County Senior Hurling Semi-Final
Sunday 16th September 2012
Venue: Gaelic Grounds
Kilmallock 4-24 Na Piarsaigh 4-13
This game must surely go down as one of the greatest championship matches in recent years. It had absolutely everything – magnificent scores, end to end thrill a minute hurling, hurling skills of the highest order and brilliant individual duals throughout the field. Both teams are to be congratulated on providing this wonderfully entertaining contest.
As for Kilmallock, well what can I say? This was a performance out of the top drawer. From one to fifteen the lads were really up for this contest and every one of them went about their business in a determined confident manner. Prior to the match Philip O’Loughlin and Bryan O’Sullivan passed late fitness tests and were declared fit to play.
The first half began with Na Piarsaigh scoring the first point but Kilmallock replied almost immediately with a point from Graeme Mulcahy which was followed by a well taken goal by Kevin O’Donnell. Back came the Na Piarsaigh lads with a couple of points of their own only for Graeme Mulcahy to flash home a brilliant goal to keep Kilmallock in the lead. Robbie Egan was having a mighty game at midfield and scored two brilliant points in the process.
It was now the Na Piarsaigh boys turn to up the tempo and they deservedly took the lead with some well taken scores.
Both sets of backs were really being tested and the game swung from end to end for the remainder of the half with Na Piarsaigh scoring an excellent goal just before half time which put them in the lead on a score line of 3-9 to 2-10.
A thrilling first half gave a total of 24 scores and five goals. Three of the goals came inside the first three minutes. WOW!!! Would the second half be as exciting? We didn’t have to wait long to find out.
Kilmallock began the second half in whirlwind fashion and before Na Piarsaigh had settled back into the game the lads had scored 1-5 without reply. Only 30 seconds had lapsed when Graeme Mulcahy had pointed. Kevin O’Donnell added another point and then Graeme buried a shot in the net following a delightful flick from Eoin Ryan.
Now while there was still twenty five minutes to go, Na Piarsaigh never recovered from this onslaught as Eoin Ryan, Paudie O’Brien, Jake Mulcahy, Paudie O’Dwyer, Shane O’Donnell and Kevin O’Donnell continued to score some terrific points and the irrepressible Graeme Mulcahy weighed in with another haymaker of a goal to complete his hat trick and give a man of the match performance.
In fairness to Na Piarsaigh they never threw in the towel and fought bravely to the finish.
Barry Hennessy had a busy time in goal but could not be faulted for any of the goals. Mark O’Loughlin was replaced by Liam Hurley at half time, due to injury. Philip, his brother was given the task of marking danger man, Kevin Downes and did a fine man to man marking job on him. Kevin O’Mahony was solid as a rock and Gavin O’Mahony commanded the centre back area very effectively ably assisted by Liam Walsh, particularly in the second half and Bryan O’Sullivan, who was hampered by a leg injury. Paudie O’Brien and Robbie Egan commanded the midfield area and all the forwards contributed handsomely to this emphatic victory over the county and Munster champions.
The team lined out as follows: Barry Hennessy, Mark O’Loughlin, Philip O’Loughlin, Kevin O’Mahony, Liam Walsh, Gavin O’Mahony, Bryan O’Sullivan, Robbie Egan 0-2, Paudie O’Brien (Capt.) 0-2, Jake Mulcahy 0-1, Paudie O’Dwyer 0-1, Eoin Ryan 0-8 (5 frees), Graeme Mulcahy 3-3, Kevin O’Donnell 1-3, Shane O’Donnell 0-4.
The following replacements were made: Liam Hurley for Mark O’Loughlin. John Meade for Philip O’Loughlin, Kieran Kenneally for Paudie O’Dwyer and Aaron Costello for Bryan O’Sullivan.
A Word of Caution
While this was a magnificent victory we have won nothing yet and I have no doubt that the team management will ensure that complacency doesn’t set in prior to the final.
