Kilconieron prevail after extra-time thriller against Mullagh

It was a contest that neither side was willing to surrender, with the outcome remaining uncertain right until the final whistle. Kilconieron eventually moved a point clear during the closing stages of extra time, but Mullagh had one last opportunity to take the game to a penalty shootout. Conor Dolphin's late free, however, drifted narrowly wide and Kilconieron survived to secure a hard-earned victory.

The result sees Kilconieron make an immediate return to senior hurling, just 12 months after dropping out of the top tier of Galway hurling. Ollie Bergin's side will now prepare for a Connacht final against Mayo champions Tooreen on November 21.

The Premier Intermediate Hurling final featured the two most recent teams to drop out of the senior ranks. Their initial meeting ended in a 2-17 to 1-20 draw last Saturday, but the game was followed by controversy over the half-time score.

Mullagh took a 0-9 to 0-7 lead into the dressing rooms after a closely contested opening half. Their scoring was shared among six players, with Conor Dolphin contributing three points and Dean Finnerty adding two. Ronan Glennon, Sean Hardiman, Damien Monaghan and Liam Curley also registered scores as Mullagh enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges.

Kilconieron, meanwhile, struggled to find their rhythm and were kept in touch largely through the accuracy of Shane Caufield. He converted six first-half frees, while Jack Walsh provided their only score from play. Despite their difficulties, the deficit remained manageable at the interval.

Dolphin extended Mullagh's advantage to three points shortly after the restart, but Kilconieron gradually worked their way back into the contest. Galway U20 hurler Eoghan Mulleady and two more Caufield frees brought the gap down to a single point by the 39th minute.

The 2023 Senior B champions responded through Damien Monaghan and Finnerty to move three clear once again, leading 0-14 to 0-11 after 43 minutes. However, Kilconieron began to enjoy a greater share of possession and registered five of the next six points. Caufield converted twice, while Keith Burke landed a free inside his own half and Mulleady added another score to draw the sides level at 0-15 apiece on 56 minutes.

Finnerty briefly restored Mullagh's advantage, but the men in blue finally moved in front when Caufield converted a free and a 65 on 61 minutes. Gerry Spellman’s charges refused to let the lead slip away and Dolphin brought them level again after Davy Glennon was fouled and the sides headed for extra time.

The teams exchanged points through Dolphin and Daniel Keane during the early stages of extra time before Mullagh found the net. Dolphin drilled his shot low past Kilconieron goalkeeper Shane Murray on 66 minutes to put his side 1-18 to 0-18 ahead and leave them in a commanding position.

Sean Connaughton reduced the deficit before Dolphin replied to restore Mullagh's three-point advantage. Mulleady then produced an excellent score just before the interval to leave the 2020 Intermeidate county champions with a route back into the contest.

Kilconieron seized the initiative after the restart, registering four consecutive points through Caufield, Eamonn McGlynn, Sean Burke and Stephen Keane. The momentum had swung in their favour, but Mullagh continued to fight for a way back.

Ronan Glennon provided a timely response with an excellent solo run which resulted in a free for Dolphin to convert. Mullagh pushed forward in search of another equaliser and were given a final opportunity when Stephen Cahalan was fouled. However, Dolphin's effort drifted wide of the target and Kilconieron held their nerve to emerge victorious by the narrowest of margins.

Daniel Keane, Peter Martin, Ian McGlynn and Sean Burke produced solid displays for Bergin’s charges, while up front Eoghan Mulleady and Shane Caufieild were oustanding hitting 0-16 between them for the winners. Sean Hardiman, Ronan Glennon, Dean Finnerty, Davy Glennon and Conor Dolphin all stood out for Mullagh in a contest which could have went either way.

KILCONIERON: Shane Murray; Daniel Keane (0-1), Peter Martin; Alex Evans; Niall Martin, Oscar O’Gorman, Ultan McGlynn; Robert Burke (0-1), Ian McGlynn; Jack Walsh (0-1), Sean Burke (0-1), Keith Burke (0-1, 0-1f); Stephen Keane (0-1), Shane Caufield (0-13, 0-12 frees, 0-1 65), Eoghan Mulleady (0-3). SUBS: Sean Connaughton (0-1) for Walsh (48), Eamonn McGlynn (0-1) for Keane (57), Louis Keary for Ultan McGlynn (61), Stephen Keane for Sean Burke (75), Cian Connaughton for Keith Burke (78).

MULLAGH: Eric Ward; Seanie O’Brien, Ronan Glennon (0-1, 0-1 free), Shay Glennon; Oisin Coen, Sean Hardiman (0-1), Luke Kennedy; Stephen Cahalan, Dean Finnerty (0-4); Damien Monaghan (0-2), Davy Glennon (0-1), Adam Rocke; Liam Curley (0-1), Cathal Dervan, Conor Dolphin (1-10, 0-9 frees). SUBS: Keith Coen for Dervan (48), Eoghan Gaffney for Monaghan (55), Cathal Kennedy for Rocke (61), Sean Callanan for Curley (63), Liam Curley for Gaffney (75), Damien Monaghan for Callanan (78), Cathal Dervan for Davy Glennon (80), Davy Glennon for Ronan Glennon (82, injury).

REFEREE: Chirsty Browne