Kildorrery take Junior C HC title

Kildorrery 1-14 Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels 0-9

KILDORRERY with a very good first half display proved too strong for Liscarroll/ Churchtown Gaels in the Shreelawn Oil Junior CHC final at Ballyhea on Saturday.

The opening stages saw both teams quick to settle with Jimmy Duggan, Tiernan Condon, Peter Crowley and Richie Hurley having points for their respective sides as they were level for the second time at 0-2 each by the fifth minute. For the remainder of the half Kildorrery with a good blend of youth and experience gained the upper-hand.

‘Man of the match’ Michael Lillis was a commanding figure at centre back while others to impress included Will Coffey, Tony Watson, Richie Hurley, Mattie Walsh-O’Grady, Tiernan Condon, Stephen Coughlan and Eamon O’Connor, The winners reeled off some well taken points inside the opening quarter by Tiernan Condon (2) Richie Hurley, David Hunter and Eamon O’Connor as they surged ahead 0-7 to 0-2.

Over the next couple of minutes Peter Crowley and Tiernan Condon swapped a point before Kildorrery struck for the only goal of the game in the 26th minute when Eamon O’Connor set up Mattie WalshO’Grady who netted as they increased their lead 1-8 to 0-3. Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels regrouped well before the interval with Jimmy Duggan and Diarmuid Fisher linking up well to set up Peter Crowley for a well taken point as they came within seven points at the break.

On the resumption Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels came out a much improved side as they took the game to their opponents from the offset. They close to a goal but an excellent save by the Kildorrery keeper Dave Roche denied Peter Crowley from a close in free.

Nevertheless a good spell by the Gaels saw them claw their way back into the tie with Peter Crowley very accurate from frees that helped close the margin to 1-11 to 0-9 by the 48th minute - the Kildorrery points by Eamon O’Connor, Richie Hurley and Mattie Walsh-O’Grady.

Try as they might Liscarroll/Churchtown were unable to close the deficit any further. Instead it was Kildorrery that finished in a very determined manner. In the 53rd minute David Hunter scored a fine point. Two minutes later a sideline by Richie Hurley set up Eamonn O’Connor who pointed. In the 59th minute Tiernan Condon with a free completed the scoring as they ran out comprehensive winners. After the game Barry Aherne Chairman of the Avondhu Board presented the cup to the winning captain Michael Lillis. It marked the final game within the Avondhu Board for the 2019 season.

KILDORRERY: D Roche, J Walsh, W Coffey, T Watson, A Crowley, M Lillis, F Daly, R Hurley 0-3 (1f), M Walsh-O’Grady 1-1, T Condon 0-5 (3f), S Coughlan, D Hunter 0-2, P Hartnett, E O’Connor 0-3, L O’Keeffe. Subs: L Kelly for P Hartnett, K Hurley for A Crowley, S Young for L O’Keeffe.

LISCARROLL/CHURCHTOWN GAELS: P Morrissey, L Campbell, P Egan, D Collins, J Kelly, L Barrett, T Jones, E Coleman, J Duggan 0-1, A Murphy, S Murphy, P Crowley 0-8 (7f), E Barrett, D Fisher, R Morrissey. Sub: B Quinn for A Murphy.

REFEREE: Dwaine Collins (Charleville)