Kilsheelan too strong for Loughmore in Tipperary Under 19 B football semi-final

Kilsheelan/Kilcash 4-16 Loughmore/Castleiney 0-7 

Kilsheelan/Kilcash reached the final of the County Under 19 B Football Championship in Fethard on Saturday last with a comprehensive victory over a Loughmore/Castleiney side who struggled to get a grip on the game for most of the hour.

Kilsheelan/Kilcash played a smart brand of football, moving the ball quickly from defence to attack and kicking some excellent scores, both from play and from frees.

Patrons who were expecting to see a competitive game were disappointed, as the game was virtually over at half time with a ten-point gap between the sides, with Kilsheelan leading by 1-10 to 0-3.

Loughmore started smartly and their best player, wing forward Philip O’ Connell, had a point on the board in the first couple of minutes. But once Kilsheelan Kilcash got a grip on the game it was mostly one way traffic.

Ru Kelly moved up from centrefield to finish a smart move that ended with a fine point for his side. Liam Freaney kicked a free from a difficult angle and the lively Eoin Barry, collecting possession from the kickout, sent a rocket past Thomas Larkin in the Loughmore goal.

Kilsheelan/Kilcash had a scare in the tenth minute when in a rare attack Philip O’ Connell brought the best out of Oisin O’Donoghue when he tipped his goal-bound shot over the bar.

At the midway part of the first half the score stood at Kilsheelan/Kilcash 1-8 Loughmore 0-2.

A succession of scores from the Kilsheelan forward line left a ten-point gap at half time, with the only reply from Loughmore as the half came to a close a point from Philip O’Connell from a free. The half time score read Kilsheelan/Kilcash 1-10 Loughmore 0-3.

Loughmore started the second half strongly and were intent on reducing the deficit and corner forward Richard Morris, coming in from a tight angle, scored a fine point.

However, once Kilsheelan found their feet again it was a repeat of the first half display. Liam Freaney sent over a fine point from a difficult angle and when Senan Butler got possession thirty yards out his speed left the Loughmore defence in his wake and he finished to the net in fine style.

When Loughmore put on a bit of pressure the Kilsheelan defence was equal to the task and when they turned over attacks the ball was moved swiftly downfield.

Wing back Lucas Shiel came forward to score a fine point from play and when a high ball was dropped into Mikey McGuire at full forward he promptly dispatched it over the bar.

Just as the game approached the midpoint of the second half Senan Butler struck again for his second goal, leaving a nine-point gap between the teams, 3-13 to 0-3.

Loughmore rallied somewhat and had points by Bill Ryan and Philip O’ Connell.

Kilsheelan/Kilcash began to empty the bench as the game to a close. Michael (Bonner) Bates came on and he was like a man on fire. He crashed a bullet-like shot off the crossbar and fired over a point shortly after. To round off the game, Senan Butler finished an excellent display with another goal to complete his hat trick.

Kilsheelan/Kilcash had stars throughout the field. Liam Freaney had some outstanding scores from play and from frees. Senan Butler’s speed and skill was a joy to watch while the workrate of Ru Kelly and Tommy O’Connor had a huge impact.

Loughmore will be hugely disappointed with this display. This was not their usual style of spirited and competitive play but with the strong club they have, they will still be a force to be reckoned with. Their outstanding player was Philip O’Connell at wing forward.

Kilsheelan/Kilcash: Oisin O’Donoghue, Jack Norris, Harry Roche Nagle, Billy O’Gorman, Lucas Shiel (0-1), Oisin Lavin, Aaron Costin (0-1), Ru Kelly (0-1), Mark Ryan, Liam Freaney (0-5), Tommy O’Connor (0-4), Senan Butler (3-0), Eoin Barry (1-2), Mikey McGuire (0-1), John Brunnock.

Substitutes: Michael (Bonner) Bates 0-1 for Mikey McGuire, Jack Landy for Liam Freaney, Ewan Rumble for Lucas Shiel.

Loughmore/Castleiney: Thomas Larkin, Paul McCormack, Jay Shorley, Colm Gleeson, Michael Ryan, Eoin O’Connell, Cathal Ryan, Bill Ryan (0-1), Paul McCahey, Daniel McCahey (0-1), Joseph Maher, Philip O’Connell (0-4), Joey Quinn, Aaron Hickey, Richard Morris (0-1).

Referee: Pat O’Mahony (Kiladangan).