Kanturk secure status with comfortable play-off win

Kanturk 0-16 Killeagh 0-9

THIS county senior Hurling relegation final was played in Fermoy on Sunday night in cold but dry conditions.

Ryan Walsh opened with an early point for the winners. Killeagh levelled in the fourth minute by Killian Treacy. Gradually Kanturk took control with Lorcan O’Neill, Darren Browne and Liam Cashman excelling in the half-back line.

Liam O’Keeffe edged the Duhallow side ahead from a free. Kanturk had a series of fine points by Lorcan O’Neill, Ian Walsh and Liam O’Keeffe. Aidan Walsh forced Killeagh keeper Colin Walsh to save well from close range.

By the end of the first quarter Kanturk led 0-5 to 0-1. A foul on Garry Leahy led to a penalty for Killeagh. Eoghan Keniry’s effort was excellently saved by Anthony Nash with the rebound going out for a ‘65 that went wide.

Nash was forced to make a splendid save in the 23rd minute. Ryan Walsh placed Aidan Walsh for a point with the latter having another point soon after as Kanturk led 0-8 to 0-2.

In the 26th minute Killeagh pointed a ‘65 by Eoghan Keniry. Good play for Kanturk by James Fitzpatrick led to an Aidan Walsh point. Garry Leahy replied for the East Cork side.

Killeagh tried very hard to get back in contention. Good play by Matthew Murphy to Garry Leahy led to another brilliant save by Anthony Nash as Kanturk held an interval lead 0-10 to 0-5.

On the resumption both sides exchanged points. Killeagh had 3 points on the trot that had the lead down to 3 points entering the final quarter 0-12 to 0-9. Kanturk upped their performance with Lorcan McLoughlan, James Fitzpatrick, John McLoughlan Lorcan O’Neill and Darren Browne very effective.

Killeagh failed to score in the last quarter with Kanturk ensuring their victory with four points on the trot by Lorcan McLoughlan (2) Ryan Walsh and Liam O’Keeffe as they maintained their senior status.

KANTURK: A Nash, P Walsh, J McLoughlan, J Browne, L O’Neill 0-1, D Browne, L Cashman, L McLoughlan 0-2f, D O’Connell 0-2, J Fitzpatrick 0-2, I Walsh 0-1, R Walsh 0-2, A Walsh 0-3, A O’Keeffe, L O’Keeffe 0-3 (0-1f) Subs: B O’Keeffe for I Walsh, M Healy for A O’Keeffe, C Mullane for J Fitzpatrick

KILLEAGH: C Walsh, C Fogarty, C Coughlan, P O’Neill, P O’Brien, K Murphy, A Keniry, B Collins, M Fitzgerald, K Lane, D Walsh, K Treacy 0-1, G Leahy 0-2, E Keniry 0-5 (0-4f, 0-1 ‘65’), M Murphy 0-1 K Kelly-Budds for M Murphy (inj)

REFEREE: Dave Copps (Ballyhea)