Impressive second half sees Kildorrery through to U-21 ‘B’ hurling semi-final

Kildorrery 2-22 Kilara Óg 4-10

KILDORRERY advanced to the Red FM sponsored Under-21 BHC semi-final when an impressive second half display saw them defeat Kilara Óg by a six point margin at Ballygiblin on Tuesday evening.

In a high scoring contest the winners were quick into the action and helped by some well taken points by key players Cathal Harrington and Dylan Kent they raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the seventh minute.

Kilara Óg were back on parity soon after when John Tobin-Allen finished to the net from close range.

However, Kildorrery continued to do well and three points in quick succession by David Hunter, Dylan Kent and Cathal Harrington moved them 0-7 to 1-1 in front by the end of the first quarter.

For the rest of the half Kilara Óg seized the initiative with Eoin Carey, Jeremy Saich, Michael Sheehan, Diarmuid Allen and Jamie Sheehan thundering into the game. Jamie Sheehan set up Leo Coffey for their second goal as they moved 2-4 to 0-7 clear by the 20th minute.

Cathal Harrington responded with a free for Kildorrery but it was two more long range points by the impressive Eoin Carey that moved the Kilworth/ Araglin combination 2-6 to 0-8 in front as the half time whistle approached.

In injury time Kildorrery pulled a point back when James Keating pointed a free and it left three points between the teams at the interval.

On the changeover Kildorrery were dealt a blow when they were forced to plan ahead without key player James Keating due to injury. Weather conditions also deteriorated with the wind picking up considerably.

Kildorrery had the aid of the elements and were back on terms at 3-6 to 0-12 before Cathal Harrington scored a great goal in the 37th minute after receiving a good pass from Paddy Pigott.

However, their lead was short lived with Kilara Óg striking for two goals in as many minutes by the 42nd minute courtesy of Leo Coffey as they surged ahead 4-7 to 1-13.

Kilara Óg were unable to push on from here and instead it was Kildorrery that gained control in the last 18 minutes with David Hunter, Dylan Kent, Cathal Harrington, Paddy Pigott, John Hunter, P.J Keating and Kevin Noonan in splendid form.

Over the next couple of minutes Dylan Kent and Jamie Sheehan swapped a point before Cathal Harrington with a free in the 47th minute closed the margin to 4-8 to 1-15. In Kildorrery’s next attack they edged in front when David Hunter and Kevin Noonan combined very well to set up Cathal Harrington for a well taken goal.

The winners never looked back from here and went on a scoring spree in the last ten minutes with points by Cathal Harrington (4) Dylan Kent (2) and David Hunter as they emerged victors in the end by a six point margin.

KILDORRERY : I Butler, T Watson, M Walsh-O’Grady, R Hurley, A Crowley, J Keating 0-1, J Hunter, K Noonan, P.J Keating, D Hunter 0-2, Paddy Pigott 0-1, D Kent 0-7 (2f, 1 ‘65’), S Watson, C Harrington 2-11 (0-4f), K Hurley. Subs: S Cunningham for S Watson, Pierce Pigott for J Keating (inj), T O’Sullivan for T Watson.

KILARA ÓG : B Casey, B Carey, O Hickey 0-1f, P.J Aherne, M Gowen, J Saich, P Hynes, S Hegarty, E Carey 0-7 (6f), D Allen, J Tobin-Allen 1-0, J Kearney, M Sheehan 0-1, J Sheehan 0-1, L Coffey 3-0.

REFEREE: Dave O’Farrell (Mitchelstown)