Minors Claim Championship Title
14/09/2015
Kilshannig 3-09 Kilara Ãg 2-11
Kilshannig were crowned Rebel Og North Minor B Hurling Champions in thrilling fashion following a single point victory over Kilara Ãg in Kildorrery on Sunday evening last. While Kilshannig led for most of the game, a strong second half performance from the Kilwoth/Araglin performance ensured a pulsating finish before a 64th minute free from captain Kevin O'Flynn ensured the honours went Kilshannig's way. Kilshannig held a 2-6 to 0-7 lead at the break and extended that advantage to eight within 30 seconds of the restart with O'Flynn netting his second goal of the night. However, Kilshannig were unable to build on this as they failed to add to their tally, as Kilara Ãg came storming into the game. Cormac Donnellan and Jamie Kenneally were key figures and inspired by a number of excellent points and a superb Kenneally goal they narrowed the margin to two by the 42nd minute, 3-6 to 1-10. Kilara Ãg remained in the ascendancy but missed several chances to close the gap further. Kilshannig were also guilty in front of the posts but after a brief stalemate, they eventually broke the deadlock with two excellent points from Diarmuid O'Sullivan moving his side four ahead entering the closing stages of normal time. However, it wasn't over yet though and in a dramatic finish Kilara Ãg struck for a second goal before Donnellan tied the sides with a superb free three minutes into injury time. A draw looked likely at this stage but Kilshannig were offered a final chance and Kevin O'Flynn duly provided the match winning score.
Kilshannig had, in fact, started superbly with O'Flynn and Diarmuid O'Sullivan netting in the opening 10 minutes thanks to excellent work from Jack Twomey. Kilshannig were on top in several sectors with Joseph Cronin, Brian Guerin and Conor Murphy impressive while Kieran Twomey hit a couple of excellent long range scores to help his side move five in front of the interval. That was before the fightback came from Kilara Ãg in a terrific second half contest but Kilshannig showed great character and determination in the closing stages to hold out for a hard fought victory.
Scorers for Kilshannig: K O'Flynn 2-3 (0-3 frees), D O'Sullivan 1-3, K Twomey 0-2, J Twomey 0-1.
Kilshannig: J Murphy; M Ring, J Cronin, D O'Sullivan; P O'Callaghan, B Guerin, J Kearney; Conor Murphy, Cillian Murphy; A Wallace, J Twomey, K Twomey; T Brennan, D O'Sullivan, K O'Flynn.
Subs: K McMahon for T Brennan (50), C Sexton for A Wallace (58)
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