Powerful Kilworth retain their U-16 'B' crown
NORTH CORK U-16 'B' HURLING C'SHIP FINAL
KILWORTH retained the Under 16 BHC title at Castletownroche on Thursday evening last when a strong finish in the last quarter saw them see off a gallant Miceal MacCarthaighs in this years decider.
Whilst Kilworth were the better side all through the game was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests with just two points between the teams early in the second half. However, Kilworth fonnd scores that bit easier to come by from here and helped by well taken goals by Michael Wade and Eoin Condon they emerged deserving victors in the end.
The opening stages were close enough and after 20 minutes they were evenly poised at 0-3 apiece. Kilworth were to finish the half well and edged in front when Brian Sheehan set up James McCarthy for a point before Eoin Condon ( 2) and Michael Wade with late scores gave the winners an interval lead of 0-7 to 0-4.
On the changeover Buttevant were to come thundering into the tie with Calum Cole, Ian Barry, Luke Ring, Ciaran Jones, Seamus Madigan and Brian O'Shaughnessy to the fore. Michael Wade and Luke Ring traded an early point before the Buttevant side missed the games first goal scoring opportunity when the Kilworth keeper Conor O'Brien deflected Ciaran Jones's attempt at goal off the crossbar. Miceal MacCarthaigh were well on top at this stage and when Seamus Madigan scored a great point in the 42nd minute the lead was down to 0-8 to 0-6.
However, Kilworth shaded matters from here with Michael Dunne, Garry McCarthy, James McCarthy, Darragh Allen, Eoin Condon and Michael Wade all in splendid form and in the last quarter they were to hit a purple patch that saw them surge into a 213 to 0-7 lead at the end of normal time the goals coming by Michael Wade and Eoin Condon.
Miceal MacCarthaigh had a goal in injury time by Luke Ring but there was no denying Kilworth their title.
