Kilshannig 3-06 St.Finbarr's 2-09

Both Kilshannig and St.Finbarr's kept their county championship hopes alive as they were unable to be separated in their County JAFC quarter final meeting at Watergrasshill on Sunday last. Heavy rain throughout made conditions difficult and while either side will have they felt they had chances to seal a semi final spot, there could be no complaints that a draw was a fair result.

Kilshannig couldn't have asked for a better start to the game as a high delivery from Frank McCarthy into the square in the opening minute was brilliantly punched to the net by Phelim O'Connell. St.Finbarr's though responded in emphatic fashion soon after as Jim O'Donoghue cut through the Kilshannig defence to set up Roy Leahy for their first goal of the afternoon. Scores were at a premium at either end but both sides added a further two points by the 20th minute, Tadhg O'Sullivan and Killian O'Hanlon on target for Kilshannig. Frank McCarthy continued to impress at midfield while Richie Ryan and O'Connell were a threat in attack but they failed to add to their tally as they missed a number of excellent opportunities. The Barr's were always dangerous when they ran at the Kilshannig defence and they managed three points in a row late in the first half to hold the initiative at the break, 1-5 to 1-2. 

Kilshannig, however, turned the game on its head immediately after the resumption with two goals in as many minutes. Tadhg O'Sullivan's attempt for a point rebounded off the crossbar but substitute Tony Kelly, with his first touch after his half time introduction, was on hand to fire to the net via a deflection off the Barr's keeper. From the next passage of play, the long ball worked once more for Kilshannig, this time O'Connell breaking the ball down for Kelly who finished superbly for his second and Kilshannig's third to push them 3-2 to 1-5 ahead. While the Barr's responded well and applied pressure in attack as they searched for scores, Kilshannig through Conor Casey, Dylan O'Callaghan and the outstanding Roddy O'Mahony held firm in defence on several occasions. The Barr's managed to narrow the deficit but points from Eoin O'Sullivan and O'Callaghan kept Kilshannig two in front entering the final minutes. Disaster struck for Kilshannig though as a well worked move from the Barr's led to Paul Harte netting his side's second goal for what looked like the match winning score. Kilshannig weren't done yet though and following a foul on Kelly in front of goal, Killian O'Hanlon pointed the equalising free deep in injury time to ensure a second day out. 

Scorers for Kilshannig: T Kelly 2-0, P O'Connell 1-0, K O'Hanlon 0-3 frees, T O'Sullivan, E O'Sullivan, D O'Callaghan 0-1 each.

Kilshannig: C O'Dea; I Twomey, R O'Mahony, C Casey; L Casey, R McSherry, T Twomey; K O'Hanlon, F McCarthy; D O'Callaghan, R Ryan, T O'Sullivan; D Murphy, D Mahoney, P O'Connell.

Subs: T Kelly for L Casey, E O'Sullivan for T O'Sullivan, P Cronin for P O'Connell (inj.)