First half goals sets Mallow on their way to victory

A strong first half showing by Mallow paved the way to overcome Kilshannig when they clashed in an all-North Cork McCarthy contest at Mallow on Sunday.

The hosts had the aid of the strong breeze in the opening half and were quick into the action with Darragh Moynihan, Seán McDonnell, Seán Hayes, Ryan Harkin, Jack Dillon and Daniel O’Sullivan featuring strongly.

The early exchanges saw Sean Hayes, Ryan Harkin and Colm O’Shea have points for their respective sides before Mallow struck for the first of their two goals in the sixth minute when Seán Hayes and Ryan Harkin linked up well to set up the inrushing Mark Kelleher who finished to the net from close range.

Three minutes later Mallow had their second goal when a good movement involving Bill Myers and Daniel O’Sullivan picked out Seán Hayes, his initial effort at goal was blocked down with Darragh Moynihan picking up possession from the rebound to finish to the net as they moved 2-2 to 0-2 in front.

Mallow continued to create most of the running and some well worked movement saw Jack Doyle (two), Ryan Harkin (two), Mark Tobin and Seán McDonnell tag on some fine points and they should have had a third goal when the Kilshannig keeper Gavin Creedon made an excellent save to deny Seán Hayes.

Kilshannig with limited possession added two more points before the interval by Dermot Twomey and Ben Creedon as they trailed at the short whistle by 2-8 to 0-4.

On the restart Kilshannig came out a much improved side with Roddy O’Mahony and Colm O’Shea very effective. Diarmuid O’Sullivan and James O’Hanlon reeled off two points in as many minutes.

During the third quarter the Glantane side were denied two goal scoring opportunities. A pin-point pass by Dermot Twomey set up Colm O’Shea who was denied by a wonderful save by the Mallow keeper Kevin Doyle at the expense of a ‘45.

The other effort from Alan O’Connell was cleared off the line by Mallow’s Paul Lyons. The heavy downpour throughout the second half meant scores were at a premium.

Mallow’s only score coming from Ronan O’Sullivan in the 35th minute, while Seán O’Connell and Roddy O’Mahony had late points for Kilshannig, but it was Mallow with a convincing first half performance that held out to claim the points at stake.