A
superb display of hurling by K/K’s centre half back Mark Hand was essentially
the difference between two evenly matched sides in the play-off game played
at Rath on Sunday morning last.
Kilcormac/Killoughey 0-12 ...... Ballyskenagh 0-10
A
superb display of hurling by K/K’s centre half back Mark Hand was essentially
the difference between two evenly matched sides in the play-off game played
at Rath on Sunday morning last.
Victory for K/K gives them a quarter-final meeting with Tullamore with Coolderry awaiting the winners in the semi-final. On the other sides of the draw Ballyskenagh must meet St Rynagh’s with All-Ireland Champions Birr awaiting the winners.
Hand’s performance for K/K was a joy to watch particularly in the second half when he completely controlled the half back line, catching several balls in the air, sweeping behind his wing backs and scoring two superb 65’ into the bargain. Ballyskenagh will know they could have won this game. They had the game’s two best goal scoring chances and held a three point lead mid-way through the second half.
The first half exchanges were evenly contested with the sides level on four occasions before Ballyskenagh went in leading by a second by a single point at the break 0-5 to 0-4. In that first half Ballyskenagh had a David Franks’ penalty saved in the 13th minute and Stephen Byrne brought off a tremendous save from Derek Middleton in the 29th minute.
On the resumption, ‘Skenagh seemed the team more likely to win, and by the three quarter stage had built up a three point lead 0-8 to 0-5. However, in the final quarter K/K out scored their rivals 0-7 to 0-2 for a narrow two point victory.
The
game’s opening score came in the 3rd minute when Colm Cassidy pointed a 45 metre
free for K/K. Tony Spain and Eoghan Franks were both off the mark for K/K and
‘Skenagh respectively, before Colm Cassidy was inexplicably off target from
a 30 metre free. The sides were level on 9 minutes when Aidan Franks took a
pass from Noel Murphy and pointed from 50 metres. Eoghan Franks then sent a
magnificent line ball straight between the posts on 12 minutes. A minute later
‘Skenagh were awarded a penalty. Noel Murphy’s delivery was gathered by John
Dooley, who was hauled to the ground by Niall Leavey and referee Padraig Freeman
had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. David Franks took the penalty but his
low shot was well saved by Henry Kilmartin on the goal line and the danger averted.
The sides were level on the quarter hour mark after Colm Cassidy took a pass from Joey Wynne and pointed. John Dooley edged ‘Skenagh back in front with a pointed free after Tadgh Maher was fouled. Tony Spain levelled matters before Eoghan Franks pointed his second line ball on 23 minutes.
Mark Hand’s pointed 65’ had the sides level for the fourth time on 27 minutes. Then came one of the turning points of the game. Noel Murphy set up Derek Middleton with a great goal scoring chance but his shot from 10 metres was superbly saved by Stephen Byrne in the K/K goal. The final score of the half fell to ‘Skenagh’s Brendan Murphy who pointed from 50 metres to give his side a slender 0-5 to 0-4 half time lead.
The sides were level inside 4 minutes of the restart when Paul Leonard pointed from 45 metres. Vinny Franks restored ‘Skenagh’s one point advantage on 35 minutes, before Colm Cassidy again failed to convert a close-in free, this time hitting a low shot from 40 metres.
Aidan and David Franks combined to extend ‘Skenagh’s advantage on 40 minutes. When Barry Keeshan sent over a great long range effort to put his side 0-8 to 0-5 ahead on 43 minutes it looked as though ‘Skenagh were beginning to pull away from their rivals. However, with Mark Hand superb at centre-back K/K gradually hauled themselves back into the game. Paul Leonard pointed on 44 minutes, Joey Wynne followed up with another a minute later and Hand’s converted 65’ on 46 minutes had the sides level.
‘Skenagh again edged in front on 50 minutes when John Dooley pointed a free after Noel Murphy was fouled. The sides were level for the 7th a final time in the game with eight minutes left to play, after Tony Spain sent over a good point. Colm Cassidy’s pointed free and one from play from Tony Spain left two between the sides with 3 minutes left on the clock. Eoghan Franks narrowed the gap to the minimum on 59 minutes and a draw looked a distinct possibility. However Ger Healion sealed victory for K/K with a well-taken point as the game entered injury time and booked K/K a quarter final meeting with Tullamore on a 0-12 to 0-10 scoreline.
Scorers:
K/K: Colm Cassidy 0-3 (0-2f), Tony Spain 0-3, Mark Hand 0-2 (65’), Paul Leonard
0-2, Joey Wynne 0-1, Ger Healion 0-1
Ballyskenagh: Eoghan Franks 0-3, John Dooley 0-2 (f), Barry Keeshan 0-1, David Franks 0-1, Aidan Franks 0-1, Brendan Murphy 0-1, Vinnie Franks 0-1
K/K: Stephen Byrne, Seamus Spain, Henry Kilmartin, Niall Leavey, Mark Hand,
John Flaherty, Kevin Rigney, Martin Murray, Colm Cassidy, Tony Spain, Mark
Leonard, Joey Wynne, Ger Healion, Paul Leonard
Sub: Paul Cummins for M Leonard (40 min), Alan Kenna for K Rigney (55min),
Mark Leonard for J Wynne (60min)
Ballyskenagh: Alan Franks, Alan Middleton, Mick O’Hara, Brendan Franks,
David Franks, Mark Kirwan, Barry Keeshan, Brendan Murphy, Aidan Franks, Eoghan
Franks, Noel Murphy, Tadgh Maher, Vinnie Franks, John Dooley, Derek Middleton
Subs: Kenny Franks for T Maher (45min), Bill Lalor for D Middleton (49min)
Ref: Padraig Freeman (Carrig & Riverstown).