Power-packed St Kieran’s in a different class
The half-forward ended the game with 1-9, and had a hand in at least half of Kieran’s other scores.
Power’s splendid exhibition of attacking overshadowed the effort of his team-mates. This Kilkenny side have talent seeping out of every sector on the field, the depth and scope is frightening. People will read of Kieran’s retaining their Croke Cup title and fear, once more, for the future of the game in Leinster.
The Loughrea side never threw in the towel, but they were simply outclassed and overpowered. The Kilkenny side seemed to be two yards faster and were simply clinical up front. Even if Loughrea had managed to stop Power, there was Richie Hogan, who nailed five wonderful points, and Mark Aylward who bagged a brace to effectively end the game before the break.
The game was actually close for the first 20 minutes or so. When Gary Kilcar slotted over a free in the 21st minute, he brought Raphael’s to within a point of parity, 0-6 to 0-5. Already, Power was giving previews of his second-half show, and he was involved in the creation of Mark Aylward’s goal in the 23rd minute.
Alyward’s finish was sweet, but his point a minute later was even better. There was a chink of light between the teams and it looked like widening. It will probably be glossed over because of the final score, but seconds after Alyward barged through the Raphael’s defence to nail his point, Kilkenny relied on Eamonn Walsh to superbly block Ian Burns when the Loughrea forward had a goal chance.
Kieran’s launched the ball upfield, and Hogan beat off two defenders, slicing the ball over the bar when a goal was on. However, a second goal wasn’t long in coming. Power was at the hub, swinging a long free in front of the Loughrea goalmouth. Hogan outjumped the static Galway defence to bat the ball into Alyward’s path. The corner-forward made no mistake. Shane Prendergast tapped over another score, to leave Kieran’s leading 2-9 to 0-5 at the break.
The second half was a story of total Kieran’s domination. Hogan opening the scoring, John Walsh landing a monstrous 70 yard free before we saw the score of the game. Power leapt to catch a high ball, burst past two defenders and from a tight enough angle on the wing, split the posts.
Three minutes later, he found the net, plucking a ball from the air, turning inside his defender and burying the shot past the hapless Fergal Hynes from 20 yards. Keith Haverty took advantage of Patrick Hogan’s mistake, to score a goal for Raphael’s, but it was already nothing more than a consolation goal. With 20 minutes left, they were trailing 3-13 to 1-5.
It could have been worse.
Power tried from goal from all of 30 yards, Hynes saved. At one point, it seemed neither Hogan or Power could decide who was going to shoot for goal, Hogan eventually scored a point.
More scant consolation for Loughrea came by way of Francis Kerrigan’s excellent point in the 59th minute.
However, the Kilkenny defence were as good as their forwards, Donnacha Cody and Walsh in front of him letting nothing through.
But it was Power who grabbed all the headlines. As he is expected to do for a long time to come.
Scorers: St Kieran’s: R Power(1-9, 4 frees), M Aylward(2-1), R Hogan(0-5), D O’Neill, S Prendergast, M Nolan, K Lanigan, J Walsh(0-1 each).
St Raphaels: K Haverty(1-1), G Kilcar(0-2, both frees), F Kerrigan(0-2), S Kelly(0-1)
ST KIERAN’S: P Hogan; W Norton, D Cody, E Walsh, P Butler, J Walsh, N Prendergast; D O’Neill, D Bergin; R Power, S Prendergast, J Quane, R Hogan, N McEvoy, M Aylward. Subs M Nolan for McEvoy (24 mins), J Dermody for S prendergast (35), P Walsh for Hogan, P Treacy for Butler, K Lanigan for O’Neill (all 57).
ST RAPHAEL’S: F Hynes; A Whyte, S Flaherty, P Deeley, D Earls, M Ryan, T Earls; F Kerrigan, R Regan; S Kelly, B Dooley, K Hynes, I Burns, G Kilcar, K Haverty Subs D McKeigue for Burns(50 mins), F Cooney for Kelly(56 mins), R Dervan for Kilcar (55 mins), K Kennedy for Dooley(59 mins).
Referee: S McDonnell (Tipperary).
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