Munster Club Hurling Semi-Final – Sunday 9th November 2014 in Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock 2 p.m.
Kilmallock 3-22 Sarsfields (Cork) 3-20
Kilmallock won the Battle of Fitzgerald Park last Sunday outscoring Sarsfields, the Cork champions, by just two points after over eighty minutes of hurling. Both teams adopted an ‘in your-face’ approach and there wasn’t a spare inch of space to swing your hurley.
The opening half was a tense affair that yielded three goals – two for Sarsfields and one for Kilmallock. The Kilmallock goal came from the rejuvenated Kieran Kenneally early in the half but Sarsfields fought back and raised two green flags after good work from Michael Cussen. The teams went in at the break with Sarsfields leading by the bare minimum, 2-4 to 1-6.
The second half was as hard fought as the first. A long range effort from Bryan O’Sullivan went straight into the net as Kenneally caused confusion in around the square. Paddy O’Loughlin came in for the injured Robbie Egan with ten minutes remaining and with his first touch he ran on to a long ball from Graeme Mulcahy and pulled first time to rattle the net with the sliotar. Still a minor, O’Loughlin was ecstatic as were the Kilmallock crowd as they saw their team go six points clear. This should have been enough but Sarsfields were in no mood to throw in the towel and they clawed their way back with the help of the ever-accurate Cian McCarthy and drew level to send the game to extra time.
Many in the crowd thought that Kilmallock had blown their chance but this team is made of sterner stuff and they came out in extra-time as defiant as ever. The heads never dropped – the belief remained. Conor Barry, on for ‘Man of the Match’ Kenneally, showed great composure and slotted over a point. In the second period of extra-time again Conor Barry gained possession and his kicked effort just went over the crossbar. The fitness of the Kilmallock boys began to tell in the extra-time and spaces began to open up for them. Paddy O’Louglhin hit another point to put us a point clear and from the puck-out Graeme Mulcahy dispossessed the Sarsfields defender and raced away to put two between the sides with seconds remaining.
The cheer that greeted the final whistle was heard all over South Limerick and North Cork and the crowd cheered the victors as they made their way to the dressing-rooms.
This was a true team performance. Eoin Ryan kept the scoreboard ticking over from placed balls and his accuracy inspired those around him as they saw their efforts being rewarded. The six backs hunted in packs and limited their opponents to the minimum. Our midfielders and our forwards scored 3-22, a return that should win any game and our substitutes, when asked, were not found wanting.
On now to the Munster Club Final on Sunday 23rd November in The Gaelic Grounds, Limerick against the Clare champions – Cratloe.
Team : Barry Hennessy, Liam Hurley, Mark O’Loughlin, Aaron Costello, Paudie O’Brien (0-1), Philip O’Loughlin, Kevin O’Donnell, Bryan O’Sullivan(1-1), Jake Mulcahy(0-1),Robbie Hanley, Gavin O’Mahony, Robbie Egan(0-3), Graeme Mulcahy Capt.(0-4), Kieran Kenneally(1-2). Eoin Ryan(0-7),
Subs :Paddy O’Loughlin (1-1) for Egan 50 mins, Conor Barry (0-2) for Kenneally 60 mins
Owen Webb O’Rourke, Donal Barry, Andrew O’Shaughnessy, Benny Burke, David Barry, Dan Joy, Stephen Quirke, Kevin Roche, Conor Staunton, Donnacha Higgins, John Meade, Kevin O’Mahony.
Manager : Ger O’Loughlin. Selectors : Mike Heelan, Adrian O’Brien.
Team Doctor : Dr. Kevin Twomey First Aid : Andrew Goodman
Backroom : Finbar Walsh, Paul O’Mahony, James Mulcahy, Paul Tobin.
