in the 61st minute when Kevin O’Flynn and Diarmuid O’Sullivan worked well for Joseph Cronin who cut in from the corner and gave a good delivery to the well placed Eoin O’Sullivan who goaled from close range.

Time ran out and it was Kilshannig who advanced to meet Robert Emmett’s in the Co final on Friday evening August 18 in Pairc Ui Rinn.

KILSHANNIG: K McMahon, B Walsh, J Cronin, B Curtin 0-1, C O’Shea, B Guerin 0-2, C McMahon 0-2, K Murphy 0-2, J Twomey, Darragh O’Sullivan 0-6 (0-3f) C Murphy, K Twomey 0-2, J Kearney 1-1, D Twomey, J Murphy Subs: Diarmuid O’Sullivan for J Murphy, E O’Sullivan 1-0 for D Twomey, K O’Flynn for K Murphy (black card)

NAOMH ABAN: G O’Luasa, D O’Tuama, R de h-Ide, F O’Loinsigh, A O’Cathain, T O’Riordain, M O’Ceallaichean, M O’Duinnin 0-1f, C O’Murchu 0-3, D O’Ceallaigh 1-5 (1-pen, 0-1f) C O’Criodain 0-3, D O’Meachair, D O’Laoighre 0-4, P O’Liathain, D O’Loinsigh 0-1

REFEREE: Brian Walsh (Aghada)