Kilrush get off the mark
KILRUSH RE-IGNITED their credentials when a goal in either half helped them defeat Cloughbawn by 2-8 to 1-7 in Group A of the Joyces Expert Intermediate ‘A’ football championship played in unfavourable conditions in Camolin on Sunday.
The cross-wind and persistent drizzle in the firsthalf made life difficult for both sides as neither could acclimatise to the elements, with broken attacking play and wayward shooting the order of the day.
Kilrush were perhaps the more cohesive unit in that period, with Michael Murphy, Brian Hayden (free), James Byrne and Podge Byrne helping them into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Cloughbawn’s biggest threat came from wingbacks Gavin Murphy and Harry Kehoe, with the former combining with Paudie Kehoe to make it a one-point game on 22 minutes.
However, the game’s decisive score arrived right at the stroke of half-time when Ted Kinsella finished soccer-style to the net on the second attempt as Kilrush broke with a significant 1-5 to 0-4 interval advantage.
And the 43rd-minute goal that put considerable daylight between the teams was a thing of beauty as substitutes Edmond Kenny and Seán Kirwan were involved before Seán Bookey lobbed to the top corner of the net.
Cloughbawn began to attack en masse in search of parity, with Harry Kehoe pegging back a daisy-cutter goal two minutes later (2-7 to 1-5).
But the same player was denied from the penalty spot on 58 minutes when Darragh Kinsella dived to his left to produce what turned out to be a crucial save and ensure that Kilrush claimed a worthy win that was a marked improvement from their first round drubbing by Naomh Eanna.
Kilrush: Darragh Kinsella; Tom Byrne, Frank Lancaster, Jim Sharry; Peter O’Neill, James Lancaster (capt.), John Kavanagh; Colm Buttle, Seán Bookey (1-0); James Byrne (0-1), Michael Murphy (0-1), Brian Hayden (0-4 frees); Ted Kinsella (1-0), Billy Nolan (0-1), Podge Byrne (0-1). Subs. - Edmond Kenny for P. Byrne (37), Seán Kirwan for Buttle (40), Colm Buttle for O’Neill (56).
Cloughbawn: Billy Dunne; Johnny Cullen (capt.), Colin Doyle, Aaron Byrne; Gavin Murphy (0-1), David Doyle-Murphy, Harry Kehoe (1-1, 0-1 free); Páidí Cullen, James Dempsey; Paudie Kehoe, Paul Foley (0-2, 1 free), Kyle Murphy; Bob Whitty (0-1), Martin Kehoe (0-2, 1 free), Barry Carton. Subs. - Thomas Foley for P. Kehoe (HT), Cathal Doran for K. Murphy (HT), Billy Wickham for P. Foley (55).
Referee: Pádraig Byrne (Kilanerin).