Good start is half the battle as Kanturk cruise
Kanturk 3-13 Na Fianna ( Armagh) 0-12
JUST one step left to go before Kanturk can call themselves All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Champions after the Duhallow side brushed aside the challenge of Ulster Champions Middletown Na Fianna of Armagh last Saturday afternoon in Newbridge.
In front of an impressive and passionate crowd, the men from the banks of The Allow put in a totally professional performance that saw them secure their place in the showpiece game without ever really getting into fourth gear.
In less than ideal conditions for expansive hurling Kanturk got off to the perfect start and never let up against a Middletown Na Fianna side that just couldn’t match the quality or fitness of the Cork and Munster Champions.
Kanturk, like their northern opponents knew little about the opposition except that the Armagh men had serious pedigree in the county and Ulster senior hurling, however, the men in green and white were still hot favourites to progress to headquarters thanks to their impressive rise through the County and Munster competitions.
With names like Lorcán McLoughlin, Aidan Walsh and Anthony Nash in their line-up it is no surprise that Kanturk have reached the heights they have however the current successes have been achieved thanks to the efforts of over 30 players with the lesser known names all playing their part in the run to the national final.
Early goals from Alan O’Keeffe (1) and inter-county keeper Nash (14) eased any early nerves on the Cork side as Kanturk looked to put this one to bed well before the half time interval. Nash’s penalty goal was a terrific strike however it was almost stopped by the diving Middletown Na Fianna keeper Fintan Woods.
Ian and Aidan Walsh impressed throughout from their wing forward berths while McLoughlin deputised superbly for the club’s absent free taker Liam O’Keeffe who remains a doubt for the final with a hand injury.
Points from Lorcan O’Neill (Captain) John Browne, Ian Walsh and Nash (long range free) all went a long way to keeping the vanquished side at bay on occasions when they looked to be fighting back in the first and second periods.
Nash’s long range free on the stroke of the interval stopped a mini revival that saw Middletown Na Fianna cut the gap from 10 to eight points. The shot-stopper also banged over a huge free in the second period which gave the opposition a clear indication that they had to curtail their free count as they were susceptible from anywhere.
Credit to Middletown Na Fianna and in particular their talisman and main threat Ryan Gaffney the fourteen times county champions stuck to the task managing five points first half points (four from frees) which left them with a slight chance as the sides headed for the changing rooms. (2-8 to 0-5). Kiernan McKernan also showed his worth from the middle third with a brace of points.
After the break Middletown kept up their challenge however they couldn’t cut the gap to anything like what would be required to mount a serious comeback as Kanturk never looked like losing their grip on this semi.
The victors ratcheted up the pressure on the resumption and when James Fitzpatrick bundled the ball over the Middletown line this one really was over and the game still had all of 23 minutes to go.
Croke Park will hold no fears for at least three Kanturk players and while many others may never have even been inside the gates of headquarters this current Kanturk squad have earned the right to strut their stuff on the biggest stage of all.
The famous or perhaps at this stage infamous St Patrick’s of Ballyragget will be Kanturk’s opposition in the final on Sunday and while the headlines may have been less than flattering for the Kilkenny side this season there is no doubting that this will be the biggest test so far for a Kanturk side with all eyes firmly on the prize. KANTURK: A Nash 1-1 (1-0 pen, 0-1f); P Walsh, J McLoughlin, E O’Connor; J Browne 0-1, M Healy; L McLoughlin 0-7 (4f), R Walsh; I Walsh 0-1, L O’Neill 0-1, A Walsh 0-2; A Sheehy, A O’Keeffe 1-0, J Fitzpatrick 1-0 Subs: D Kennelly for J Fitzpatrick (45), M O’Riordan for A Sheehy (52), D O’Connor for A Walsh (55), D O’Donoghue for A O’Keeffe (56)
MIDDLETOWN NA FIANNA: F Woods; O Curry, P Gaffney, P Hughes; P Lappin, N Curry 0-1f, T Nevin; P McBride, K McKernan 0-2; R Gaffney 0-6f, C Carvill 0-1, D Carvill 0-1; M Moran, M Maguire 0-1, L Woods Subs: S Toal for P Hughes (45), P Curry for P Lappin and B Mallon D Carvill (both 58)
REFEREE: G McGrath (Wexford)