Annacurra see off Kilmac

side and always seemed to be able to do just enough to force a wide at one end or find a score at the other.

Dead balls from Frank Clune and Clive Horan kept the home side’s lead intact before Mick Healy came close to finding the net before the break. Annacurra showed great composure to work the ball across the pitch and back again in front of the defensive screen before quick hands from Clive Horan and Frank Clune released Healy in on goal but Kilmac goalkeeper Daryl Tighe pulled off a super save with his feet to deny the speed demon.

Scores from Simon Doyle and Josh O’Callaghan left Annacurra leading by the minimum at the break.

Annacurra pulled away in the second half in no small part down to the stellar performance of Martin O’Brien. After shipping a late hit during one passage of play O’Brien became a man possessed, winning a mark, halting multiple Kilmac attacks, assisting a score as well as chalking up a rare score of his own. The game could have been put beyond doubt but for another excellent save by Daryl Tighe with the keeper making a fingertip save onto the post, this time from Mick O’ Brien. Kilmacanogue struggled to deal with wave after wave of Annacurra attacks in the second period.

The conditions certainly played a part in this, with the energy sapping heat perhaps slowing the speed at which the visitors could set up their defensive screen.

Josh O’Callaghan and Kevin Redden kept their side in touch in the second period and a red card for Mick O’Brien for a second bookable offence gave the away side a glimmer of hope but in truth Annacurra’s experienced display meant it always looked like they would prevail once they established a solid lead. An injury to Kilmacanogue midfielder Robert Conan was a bitter blow for the visitors. Conan enjoyed a fine outing, always a willing runner and a real warrior in defence, but went down in a charge for goal late in the game with a muscle injury. Frank Clune saw out the game in style with two well-taken scores to seal the two points for Annacurra. ANNACURRA: Bob FitzGerald, James Keenan, Martin O’ Brien(0-01), Elliot Robinson, Liam Moules, Ciaran Byrne, Paul McDonald, John Hynes, Alan Byrne(0-01), Glenn Austin, Michael Healy, Mick O’ Brien, Clive Horan(0-03), Frank Clune(0-05), Ian McDonald(1-02). Subs: Patrick Moules, Shane O’ Keeffe, Alan Horan(0-01). KILMACANOGUE: Daryl Tighe, Joseph Molloy, Bob O Donnell, Donal Tuohy, Luke O’ Callaghan, Gavan Burke, Cian Rafferty, Ben O’ Callaghan, Robert Conan, Simon Doyle(0-02), Josh O’ Callaghan(0-06), Kevin Redden(0-01), Sam O’ Callaghan(0-01), Garry King, Craig O’ Neill. Subs: Arron Brady(0-01)