DUHALLOW JUNIOR A HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL
Razor sharp Kilbrin crush Banteer to reach hurling final
Kilbrin 1-23 Banteer 0-10
Thursday September 02 2010
KILBRIN disposed the challenge of Banteer with the minimum of fuss in the second semi-final to the EPS Bison Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship played in Kanturk last Sunday. The stark truth was that Kilbrin emerged far superior and the scoring summaries offered ample evidence of the gulf between the sides.
Banteer were competitive for the opening stages but the remainder belonged to Kilbrin whose slicker and more direct game reaped a harvest.
A close affair looked on the cards early on, a pair of Thomas O'Reilly points to Kilbrin sandwiched pointed frees to Banteer's David McAulliffe. Matters flattered to deceive as the game took a definite swing to Kilbrin following an 8th min. goal, Patrick Egan and Daniel O'Sullivan involved for Damien Crowley to net.
That strike allowed a breeze assisted Kilbrin hold the impetus, the basis for their growing dominance based on the assertive play of Tomás O'Riordan and William Egan in defence with Neilus O'Reilly and Patrick Egan holding the upperhand at midfield.
Upfront, Thomas O'Reilly, Liam Daly, Crowley and Noel O'Callaghan stretched the Banteer rearguard on creating a decisive impact. Indeed a delightful sequel of points from play confirmed Kilbrin's sharpness.
Banteer passed up on a number of scoring opportunities and apart from one effort from Denis Roche off play, they relied on the conversion of placed balls from McAulliffe and Brendan Withers to remain in contention.
However Kilbrin consolidated their position and neatly taken points helped secure a 1-13 to 0-6 advantage at the break. Though the sides traded points upon the resumption, Kilbrin wasted little time on easing into a position of authority from points to Kieran Sheahan and O'Callaghan.
Banteer attempted a rally yet apart from the positive input of Withers and the Kearney twins, Banteer seldom got any sustained fluidity or momentum into their game. Withers did post points from frees, the contrasting fare allowed Kilbrin offer a crispness which Banteer found difficult to fathom.
Without putting forward the intensity levels of the opening half, Kilbrin remained in control, centre back William Egan pumping huge deliveries into the opposing half for Daly, O'Callaghan and Kieran Sheahan to convert with ease. Kilbrin saw it comfortably to the finish to set up a date against defending holders Meelin in the decider.
KILBRIN: P O'Callaghan, C Carroll, T O'Riordan, N Cronin, T Brennan, W Egan, M O'Riordan, P Egan, N O'Reilly 0-1, D O'Sullivan, T O'Reilly 0-4, K Sheahan 0-3, D Crowley 1-2, N O'Callaghan 0-3, L Daly 0-10. Subs. D Sheahan for N O'Reilly, P Aherne for N O'Callaghan.
BANTEER: K Roche, J Twohig, S Twomey, C Mannix, M Kearney, P Buckley, B O'Keeffe, D Mannix, B Withers 0-4, D Murphy, K Tarrant, D Kearney, S Mannix, D McAulliffe 0-4, D Roche 0-2. Subs. K O'Driscoll for Buckley.
REFEREE: S Stokes (Tullylease)
