Under 21 champions off to a winning start
Kilshannig 1-17 Kilara 0-14
LAST year’s County Under 21 BHC kingpins Kilshannig made it a winning start to opening game of this season Avondhu Under 21 Hurling Championship when they defeated Kilara (Kilworth/Araglin) in the Country Clean Under 21 AHC at Castletownroche on Tuesday evening.
In a thrilling contest the game was in the melting pot until the winners struck for the only goal of the game two minutes from the end of normal time by Eanna O’Hanlon that helped turn the tie in their favour in the end.
Despite the sides being tied at 0-1 each by the second minute when Cormac Donnellan and Kieran Twomey traded a point it was the Glantane side that showed the greater urgency for long periods of the first quarter and it was reflected when they were full value for their 0-6 to 0-2 lead by the 13th minute.
However, as the half went on Kilara quickly settled with Eoin Carey, Jamie Sheehan and Cormac Donnellan prominent figures in attack. Carey and Donnellan reeled off the next three points between them by the 18th minute to come within a point 0-6 to 0-5.
The remainder of the half was keenly contested. Kilshannig moved two clear when Conor McMahon picked up possession to score a point after Shane Lyons attempt came back off the post.
From the puck-out the Glantane side won a vital break with Eanna O’Hanlon pointing from distance to surge into a three point lead. Kilara regrouped well from here with Oisin Hickey and Eoin McGrath making some great clearances out of the back line.
At the otherend three well taken points by Jamie Sheehan (2) and Cormac Donnellan forced level at 0-8 apiece by the 22nd minute. In th run up to the break Kilshannig edged in front when Kieran Twomey pointed a free while in the 27th minute a marvellous score by Kevin O’Flynn from out near the sideline moved them two clear.
In injury time Kilara completed the first half scoring when Eoin Carey pointed a free to leave the narrowest of margins between the teams at the shortwhistle.
On the changeover Kilara were back on parity in their first attack when Eoin Carey sent over from long range. Like the first half both teams again enjoyed their moments. Kilshannig moved 0-13 to 0-10 in front by the 43rd minute before Kilara got back on terms at 0-13 each by the 48th minute courtesy of Cormac Donnellan, Jamie Sheehan and Eoin Carey.
In a gripping finish both teams sensed victory in this round robin championship format. Kilshannig upped their efforts once again with Conor Murphy, Jack Kearney, Barry O’Shea, Eanna O’Hanlon, Bill Curtin, Kevin O’Flynn, Brian Guerin, Dermot Twomey and Kieran Twomey showing great leadership in the last ten minutes.
Kevin O’Flynn moved them in front again with a free before two well taken scores by Dermot and Kieran Twomey opened up a three point cushion at a crucial stage of the game.
Kilara stayed in touch when Eoin Carey pointed a free in the 55th minute. Try as they might they were unable to reduce the deficit any further with Kilshannig striking for the goal in the 58th minute that sealed an opening round victory when good work by Dermot Twomey set up the inrushing Eanna O’Hanlon who billowed the net as they ran out deserving winners.
KILSHANNIG: J Lyons, D Taylor, B Curtin, J Murphy, B O’Shea, B Guerin, C Murphy, J Kearney, C O’Shea, K Twomey 0-5 (0-2f) E O’Hanlon 1-3, K O’Flynn 0-6 (0-2f) C McMahon 0-2, D Twomey 0-1, S Lyons Sub: M Clogan for S Lyons
KILARA: B Casey, D O’Regan, O Hickey, J Casey, M Gowen, E McGrath, J Tobin-Allen, J Saich, S Hegarty, J Sheehan 0-3, E Carey 0-7 (0-3f) P Hynes, P.J, Aherne, C Donnellan 0-4, J McCarthy Sub: A Sheehan for P.J Aherne
REFEREE: Dave O’Farrell (Mitchelstown) Ballygiblin v Dromina, Ballygiblin 7pm
Div 3 HL
Harbour Rovers v Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels, Glanworth 7.30pm
Milford v Kilshannig, Milford 7.30pm
Under 21 B HC
Ballycastle Gaels v St. Dominic’s Shanballymore 7.30pm
SUNDAY JULY 8
Hibernian Hotel JAHC Quarter final
Shanballymore v Fermoy, Glanworth 2.30pm Kilshannig v Ballyhooly, Killavullen 7pm
RESULTS
Buttevant 3-14 Killavullen 0-9
Hibernian Hotel JAHC
Harbour Rovers walkover from Killavullen
Under 21 A HC
Kilshannig 1-17 Kilworth 0-14
Under 21 B HC
Ballyhea 6-10 Doneraile 1-13
Cavanagh’s Fermoy Ford Leagues
Div 1 FL semi finals
Charleville 3-14 Mallow 1-9
Buttevant 1-15 Kilshannig 1-8
Div 1 HL
Dromina walkover from Mallow Shanballymore walkover from Doneraile,
Div 3 HL
Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels 1-15 Ballygiblin 2-11
Div 3 HL
Harbour Rovers walkover from Ballyhooly Milford 7-18 Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels 4-15