Kilcormac-Killoughey senior Bs keep the bandwagon rolling

Holders Kilcormac-Killoughey secured their place in the semi-finals of the Senior B Hurling Championship as they came through a stern test against Clara on Saturday on a scoreline of 1-26 to 1-19, who now remain on two points from three games and still with work to do in order to secure their own spot in the final four and avoid a relegation final. 

Molloy Environmental Systems Senior B Hurling Championship Round 3

Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-26

Clara 1-19

The opening five minutes saw Clara start the stronger as they led 1-3 0-3 courtesy of Cathal O’Meara batting his effort into the net from close range to add to the three points from Colm Doyle, Conor Doyle and a Cormac Delaney free. Peter Geraghty, Shane Guinan and Mark Mulrooney were the early scorers for Kilcormac-Killoughey. 

Killian Leonard made it a two point game with an excellent point from out the sideline, before Colm Doyle added a second score and they soon made it a four point game courtesy of a Cormac Delaney 65 and a nicely worked score courtesy of Marcas Dalton. 

Lochlann Kavanagh soon made it a two point game with a 30 second brace, with Cormac Delaney responding with a series of frees from 65 yards out to restore a four point advantage.

Clara were holding their own at the back and able to win the ball back resulting in them keeping a hold of possession, but KK were keeping themselves in the contest with three scores on the bounce from Peter Geraghty and a double from Alex Kavanagh. 

KK finally got the game level on 23 minutes as Alex Kavanagh got on the end of a loose ball before releasing the ball to his brother Lochlann who found the net despite Marius Stones’ best efforts to keep it out. And shortly they were in front thanks to a Conor Quinn free with five minutes till the half time break. Cormac Delaney made it a tied game soon enough in an end to end encounter.  

Alex Kavanagh was working hard as he set up Peter Geraghty for his third point of the half, and KK were ending the half the better side as Conor Quinn added on two more frees both from tricky angles to leave it at a goal in the difference, leaving Clara behind at half time when they could have so easily have been in command. 

Half time Clara 1-11 - 1-14 Kilcormac-Killoughey. 

Despite getting the opening score of the second half through Marcas Dalton, KK were in control as they responded with three well taken frees on the bounce from Conor Quinn, but Clara didn’t panic and had it back to a two point game with 42 minutes played thanks to a scintillating effort from Cormac Delaney before he added to his already big tally with a free, but Conor Quinn landed a free from just outside the 70 yard mark to make it a three point game. 

Although they held the lead with 15 minutes to go, KK weren’t home and hosed just yet and uncharacteristically started spurning some chances wide, allowing Clara to remain in it as Cormac Delaney tapped over another placed ball and it was firmly in the balance. 

Cormac Delaney and Lochlann Kavanagh exchanged placed balls, before substitute Dan Currams made it a two point game again and Kavanagh duly obliged to take his chance in front of goals to extend their lead to three with five minutes remaining. Three remarkable scores followed as Marcas Dalton brought the game back before Peter Geraghty sent over two excellent points off his left and right and make it a four point game and looking like KK might just hold out. 

And they did as the two Kavanagh’s tagged on two more points alongside Shane Guinan to seal a third win for Mark Leonard’s side and qualify for the semi-finals. 

Full time Clara 1-19 - 1-26 Kilcormac-Killoughey. 

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Peter Geraghty (Kilcormac-Killoughey): From Clara, Cormac Delaney was superb from the start, Marcas Dalton and Colm Doyle each contributed massively, with Barry Egan settled at centre back and on plenty of ball particularly in the first half. 

Plenty of good showings from the KK men also. Lochlann Kavanagh once again showed his qualities, his brother Alex was clinical when giving opportunities, Conor Quinn was pinpoint accurate from frees and Karl Guinan and James Geraghty had solid outings.

Peter Geraghty was the stand out performer as he secured 0-5 all from play and just his overall presence was outstanding. 

THE SCORERS

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Lochlann Kavanagh 1-5 (2frees), Conor Quinn 0-8 (8frees),Peter Geraghty 0-5, Alex Kavanagh 0-3, Shane Guinan 0-2, Mark Mulrooney, Killian Leonard and Dan Currams 0-1 each. 

Clara: Cormac Delaney 0-13 (10frees, 1 65), Marcas Dalton 0-3 , Cathal O’Meara 1-0, Colm Doyle 0-2, Conor Doyle 0-1. 

THE TEAMS

KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY: Shane Mulrooney; Shane Melia; Charlie Bracken; Alan Spain; Cathal Kilmartin; Karl Guinan; James Geraghty; Killian Leonard; Conor Quinn; Shane Guinan; JK Kilmartin; Peter Geraghty; Alex Kavanagh; Mark Mulrooney; Lochlann Kavanagh. Subs - Dan Currams for Mulrooney (49m); Harry Sweeney for Geraghty (52m); Richard Bracken for Bracken (58, Blood Sub). 

CLARA: Marius Stones; Christian McKeon; John Ledwith; Myles Handy; Ciaran Doyle; Barry Egan; Lorcan Hiney; Marcus Dalton; Conor Egan; Conor Doyle; Colm Doyle; Cormac Delaney; Patrick Phelan Jnr; Ross Brady; Cathal O’Meara. Subs - Willie Fleming for Brady (HT); Conor Dolan for Phelan (43m).

Referee - (Declan Cooke)

REFEREE WATCH

Declan Cooke refereed the game well and got his calls right throughout. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Peter Geraghty’s brace of scores coming towards the game's conclusion were expertly taken and pushed his side's lead out and they were able to kick on to claim a vital win from that position. 

VENUE WATCH

Banagher held up well on Saturday afternoon and St Rynagh's had plenty of stewards on display, while the pitch was also in good condition.

WHAT'S NEXT

Kilcormac Killoughey face Carrig & Riverstown in round 4 while Clara take on Clodiagh Gaels. 

STATISTICS

Wides: Clara – 5  (  2 in first half, 3  in 2nd half); Kilcormac-Killoughey – 11   ( 6 in first half, 5 in 2nd half).

Yellow cards: Clara- (1) Cormac Delaney; Kilcormac-Killoughey – (2) Shane Melia and James Kilmartin

Black cards: 0.

Red cards: 0.