Daly to rescue for Kilbrin
The wind played a big part as St Oliver Plunkett’s led by double scores, 2-10 to 1-5, at half-time but they were pegged back at the death when a long-range free by Liam Daly split the posts.
Wind assisted St Oliver Plunkett’s – who had five O’Driscoll brothers in their line out – goaled inside five minutes from Brian Walsh and when they hit the net through Conor McCarthy a few minutes later the west Cork side had opened up a 2-3 to 0-1 lead. However, a free from distance by William Egan went all the way to the net and Kilbrin were up and running. Skipper Daniel O’Sullivan pointed on 23 minutes after a well-worked move up-field and they were now just a goal behind, 1-4 to 2-4.
But, with Barry O’Driscoll rallying at wing back, St Oliver Plunkett’s finished the half strongly with excellent points from Michael Pat Keohane, the impressive Kevin Coffey (three), Conor McCarthy and Brian Walsh. They returned from the dressing-room with an eight point lead but they also had the intermittent showers and strong wind to contend with.
Yet, they gave little away until Kieran Sheahan wore them down to bury from close range in the 42nd minute, the build-up involving Damien Crowley and Noel O’Callaghan.
When William Egan floated over an excellent point, the comeback had started in earnest (2-9 to 2-12). The fourth quarter was fiercely contested but the crucial score arrived for Kilbrin five minutes from time from sub Thomas O’Reilly to leave it 3-10 to 2-15. And when Coffey struck his 12th point with two minutes remaining, Kilbrin had it all to do.
Nevertheless, they refused to give in. Centre-back Nelius O’Reilly led the charge with a superb point, and then Daly converted two frees to tie the game with the clock already in stoppage time.
Scorers for Kilbrin: L Daly 0-6fs, W Egan 1-3 (1-0f), K Sheahan 1-1, T O’Reilly 1-0, D O’Sullivan, D Crowley, N O’Reilly 0-1 each.
Scorers for St Oliver Plunkett’s: K Coffey 0-12 (5fs, 1 65), B Walsh 1-2, C McCarthy 1-1, M P Keohane 0-1.
KILBRIN: P O’Callaghan; C Carroll, M O’Riordan, P Ahern; T Brennan, N O’Reilly, D Sheahan; W Egan, P Egan; L Daly, K Sheahan, D O’Sullivan; E Sheahan, N O’Callaghan, D Crowley.
Subs: T O’Reilly for E Sheahan (40), K O’Sullivan for C Carroll (57), S Crowley for N O’Callaghan (58).
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT’S: K Fitzgibbon; G McCarthy, T Coffey, J P O’Driscoll; M Higgins, C O’Driscoll, B O’Driscoll; E O’Driscoll, T J O’Driscoll; M P Keohane, K Coffey, P Coffey; B Walsh, C McCarthy, K O’Driscoll.
Subs: D Walsh for P Coffey (58).
Referee: P Downey (Inniscarra).
