Kilcormac-Killoughey continue to show red hot pace in comfortable dismissal of Seir Kieran

ON a routine evening that unfolded almost exactly as anticipated, two early moments of breathtaking quality showed all that is so good about this Kilcormac-Killoughey team as they coasted to an easy Senior Hurling Championship win over Seir Kieran in Kinnitty on Friday evening.

Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 3

Kilcormac-Killoughey 3-26

Seir Kieran 0-17

There might have been more memorable moments, more stunning feats of brilliance but those two stuck in my memory: the first was a stunning kill of the ball in full flight with his hurl by Adam Screeney, a simple pass to the supporting Ter Guinan and a deliciously floated point in the 6^th minute. The second came a minute later from Charlie Mitchell when he audaciously flicked the ball over the head of a Seir Kieran defender, turned down the goal opportunity and tapped the ball over the bar

Mitchell's point put the red hot title favourites 1-4 to 0-3 ahead and even though Seir Kieran were battling for everything, playing with the honesty we knew they would bring to the table, this result was only going one way. .

Mitchell had scored the first goal in the third minute, catching a Cillian Kiely delivery and blasting to the net. Seir Kieran continued to work hard for everything, to make life as difficult as they could. Forwards Adrian Hynes and Joe Bergin asked some questions of the winning defence with their physicality and Seir Kieran did their best to rattle their opponents.

They were 1-6 to 0-5 behind after 11 minutes but a run of four points on the trot between the 12^th and 15^th minutes opened a 1-10 to 0-5 gap and from here on, the only issue up for debate was the winning margin. Seir Kieran almost got in for an 18^th minute goal that would have kept them alive for a few minutes later, Joe Bergin over cooking his pass to Luke Carey who was just a few metres out from goal.

K-K had 1-15 on the board when Mitchell got their second goal in the 28^th minute, brilliantly plucking a long Enda Grogan clearance out of the sky and making no mistake from close range.

K-K led by 2-15 to 0-8 at the break and the fact that they had another gear in them if asked or if they wished to access it shows how superior they were.

Three quick fire points from the lively Daniel Hand, Damien Kilmartin and Adam Screeney brought the gap out to sixteen points in the second half. Adam Screeney added a superb 34^th minute goal after a great build up involving Damien Kilmartin and Conor Mahon, followed by points from Screeney and Cillian Kiely. That 3-20 to 0-10 lead took the sting out of K-K and to be fair to them, they almost visibly eased off, resisting the urge to really go for the jugular,

Seir Kieran got three in a row in their best spell of the second half but also hit four wides and while K-K responded with the next four, they more or less went through the motions in the closing quarter as their wide and error count crept higher – 13 of their 19 wides came in the second half and K-K did not seem that bothered about them.

The Clareen men got four of the last six points but it was a demoralising evening for them. They did their best and considering the winning margin that K-K put up against a title contender, St Rynagh's in their last game, the losers, who are in a valley period and working hard to improve, certainly had nothing to be ashamed off.

They came up against a truly exciting young team. The quality of some of K-K's play, their slick, quick passing, their skill, their work rate and pace their scores, just took the breath away. It is looking ominous for the others teams with designs on the Sean Robbins Cup and while knockout hurling will be the litmus test, the question many observers are beginning to ask is not who can beat Kilcormac-Killoughey but who can give them a run for their money.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Damien Kilmartin (Kilcormac-Killoughey): While Seir Kieran are not on anyone's short list of contenders, there was so much to admire about the way Kilcormac-Killoughey played. Damien Kilmartin led by example. Him and Conor Slevin are K-K's two elder statesmen and Kilmartin showed his value to the team with a terrific shift at midfield.

Remarkably fit and clearly determined to get every last ounce out of his career, he led by example. Kilmartin did the simple thing so well, the hooks, blocks and flicks. He gave simple handpasses, scored himself and had a central role or a hand in so many K-K's scores.

Cillian Kiely and Adam Screeney were also contenders.

THE SCORERS

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Adam Screeney 1-10 (6f and 1 '65'), Charlie Mitchell 2-2, Cillian Kiely and Conor Mahon 0-3 each, Ter Guinan, Damien Kilmartin and Daniel Hand 0-2 each, Leigh Kavanagh and Enda Grogan 0-1 each.

Seir Kieran: Luke Carey 0-8 (7f and 1 '65'), Tom Dooley (1f), Joe Bergin, Darragh Guinan 0-2 each, Barry Kealy, Kevin Dunne, Peadar Murray 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY: Conor Slevin; Tom Spain, Oisin Mahon, James Mahon; Jordan Quinn, Cillian Kiely, Enda Grogan; Damien Kilmartin, Brecon Kavanagh; Ter Guinan, Conor Mahon, Leigh Kavanagh; Daniel Hand, Charlie Mitchell, Adam Screeney. Subs – Colin Spain for Leigh Kavanagh (45m).

SEIR KIERAN: Joseph Connors; Dermot Mooney, Pat Gilligan, Stephen Gilligan; Michael Gilligan, Conor Dooley, Barry Kealy; Kevin Dunne, Tom Dooley; Darragh Guinan, Sean Coughlan, Adrian Hynes; Luke Carey, Joe Bergin, Sean Dooley. Subs – John Coughlan for Sean Coughlan (37m), Peadar Murray for Hynes (48m), Eanna O'Neill for Michael Gilligan, inj. (54m).

Referee – Shane Guinan (Drumcullen).

REFEREE WATCH

Close to a flawless performance by Shane Guinan, who never put a foot wrong, got very few calls wrong and was in control the whole way.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

An early goal was one thing Seir Kieran wanted to avoid but Charlie Mitchell's first arrived in the third minute and gave K-K the start they sought.

VENUE WATCH

The Kinnitty stewards had to deal with a lot of cars and traffic but this was not reflected by the size of the comparatively small crowd. Kinnitty were excellent hosts and their pitch and facilities were of a high standard.

WHAT'S NEXT

Seir Kieran play St Rynagh's in round 5 while K-K have a bye.

STATISTICS

Wides: Kilcormac-Killoughey – 19 (6 in first half); Seir Kieran – 9 (4 in first half).

Yellow cards: Kilcormac-Killoughey – 0; Seir Kieran – 1 (Stephen Gilligan).

Red cards: 0.