Kealy the key as Luke O’Toole’s march on
6-13 1-10
THE switching of Barry Kealy back to full-back when Kilcoole’s Tom Wilson was starting to cause major headaches for Luke O’Toole’s was one of the major deciding factors in the winning and losing of this entertaining under-13 ‘A’ hurling championship semi-final in Ballinakill on Saturday afternoon.
A Luke O’Toole’s victory was quite likely regardless but Wilson’s 1-2 immediately after the first water break caused Sean O’Shea to make the switch with Kealy and Pearse Byrne which proved very profitable as Byrne would go on to rattle home two goals thanks to some fine fielding in the Luke O’Toole’s forward line while Kealy would reduce the impact of the talented Wilson.
Luke O’Toole’s are a very capable side with strong hurlers all over the field and their county final showdown with Arklow Rocks promises to be a mighty battle. Leading their attack was Adam Lifely who would finish with eight points (five frees and one 45) while Kealy and Pearse Byrne were pivotal players in this comprehensive victory against a gallant Kilcoole side.
A disastrous start did Eamonn Hughes’ side no favours. Luke O’Toole’s raced out to a 2-5 to 0-0 lead before Kilcoole finally got off the mark through a Jack Ryan pointed free.
O’Toole’s had Adam Lifely (four, two frees and a 45) and Barry Kealy with points and goals from the excellent Brian Tallon and Sean Byrne.
Kilcoole were under pressure. Their defence was working like
terriers but they were facing a very useful Luke O’Toole’s side who were showing no mercy in front of goal.
After Jack Ryan’s opener for the Goosebank side, Luke O’Toole’s rattled off another 2-2 with two Tom Wilson pointed frees in between; Daniel Byrne and Barry Kealy with a goal and a point apiece to leave it 4-6 to 0-3 at the first water break.
But Kilcoole rallied superbly. A Jack Ryan pointed free was followed by Wilson’s 1-2 and he roared at his colleagues to lift their game and drive hard at Luke O’Toole’s as the gap was now closed to 4-6 to 1-6 with oodles of time remaining.
But with Barry Kealy switching with the lofty Pearse Byrne it spelled disaster for Kilcoole. O’Toole’s powered on and led by 5-10 to 1-8 at the second water break, Pearse Byrne with their fifth goal and although Wilson would add two points, one beauty from play, the game was over when
Pearse Byrne rattled the net late on to leave Luke O’Toole’s through to face Arklow Rocks on a score of 6-13 to 1-10.
Full credit to a gallant Kilcoole, they battled bravely until the end and possess an abundance of natural hurlers who will only improve with another year under their belts.
Luke O’Toole’s against the Rocks in the big one. That’s going to be some battle.
LUKE O’TOOLES: Liam Molloy; Pearse Byrne (2-0), Conor Wilson, Cillian Duffy, Callum Keenaghan (0-1), Darragh Rice; Mikey Keogh, Marc O’Shea; Adam Lifely (0-8, 5f, 1 45), Barry Kealy (1-2), Brian Tallon (1-0), Daniel Byrne (1-1), Sean Byrne (1-1). Sub: Dominic O’Loughlin, Rhyan Moules, Lucas Cronin.
Lochlainn Hughes; Regan Kelly, Cian Power, Aidan Heffernan, Sam Travers, Jack Ryan (0-3, 2f, 1 45); Sean Lawless, Finian Hughes; Charlie Colleran, Alex Doyle, Mick Carroll, Joe Keeshin, William Cash, Tom Wilson (1-7, 5f, 1 45), Robert Cowman, Tom Merriman, Joe Dempsey, Luke Turley, Bailey Stamp, Adam Keane, San Fenelon, Cian O’Brien. REFEREE: Eddie Leonard (St. Patrick’s)