Kilshannig Overcome Kilworth Challenge   08/06/2015

Kilshannig 2-21 Kilworth 2-12 (AET)

Kilshannig progressed to the knockout stages of the Junior A Hurling Championship following a thrilling extra time victory over Kilworth in their first round clash at Castletownroche last Friday evening. While Kilshannig were comfortable winners in the extra 20 minutes, it was a different case entirely in normal time with nothing between the sides. The opening half was a close encounter with the sides level on no less than six occasions with some well taken scores at either end. Darragh Mahoney's strong running at centre forward caused considerably problems for the Kilworth defence and he was ably assisted by Kevin O'Flynn, Dylan O'Callaghan and the excellent Diarmuid O'Sullivan who were all on target in the opening stages. The game was tied at 0-6 each by the 22nd minute before points from Trevor O'Regan and O'Flynn opened up a two point gap for the first time in the contest. Kilworth though responded once more to leave Kilshannig ahead by the minimum at the break, 0-9 to 0-8. 

O'Sullivan struck a superb long range point after the restart as Kilshannig added four of the next six points to move three in front, 0-13 to 0-10. However, they were dealt a double blow soon after. Firstly, Sean Beecher netted the opening goal of the evening as he cut through the Kilshannig defence to tie the game once more and just a minute later Kilshannig lost captain and centre back Liam Casey to a straight red for an off the ball incident. Kilworth looked to be in the ascendancy at this stage but Kilshannig reacted excellently. Tadhg Twomey, Brian Guerin and Darragh Mahoney, now at centre back, defended superbly against anything that Kilworth threw at them. Kilshannig hit the front soon after and three further points pushed them four ahead entering the final minutes, 0-17 to 1-10. However, Kilworth weren't done yet and gave themselves a lifeline with a second goal from close range three minutes from time. They had the momentum at this stage and after a sustained period of pressure midfielder Liam Whelan hit the equalising score in injury time to force extra time. 

Kilshannig though, back to 15 players, immediately set their stall out in the first ten minute period and a Cian Nagle goal from long distance along with a number of fine points move them into a commanding five point interval lead, 1-20 to 2-12. Kilworth had the last point of the half but that proved their only score of extra time as the Kilshannig defence withstood the Kilworth attacks. Driven on by Dylan O'Callaghan and substitute Colin Twomey, Kilshannig closed out the game well and a second goal from Kevin O'Flynn ensured their passage to the next round. 

Scorers for Kilshannig: K O'Flynn 1-4, D O'Sullivan 0-6, C Nagle 1-2, T O'Regan 0-5 (0-4 frees), D O'Callaghan 0-3, D Murphy 0-1.

Kilshannig: M Twomey; C Casey, T Twomey, J Cronin; B Guerin, L Casey, I Twomey; C Murphy, D Murphy; D O'Sullivan, D Mahoney, K O'Flynn; C Nagle, T O'Regan, D O'Callaghan.

Subs: M Sheehan for C Casey (40), C Twomey for K O'Flynn (57), R O'Mahony (15th man in extra time), D Clogan for D Murphy (ET), C Casey for I Twomey (70, inj.), K O'Flynn for D O'Sullivan (77). 





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Dylan O'Callaghan
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