Kilcormac-Killoughey on high alert as new possibilities open up

THERE was something very impressive about the way Kilcormac-Killoughey performed in Sunday's Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final win over Carlow's St Mullin's and it suggests that anything is possible for them this season.

They are coming into a time of year that doesn't suit many of their lighter, younger players but Kilcormac-Killoughey's development into a serious, relentless force is continuing.

Sunday's semi-final against Castletown Geoghegan is a treacherous one for them and they won't be looking one bit further than that but nothing would surprise with Kilcormac-Killoughey this year. It would be a massive disappointment but not a huge shock if the Westmeath champions end their ambitions in Mullingar but it would not be a big surprise if they annexed provincial and All-Ireland honours ahead of schedule.

Castletown Geoghegan's shock win over Kilkenny kingpins Thomastown has moved the goalposts in Leinster for Kilcormac-Killoughey. They would have been underdogs against Thomastown but will be favourites against Castletown Geoghegan, irrespective of their very impressive, convincing win.

The bookies have them at 4-11 favourites to win on Sunday with the home side at 5-2. K-K are now second favourites to win Leinster, at 13-8 with Dublin's Na Fianna 6-5. They are 9-1 to win the All-Ireland with Ballygunner, Loughrea, Slaughneil and Na Fianna all ahead of them but if K-K win Leinster, those odds will have shortened dramatically before the final whistle of the provincial final is fully sounded.

Their prospects are outside but their form is sufficiently good to suggest that they can dream of glory. All K-K can do is take it one game at a time but there is a window of opportunity there for them. At some stage, provincial and All-Ireland glory will come onto the table as a real goal for the Offaly champions but already, they have a lot of the basic ingredients in place.

You had to admire the way K-K performed in Sunday's win, even if it does come with a warning notice attached. The Carlow final was played over three months ago and that was way too long of a gap for St Mullin's. They paid a dear price early on, trailing by 1-8 to 0-2 after 21 minutes and the game was lost in that spell.

Things went against K-K, yet they found a way to win. They took to the field without two of their best players, Cillian Kiely and Ter Guinan. It looks like Guinan, a flying wing forward or wing back, will be out for some time with a hamstring injury but the sight of a fully togged out Kiely pucking around will have warmed the hearts of their supporters. Kiely broke a thumb in the Offaly semi-final and is still not right. He didn't feature on Sunday and if K-K were happy that he could stand up to physical hurling and pulling, they would have used him as they were never in a comfort zone once St Mullin's found their momentum.

It remains to be seen if Kiely can feature next Sunday. It is far from certain that he will but he is getting closer every week and his physical presence, drive and leadership would be a tremendous asset if they can get him back on the field.

The strength of their panel has been shown in recent weeks. The veteran Enda Grogan has slotted in superbly into defence and had a great game on Sunday while Jack Screeney, older brother of Adam, replaced Guinan on Sunday. Screeney had a super game, scoring three points, having a couple of assists and was very close to man of the match. Peter Geraghty showed his experience and strength when introduced during the second half while James Gorman got a crucial point - Cathal Kiely also came in late on and he is another player capable of excelling when hurling is at its rawest and most physical.

K-K's win on Sunday was significant as some of their brightest young stars weren't their main players. Adam Screeney had some wonderful moments but didn't score from play, Charlie Mitchell was in and out of the game and Brecon Kavanagh had his hands fuller than he is accustomed to. Yet other players stood up to be counted. Jordan Quinn gave a man of the match display at wing back, Jack Screeney was their main forward for a lot of the game and Daniel Hand's early goal and first half work was instrumental in them opening up what was a decisive gap.

It is a very good sign of a team that they have so many players who can lead the charge on a different days. Play making midfielder Colin Spain was also a man of the match contender on Sunday but the next day, it could be Oisin Mahon, Conor Mahon, not to mention anyone of their young proteges.

Castletown Geoghegan will test every bit of them. You don't beat the Kilkenny champions the way they did without being an excellent team. The days of anyone being off the pace at this grade of competition are well and truly gone and Castletown Geoghegan will relish taking on K-K. It is not far off a 50-50 game but at the same time K-K are justifiably favourites and they do have a great chance of making the provincial final.

Verdict – Kilcormac-Killoughey.