Kilmore firepower prevails
KILMORE 0-19 OULART-BALLAGH 2-8
DESPITE THE concession of two goals late on, Kilmore bounced back to kill off Oulart-The Ballagh’s resistance in this entertaining Permanent TSB Junior ‘A’ hurling championship quarter-final in Hollymount on Sunday.
The firepower of Kilmore eventually carried them to victory, with their accuracy from frees and longrange efforts proving decisive. This helped them withstand an Oulart-The Ballagh surge in the closing ten minutes that left the minimum (0-15 to 2-8) separating the sides entering the closing minute, but Kilmore finished with four unanswered points to secure their semi-final spot.
Kilmore served early notice of their point-taking ability as they moved into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead inside the opening ten minutes courtesy of two Aaron Goff long-range frees, Philly Sutton and John Mernagh, while David Nimmo managed a point for Oulart in between.
Kilmore were showing some fine approach play but some erratic shooting cost them scores. Goff both from frees and play continued to build on their lead though, leaving them to go in leading by 0-8 to 0-3 at the interval.
When Kilmore resumed with a fine Tom White point followed by two quick Goff pointed frees, they managed to pull away from their opponents, who had to wait until the 47th minute for their opening second-half score, a Jamie Leacy point.
When Kilmore led by 0-14 to 0-5 entering the closing nine minutes they looked comfortable, but Oulart-The Ballagh were rewarded for their efforts when Cathal Kenny found the net from close in.
When Barry Leacy pointed two quick frees there was a new resolve in the side, before Goff and Leacy exchanged pointed frees.
One minute from the end of normal time, with Oulart-The Ballagh playing with new intensity, Barry Sinnott crashed home a fine goal, leaving the minimum separating the sides (0-15 to 2-8).
Kilmore closed out the game though with points from substitute Shane Goff, Tommy Cousins and two Aaron Goff frees to secure their place in the last four and keep the dream alive.
Kilmore: Noel Casey; Paddy Scallan, Eoin Cooney, Denis Kenny; Pádraig Reville, Stevie Cousins (0-1), Aaron Kielty; Tommy Cousins (0-2), Anthony Barden; Tom White (0-1), Philly Sutton (0-1), Aaron Goff (0-11, 9 frees, 1 ‘65); Paul Murphy, John Mernagh (0-1), Tom Byrne (0-1). Subs. - Shane Goff (0-1) for Mernagh, Mark Sinnott for Murphy.
Oulart-The Ballagh: Cathal Sinnott; Damien Davitt, Richard Doyle, Kevin Sinnott; Conor Lawless, David Rossiter, Colm Browne; Craig Davitt, Darren Nimmo (0-1); Robbie Dunne, Colin Sunderland (0-1), Cathal Kenny (1-0); Barry Leacy (0-5, 3 frees, 1 ‘65), Tom Harpur, Barry Sinnott (1-0). Subs. - Aidan Murphy for D. Davitt, Jamie Leacy (0-1) for Harpur, Stephen Doyle for Dunne.
Referee: Mick Lanigan (Shelmaliers).