Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-17 St Mullins 1-12
Kilcormac-Killoughey advanced to the semi-final of the AIB Leinster senior hurling championship with victory over St Mullins at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday.
In the early stages, the Offaly champions looked set for an easy passage where the visitors dominated, putting themselves in a strong position as they led 1-06 to 0-02 at the end of the opening quarter.
Points from Adam Screeney, Conor Mahon and Brecon Kavanagh helped them forge ahead while St Mullins, who had not played a competitive game for 13 weeks, were clearly struggling.
Ger Coady and Marty Kavanagh did find the posts for them but Daniel Hand pounced for a Kilcormac-Killoughey goal when St Mullins keeper, Kevin Kehoe, failed to clear.
The Carlow side finally got going and came up to the pace of what was required as points from Conor Kehoe, Kavanagh and James Doyle narrowed the deficit. At the break, Kilcormac-Killoughey still led 1-08 to 0-05.
A 38th minute goal from Doyle gave St Mullins hope. It was a typical goal from the Carlow inter-county player where he caught a high ball and cut through the Kilcormac-Killoughey defence. With space at a premium, he found the net with a stinging shot which flew in off the underside of the crossbar.
In reply, keeper, Conor Slevin raised white flags with two long distance frees. Adam Screeney also converted a brace. St Mullins never capitulated.
Doyle and centre-half back, Michael Walsh pointed. Kilcormac-Killoughey substitute, James Gorman’s, point put five between them as the game headed towards the closing stages. Five minutes of extra-time meant the visitors could never relax.
It wasn’t to be for St Mullins who came up against a visiting defence who never allowed their opponents the space or time to find another goal. The visiting Colin Spain’s point ended the scoring while St Mullins, after that disappointing opening fifteen minutes, will be left to wonder what might have been.
Kilcormac Killoughey: Conor Slevin (0-02(2f); Tom Spain, Oisin Mahon, James Mahon; Jordan Quinn, Enda Grogan (0-01), Brecon Kavanagh (0-01); Colin Spain (0-01), Damien Kilmartin (0-01); Leigh Kavanagh, Conor Mahon (0-02), James Screeney (0-03); Daniel Hand (1-00), Charles Mitchell (0-01), Adam Screeney (0-04(4f)).
Subs: Peter Geraghty for Hand (41), James Gorman (0-01) for J Screeney (54), Cathal Kiely for Kilmartin (54), Alex Kavanagh for A Screeney (57).
St Mullins: Kevin Kehoe; Paidi O’Shea, Paul Doyle, Paudie Kehoe; Ger Coady (0-01), Michael Walsh (0-01), Ciaran Harris; Conor Kehoe (0-01), Eamon O’Shea; Jack Kavanagh (0-01), James Doyle (1-04), Paddy Boland (0-01); Marty Kavanagh (0-03(2f)), John Doyle, Jason O’Neill.
Subs: John Doran for J Kavanagh (blood 18), Oisin Ryan for J Kavanagh (51), John Doran for Harris (54).
Referee: Padraig Dunne (Laois)
