PREVIEW: Kilconieron and Mullagh battle it out for a place in senior hurling

Mullagh and Kilconieron finished behind Skehana-Mountbellew-Moylough in the round-robin series, but both have hit the ground running since jeopardy increased in the chase for the Mick Sylver Cup.

Starting with Mullagh, they are aiming to emulate Ballinderreen’s achievement of winning the intermediate title as a third placed team in 2023. Gerry Spelman’s charges always have had a strong reputation but hardly were considered title contenders entering this year.

Eight consecutive championship defeats since Senior B glory three years ago were compounded by a two-point loss to Skehana-Mountbellew-Moylough in Round 1. But a four-goal victory over Beagh ended their winless run.

While the east Galway side fell to Kilconieron (3-18 to 0-15), they found their shape and rhythm as the stakes increased. Kilnadeema-Leitrim couldn’t put them down in the preliminary play-off before Cathal Dervan’s 37th minute free found the net for the victory (2-23 to 1-25).

With confidence restored, they powered to a quarter-final win over Ballinderreen (3-20 to 1-24) despite allowing their opponents back from 10 points down. But their semi-final showpiece against previous vanquishers was enough to make everyone take notice.

Liam Curley and Cian Daly got the goals as Mullagh ran riot in a 2-26 to 1-14 win over Skehana-Mountbellew-Moylough. Previous winners in 1972, 1974, 1982 and 2003, Mullagh are now just 60 minutes away from a record fifth intermediate hurling championship.

With Paddy Hardiman and Senan Coen suffering long term injuries, Eric Ward has reclaimed the goalkeeper’s jersey with a string of consistent showings.

There’s versatility in defence led by Luke Kennedy, Sean Hardiman, Shay and Ronan Glennon. Seanie O’Brien and Oisin Coen started the last day while Fionn Coen is also a contender. Stephen Cahalan can also drop back from midfield. Cathal Kennedy is another reliable performer between the 65s. Cahalan joined him the last day,

Conor Dolphin leads the attack with an average 12 points per game, followed by Dean Finnerty, Curley, Damien Monaghan, Davy Glennon and Keith Coen. Eoghan Gaffney will challenge that sextet while Adam Rocke, Dervan, Sean Callanan and Daly are Mullagh’s main impact men.

Mullagh have rapidly improved since their last loss eight weeks previously, but they also square up with a Kilconieron team chasing a return to senior following last year’s relegation.

Ollie Bergin has shaken up the squad with positional switches and personnel changes from 2025. Under-20 county winning captain Shane Murray is the club’s goalkeeper; Alex Evans and Daniel Keane are in defence; with Stephen Keane in attack.

Sean Connaughton struck three late points to give Kilconieron a 1-15 to 1-14 win over Mullagh in 2024. Shane Caulfield (average 13 points) is their main talisman followed by Keith Burke, Eoghan Mulleady, Stephen Keane, Connaughton and Eamon McGlynn.

Peter and Niall Martin form the defensive spine with Evans, Daniel Keane and Oscar O’Gorman outside them. Robert Burke and captain Ultan McGlynn will contest the final spot while Sean Burke and player of the year contender Ian McGlynn operate in midfield.

Jack Walsh has been their super sub, contributing three points in their last two games. Louis Keary and Cian Connaughton are their other go-to options.

Kilconieron began the season with a two-point victory over Beagh before their one-point reversal against Skehana-Mountbellew-Moylough. And after beating Mullagh, they delivered a stunning display in overcoming last year’s Senior B finalists Ahascragh-Fohenagh (3-19 to 2-13).

They went toe-to-toe with Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry before emerging 1-22 to 3-14 quarter-final victors.

And in a war of attrition in their semi-final two weeks ago against Meelick-Eyrecourt, Kilconieron came through 3-18 to 1-19 after extra time to eliminate the defending champions thanks to goals from Peter Martin, Burke and Mulleady.

The Kilconieron camp are nursing a few knocks, but nobody is expected to miss out on their chase for a fourth title. They won this competition in 1911, 1993 and 2020.

Free takers Dolphin and Caulfield are other player of the year contenders, they both have the ability to decide this final. Dolphin averages 41% of Mullagh scores, while Caulfield contributes 48% for Kilconieron. Ronan Glennon can also hit them from distance.

Conceding fouls will be discouraged on both sides but it’s the supporting acts that could prove the difference. While Peter Martin may be distracted by Dolphin, and Sean Hardiman likewise against Caulfield, Kilconieron must watch Finnerty and Curley, as well as Davy Glennon.

Midfield is too tight to call while Kennedy against Ian McGlynn will be an interesting duel. Burke and Stephen Keane will seek to exploit any holes in Mullagh's defence. This could also come down to which goalkeeper doesn’t concede two or more goals.

For two clubs separated by just 15 minutes either side of the N65, their championship collisions have been rare. As stated, Kilconieron won in 2024 and 2026. But Mullagh (joined with Kiltormer) have enjoyed some good results in their underage meetings over the last decade.

Both teams have hit form at just the right time and Mullagh are accustomed to winning big matches when they gain momentum. And after overturning one loss, they’ll thrive on taking on the other team to beat them this year.

However, Kilconieron got their test in the semi-final, their only defeat was by one point, and not just are they decorated with 2020 intermediate victors, they’re also blessed with multiple under-20 winners from recent years.

Both teams were senior clubs in 2025 (Mullagh – B). That drive to get straight back up will push both to the limit. Kilconieron might just have enough to get over the line.

Verdict: Kilconieron