Molloy hits 1-16 as Abbeyknockmoy defeat Kilbeacanty in Premier Junior hurling semi-final

Abbeyknockmoy’s experience proved greater as 2017 All-Ireland winning brothers Paul and Brian Flaherty remain key figures in the side, while Coleman Maher and Eoin Blade are also among the starters left from their 2015 Intermediate club success. Molloy also featured for University of Galway in the Fitzgibbon Cup earlier this year.

Mike Finn’s side included a number of players involved with Michael Cusacks underage success last season. The Beagh-Kilbeacanty amalgamation reached U17 B and U20 B finals, winning the latter against Rahoon-Newcastle in Duggan Park. Eoin Fahey, Michael Mullins, Tadhg Mummery, Shane Kearney, Jack Donohue and Jamie Fahey all stepped up from that underage win to feature here.

Kearney started the contest brightly for Kilbeacanty, scoring in the first minute. Molloy responded with a free for Abbey’s first score, before a Stephen Lambert free reclaimed Kilbeacanty’s lead after four minutes. Their lead was short-lived however, and would not be reclaimed.

Paul Flaherty showed his danger from distance to quickly level affairs, before Molloy struck five of the game’s next seven scores. Lambert tapped over a couple of frees for Kilbeacanty, but Abbey were creating chances and drawing fouls from scoreable positions at a much more frequent rate. A Cian Forde score had them 0-8 to 0-4 ahead after 20 minutes.

Ger Hennelly’s side packed the middle third, squeezing Kilbeacanty’s forwards for space as Brian Flaherty and Eoin Blade often dropped back.

Molloy saw a golden goal opportunity flash wide after 26 minutes, but it didn’t halt Abbey’s momentum as they finished the half strongly.

Molloy struck two more frees either side of a Forde point as Abbey began to pull away. Dual-player Cathal Cooley then assisted Molloy who finished a brilliant team move for Abbey’s goal right before half-time, effectively ending the game as a contest as the score now read 1-11 to 0-4 in the 1988 Senior champions’ favour.

Kilbeacanty’s fortunes didn’t improve after the restart as Molloy (two frees), Jamie Collins, and co-captain Philip Muldowney stretched Abbey’s advantage. A Lambert free was again met with a strong response as Thady Moran and further Molloy frees left Abbey 1-18 to 0-5 clear after 45 minutes.

The final quarter yielded Kilbeacanty’s best return with six points thanks to the efforts of Lambert, bringing his tally to 0-9, while Sean Óg Keane also chipped in from play.

Molloy rounded off his scoring, equalling his quarter-final tally of 2-13, while Flaherty added to his earlier score as Abbey ran out convincing winners.

The strong lead afforded Abbey the chance to spring fresh legs in the closing minutes, including Cody Morrissey who shot 0-16 in the club’s U17 C final victory against Liam Mellows in Carnmore last year.

A tough test awaits in the final. Sylane, who beat Abbey by six points in the group stage, similarly are looking for an immediate return to Premier Intermediate ranks.

Abbeyknockmoy: J Kelleher; N Farragher, C Maher, C Langan; P Cooley, C Cooley (joint-captain), J Joyce; J Collins (0-1), P Muldowney (0-1, joint-captain); M Molloy (1-16, 0-14 frees), P Flaherty (0-2), E Blade; C Forde (0-2), T Moran (0-1), B Flaherty. Subs: T Mullins for Moran (49mins); D Coleman for Blade (temporary, 50-51mins & for Joyce 52mins); C Morrissey for Forde (57mins); K Boyle for Blade (58mins); J Flaherty for Muldowney (60+2mins).

Kilbeacanty: S O’Grady; I Byrne, J Carey, S Fahey; B Kelly, K Fahey, E Hughes; B Burke, M Mullins; E Fahey, S Kearney (0-1), S Lambert (0-9, 0-6 frees); T Mummery, S Ó Keane (0-1), C Hennelly (captain). Subs: D Crean for Burke (38mins); J Donohue for Kearney (44mins); J Fahey for Kelly (45mins); C Lambert for Keane (inj., 57mins); N Corless for K Fahey (59mins).

Referee: Sean Byrne.