Kildorrery outgunned by Cloughduv
Cloughduv 2-15 Kildorrery 0-17
Goals in either half by Padraig O'Driscoll and Mark Verling helped Cloughduv claim the points at stake when they defeated Kildorrery in the Red FM Div 4 Co HL at Kildorrery on Sunday.
Aided by the breeze in the opening half, Kildorrery started brightly with James Keating (4) and James McEniry reeling off early points that moved them 0-5 to 0-2 in front by the eighth minute. From there on, Cloughduv improved greatly with Odhran O'Driscoll, Michael Dunne Sean Barry, Jack Walsh, Mark Verling, Jack Devine, Padraig O'Driscoll and David Brennan thundering into the game. Sean Barry and Mark Verling had a point each, before they struck for the first of their two goals in the 14th minute when a huge delivery by Jack Walsh was gathered by Padraig O'Driscoll on the edge of the square to finish to the net - 1-4 to 0-6.
Over the next couple of minutes, the Mid Cork side stretched their lead when David Brennan and Dylan Shanahan had a point apiece. Kildorrery responded with points by the Keating brothers, James and Luke, but at the other end, three more points on the trot by Jack Walsh, David Brennan and Jack Devine opened up a four point cushion for the Mid Cork side. Just before the half-time whistle, James Keating with his seventh point of the half left just a goal between the teams at the interval when they trailed by 1-9 to 0-9.
On the resumption, James Keating continued his scoring and three pointed frees by the 34th minute left it all to play for when tied at 1-9 to 0-12. In a keenly contested half Jack Devine was also very accurate from frees for the winners and three pointed frees along with a fine point from Mark Verling restored a 1-13 to 0-13 cushion as they headed into the last quarter. In a gripping finish, the Avondhu outfit were denied a goal scoring opportunity when James McEniry and David Kelly combined well to set up James Keating whose effort at goal was well saved by Cloughduv keeper, Conrad Crowley.
At the other end, Cloughduv made full use of the chances they were presented with. Mark Verling scored a great point from a sideline cut, while wing back Eoin Clifford also chipped in with a point as they moved five clear by the 50th minute. Kildorrery missed another chance at goal soon after when David Kelly was narrowly wide when he was first to react after Luke Keating's effort at goal was saved by the Cloughduv keeper. Instead it was the winners that struck for their second goal in the 54th minute when a good pass by Jack Walsh set up Mark Verling who billowed the net to make it 2-15 to 0-13.
With time running out, Kildorrery threw caution to the wind. James Keating (2), David Kelly and Luke Keating all had points going down the home straight, but it was not enough with Cloughduv holding out for a deserved win.
Kildorrery: Ian Butler, Cathal O'Sullivan, Cormac Ó Baoil, Richie Hurley, Jerry McCarthy, Michael Walsh, James O'Sullivan, Padraig Harrington, Kieran Hurley, Sean Watson, James Keating 0-13 (0-6f, 0-1s/l), Cathal Harrington, Luke Keating 0-2, James McEniry 0-1, Tiernan Condon. Subs: David Kelly (0-1) for Tiernan Condon, Sean Kelly for Padraig Harrington, Sean Cunningham for Cathal Harrington (inj).
Referee John O'Leary (Mallow).