Daniel Hand impresses as Kilcormac-Killoughey make it two wins from two

Not what you’d call a classic but Kilcormac-Killoughey won’t care as they made it two wins from two in the Senior B Hurling Championship. Despite a late push from Clara, Mark Leonard’s men held on to claim a good win to keep their hopes of winning this years championship alive.

Molloy Environmental Systems Senior “B” Hurling Championship

Kilcormac-Killoughey 2-14
Clara 1-16

An even first half, was marked by some decent scores from both sides with each side ending the game with just 14 men each, and KK holding on to claim a clutch win. 
A goal from Daniel Hand was the difference maker in the end on a day when the match wasn’t off the highest standard over the course of the 60 minutes. 
It was a day when the likes or Marcas Dalton, Daniel Hand, Josh Fleming and Karl Guinan all had massive says on how the game turned out.    
The game started with good intensity and speed to it and both sides wasted little time in getting on the scoresheet, as James Kilmartin opened the scoring for KK, before Conor Egan sent over Clara’s opening score. 
Moments later the game's first goal from Dan Currams after he caught a high ball and sent the ball past keeper Marius Stones to give them a three point lead after four minutes. 
Clara responded well and turned the ball in from Stephen Weir after a scrap inside the 6-yard line and the sides were level after the opening 10 minutes. 
The next few minutes that followed saw the game become more static as both sides were struggling to create many clear cut chances, before a fine score from Josh Fleming, before two Daniel Hand points from a free and from play saw KK in front by one after 20 minutes on the clock. 
Clara started finding their groove and picked up three of the next four scores with thanks to Stephen Weir, Marcas Dalton and Edward Cullen all finding the target from play, a Daniel Hand free had the scores at 1-7 to 1-6 after 25 minutes. 
Kilcormac-Killoughey ended the half the strongest with three unanswered points, the two Hand’s Daniel and Dylan combining to give the KK men a one point lead going into the break. 
The opening five minutes of the half saw the two sides exchange scores as Sean Buckley and Josh Fleming sent over the half’s opening two points, before two Fleming frees gave Clara the lead with 20 minutes of the game left. 
Kilcormac-Killoughey were starting to struggle as Clara started gaining momentum with two scores on the bounce  thanks to a free from Fleming followed by Marcas Dalton’s getting his third point of the afternoon. However, the game changed when Daniel Hand battled hard and shrugged off the tackle from the Clara defence before pulling on the ground and finding the bottom corner of the net to give KK a one point advantage once again. 
He further added to his impressive display by winning a free through pure hard work and sending over a free from a tricky angle.  Josh Fleming scored a fantastic point moments after to reduce the gap to just one point before Hand was once again on Hand to make it a two point game going into the final 10 minutes. 
The game took a turn and the heat started to turn up as both sides were reduced to 14 men each,  with Marcas Dalton and Dylan Hand both receiving their marching orders due to off the ball incidents, with a scrap between both sides occurring over the next few minutes. 
The game started to peter out as possession became hard to come by with both sides chasing the finishing line. Daniel Hand made it a three game after good work from Conor Quinn in winning a close range free, before Ed Cullen sent over his second point to reduce the gap to just two in stoppage time. 
A 64th minute free Josh Fleming reduced the gap to one with time almost up, but Clara couldn’t find a late equaliser and Kilcormac-Killoughey just about held on to claim a precious one point win. 
Full time Kilcormac-Killoughey 2-14 - 1-16 Clara. 
 
MATCH ANALYSIS
 
MAN OF THE MATCH
 
Daniel Hand (Kilcormac-Killoughey): When Kilcormac-Killoughey needed a winner, Daniel Hand stepped up massively, as he landed a crucial 46th minute goal to turn the game on its head. His free taking, work rate and shooting from distance was really good and a tally of 1-7 counts for a good days work.
 
THE SCORERS
 
Clara: Josh Fleming 0-9 (6 frees); Stephen Weir 1-1; Marcas Dalton 0-3; Ed Cullen 0-2; Conor Egan 0-1
Kilcormac-Killoughey: Daniel Hand 1-7 (5 frees), Dylan Hand 0-4 (2frees); Dan Currams 1-0; James Kilmartin, Sean Buckley and Karl Guinan 0-1 each.
 
THE TEAMS
 
Clara: Marius Stones, Conor Taylor, John Ledwith, Callum Dunne, Barry Egan, Ciaran I’m Doyle, Lorcan Hiney, Conor Egan, Marcas Dalton, Patrick Phelan, Ed Cullen, Stephen Weir, Josh Fleming, Cathal O’Meara, Colm Doyle. Subs: Brendan Buckley for Stephen Weir (25m) – . 
 
Kilcormac-Killoughey: Shane Mulrooney, Shane Melia, James Mahon, Charlie Bracken, Cathal Kilmartin, Karl Guinan, Ter Guinan, Alan Spain , Dylan Murray, James Kilmartin, Dan Currams, Dylan Hand, Leigh Kavanagh, Sean Buckley, Daniel Hand. Subs: Danny Spain for James Kilmartin (inj) (37), Conor Quinn for Sean Buckley (49m),  - 
 
Referee – Shane Guinan .
 
REFEREE WATCH
 
Shane Guinan refereed the game very well. Controlled it professionally and allowed the game to flow without any major decisions going against either side. The sending offs were the right decision and he could easily have sent off more. 
 
MOMENT OF THE MATCH:
 
Daniel Hand’s 46th minute goal was the turning point of the game. With Clara building up a two point advantage and looking to kick on, the goal from Hand gave Kilcormac-Killoughey new life and hope to kick on and get the win. 
 
VENUE WATCH: 
 
Glenisk O’Connor Park was in good knick for this encounter despite some drizzly rain throughout. Great venue for hosting matches the last few days and the work going on to keep it like this has to applauded.   
 
WHAT'S NEXT:
 
Kilcormac-Killoughey face Shamrocks in round 3, while Clara will take on Birr. 

STATISTICS
 
Wides: Clara 6 – 3 in the first half, 3 in the second half 
 
Kilcormac-Killoughey 12 – 7 in the first half, 5 in the second half 
 
Yellow cards: Clara - (2) Ciaran Doyle, Conor Egan
  Kilcormac-Killoughey - James Mahon  (1 ).
 
Black cards: 0.
 
Red cards: Clara – Marcas Dalton.
Kilcormac-Killoughey – Dylan Hand