Wasteful Two Mile House still stroll past Kilcullen
The 'House came out on top 1-8 to 0-7 in a clumsy Group D opener over the weekend
Two Mile House 1-8
Kilcullen 0-7
Despite giving their opposition every opportunity, Two Mile House came out victorious over Kilcullen in Group D. The House put several free-kicks wide throughout, but were not punished at the other end by a meek Kilcullen.
It is also fair to say that onlookers from Suncroft and Caragh will have been encouraged too.
The Rags got this game’s opening score just a minute into proceedings with a superb point from Dan Coughlin.
That was matched a minute later by one of the five changes to the Two Mile House starting lineup, Adam Conneely.
Another man listed on the bench set up the next too when Brian Collins found Jack Collins, who popped over from close-range.
Jack Collins nearly sent his side much further clear 10 minutes in when he hit the base of the post from a rebound.
Two Mile House would eventually double their lead not long after when Declan Kirwan won a high and spun sharply to score.
Kilcullen would show flashes of what they are capable of with an excellent team move in the 14th minute that finished with a fine effort from Jamie Buckley.
Didier Cordonnier had a tough time on set-pieces in this game, but knocked over a superb 45’ to put his side 0-4 to 0-2 ahead in the 16th minute.
Despite Kilcullen levelling through Thomas Hickey and first Jamie Buckley, Two Mile House carried a two-point lead into half-time with scores from Didier Cordonnier and Brian Collins late on. The House led 0-6 to 0-4 at the break.
That lead would be extended immediately after the restart with a point from Didier Cordonnier.
There was not another score in this game for 20 minutes until Kilcullen got back to within two through Ciaran O’Brien. The Rags corner-forward was being pulled and dragged, but managed to his shot away and over the bar.
Two Mile House restored their three-point lead in the 51st minute through Adam Conneely before doubling it two minutes later.
Andy May ventured forward from wing-back for the leading side and there was seemingly no glove laid on any man in yellow until the ball was in the net. May’s effort at goal took one, if not two, deflections before hitting the net with the diversions leaving Cormac Barker stranded.
It was hard to see a way back for Kilcullen, who were six points down and had only scored five to that point. The assumption at the time proved to be true as The Rags failed to mount any meaningful challenge to Two Mile House’s lead.
Kilcullen did close the gap with points from Thomas Hickey and Jamie Buckley, but there was little drama to be had after The House raised a green flag.
Scorers: Two Mile House, Didier Cordonnier 0-3 (0-1 frees 0-1 45'), Andy May 1-0, Adam Conneely 0-2, Declan Kirwan 0-1, Jack Collins 0-1, Brian Collins 0-1.
Kilcullen, Jamie Buckley 0-3 (0-2 frees), Thomas Hickey 0-2, Dan Coughlin 0-1, Ciaran O'Brien 0-1.
TWO MILE HOUSE: David Craddock; Will Purcell, Andy Cregg, PJ Cashman; Andy , May, Peter Kelly, William Burke; Jack Collins, Tom Hennebry; Adam Conneelly, Didier Cordonnier, Liam Coleman; Declan Kirwan, Mark Sherry, Brian Collins. Subs: Tom Coleman for Glenn Burke (Half-time), Jamie Gaire for Liam Coleman (48 minutes), Gavin Burke for Brian Collins (48 minutes), Michael McLoughlin for Adam Conneely (60 minutes).
KILCULLEN: Cormac Barker; Darragh Burke, Jack Dooley, Jack Redmond; Robbie Lee, Conor Bolton, Tim Carey; Ciaran Melinn, Cathal Brophy; Darragh Kelly, Jamie Buckley, Thomas Hickey; Ciaran O'Brien, Sean Geoghegan, Dan Coughlin. Subs: Sean Knight for Sean Geoghegan (34 minutes), Warren Kealy for Conor Bolton (50 minutes), Tom Maloney for Darragh Kelly (54 minutes).
Referee: Colm Kearney.