Impressive second half sets Kildorrery on their way

Kildorrery 1-20 Youghal 1-13

An impressive second half display paved the way for Kildorrery to run out worthy winners over Youghal when the sides met in the Red FM Division 4 Co HL tie at Kildorrery on Thursday evening.

The opening half was keenly contested with a just a goal separating the teams at the interval, but it was Kildorrery that dictated matters on the changeover, outscoring their opponents by 1-12 to 0-5 to run out convincing winners.

The opening stages saw both teams quick into the action. Rory McMahon had an early point for Youghal with Kildorrery responding when Peter O’Brien, David Hunter, Tiernan Condon and James Keating reeled off points that moved them 0-4 to 0-2 in front. Youghal quickly got up to the required pace with Brett Moloney and Bill Cooper having a point each by the 10th minute to force level at 0-4 each.

Over the next ten minutes they were tied on three more occasions when James Murray (3), James Keating (2) and Peter O’Brien swapped points. In the 22nd minute Youghal struck for the game’s opening goal when Bill Cooper and Devon O’Donoghue combined well to set up Brett Moloney for a well taken goal. In their next attack they were most unlucky not to breach the Kildorrery backline for a second goal, when Ciaran O’Mahony was narrowly wide.

In the run up to the break, James Murray and Peter O’Brien exchanged frees, as Youghal held a 1-8 to 0-8 interval advantage.

On the changeover Kildorrery certainly upped their efforts greatly with Shane Fitzgerald, Michael Walsh, James Keating, Shane O’Neill and Peter O’Brien featuring strongly. The Avondhu side dominated most of the running and were level when Peter O’Brien, David Hunter, Sean Watson and Michael Walsh were on target by the 39th minute, 1-9 to 0-12 – the Youghal point coming from Bill Cooper.

As the game headed into the last quarter, the sides couldn’t be separated when tied at

0-15 to 1-12, when James Murray (3), Peter O’Brien (2) and James Keating swapped minors. From here on Kildorrery gained supremacy. James Keating landed a huge free from back in his own half backline, before Peter O’Brien’s effort for a goal was tipped over by the Youghal keeper, Jack Corcoran at the expense of a point.

Moments later Kildorrery put a bit of daylight between the teams when James Keating soloed through to score a cracking goal 1-18 to 1-12 and it helped set them on their way to a fully deserved victory.

Kildorrery: Ian Butler, Darren McNamara, Cormac O Baoil, Conor Kent, Shane Fitzgerald, James Keating 1-7 (0-3f), PJ Keating, David Hunter 0-2, Michael Walsh 0-1, Tiernan Condon 0-1, Peter O’Brien 0-8 (0-7f), Shane O’Neill, Padraig Harrington, Luke Keating, Sean Watson 0-1. Subs: Sean Kelly for Padraig Harrington, James O’Sullivan for Tiernan Condon, Cathal Harrington for Sean Watson.

Referee was Denis Motherway (Ballygiblin).