Kilbrin bow out despite bagging two goals in quarter-final

Russell Rovers 0-17 Kilbrin 2-10

RUSSELL Rovers and Kilbrin played a thrilling quarter-final at Fermoy on Friday evening.

The game was close and tense throughout with the outcome in the balance right to the end. The East Cork side showed great teamwork, speed and accuracy. Brian Hartnett, Josh Beausang and Daniel Moynihan excelled in attack for the winners notching 0-12 over the hour.

Kilbrin relied mainly on Stephen O’Reilly and Shane Crowley who did very well with William Egan outstanding in the closing moments. The sides were level 0-1 and 0-2 each before the Duhallow side struck for their first goal by Shane Crowley after a well taken sideline cut by Stephen O’Reilly in the 14th minute.

Three rapid points for the Rovers by Josh Beausang (2) and Eoin O’Sullivan had them level 1-2 to 0-5. Kilbrin edged in front through a Stephen O’Reilly free with Brian Hartnett with a great point levelling.

Late points by Shane Crowley and Daniel Moynihan had them level for the 5th time at 1-4 to 0-7. In injury time Brian Hartnett with a great point gave the winners the lead. Deep in injury time O’Reilly landed another free that had the sides level for the 6th time at the break 1-5 to 0-8.

Russell Rovers dominated on the restart. They were outstanding in the half backline and midfield sectors. Brian Hartnett placed Daniel Moynihan for a point, with Kieran Walsh adding another.

Josh Beausang landed a fine free with John Aherne soloing through for a point that opened up a lead 0-12 to 1-5. In the 40th minute Stephen O’Reilly had Kilbrin’s first score of the second half.

Good play for Rovers by Eoin McGrath and Kieran Walsh led to a brilliant point by Josh Beausang. Eoin O’Sullivan landed a fine point as the winners moved 0-14 to 16 clear. Kilbrin made a great recovery, they made some good runs and caused the Rovers defence to concede some frees.

Stephen O’Reilly pointed two by the 50th minute 0-14 to 1- 8. A minute Later Brian Hartnett scored a great point. In the 52nd minute Eoin Sheehan goaled and Kilbrin were right back in the hunt 0-15 to 2- 8.

Good play by Evan Murphy led to a fine point by Stephen O’Reilly with five minutes to go. Russell Rovers levelled through Kieran Walsh. William Egan made some valiant clearances for Kilbrin in the closing moments. In the 63rd minute Josh Beausang pointed a long range free that put Rovers into a county semi-final against St Catherines.

RUSSELL ROVERS: R Walsh, A Beausang, K Ivors, K O’Brien, D O’Brien, J Kennefick, C Ruddy, D Moynihan, K Walsh 0-2, J Aherne 0-1, K Moynihan 0-2, E O’Sullivan 0-2, E McGrath, J Beausang 0-6 (4f), B Hartnett 0-4. Subs: J McGrath for E McGrath, I Smiddy for K Ivors, K Ivors for A Beausang, L Murray for J Aherne

KILBRIN: P O’Callaghan, W Corkery, T O’Reilly, K Buttimer, D Sheehan, W Egan, C Carroll, G Linehan, S Crowley 1-1, D Daly, Daniel O’Sullivan, S O’Reilly 0-9 (8f), M Linehan, E Sheehan 1-0, W Heffernan.

Subs: David O’Sullivan for Daniel O’Sullivan, E Murphy for M Linehan, N Field for D Daly

REFEREE: Andrew Larkin (Shamrocks)