Kanturk still going strong after another heart-stopper
For the second time in seven days, Kanturk recorded a heart-stopping two-point victory in the Cork Premier IHC. After squeezing past Tracton a week earlier, they edged battling Kilworth in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday to book a last four place against Newcestown which is an outstanding achievement given they were an intermediate club last year.
Score for score, tied 12 times, in the end Kanturk needed points from inter-county stars Lorcán McLoughlin and Aidan Walsh to advance. Defending rigorously, they withstood fierce pressure as two evenly balanced teams went all out for the win.
Lorcán McLoughlin, who started at full-forward, swapping with midfielder Walsh intermittently, fired 12 terrific points.
“I had a tummy bug coming into the game,” he explained.
“So they started me in the full-forward line. They left me to my own devices inside. But in fairness it is a team game and the lads who came off the bench made a huge impact. They are all doing really well and we seem to be going in the right direction. We are carrying the momentum from last year.
“Kilworth are fantastic hurlers. They beat us two years ago [IHC final] so we knew what to expect. We will have a break now because of football [IFC v Fermoy]. Newcestown are a formidable side.
” They are going to be a new force. When you reach the semi-final the games don’t get any easier.”
It was an agonising result for Kilworth who were ahead 0-11 to 0-10 at the break. Adrian Mannix was unstoppable scoring seven points – four from play and two magnificent side line cuts – while goalkeeper Kieran Walsh rifled over a pair of frees.
Lorcán McLoughlin hit six Kanturk points whilst centre forward Donnacha Kenneally struck three.
However, one of their best moves was switching county footballer John McLoughlin (brother of Lorcán) to full back where he proceeded to curtail the highly influential Mannix.
Kanturk, shorn of the suspended Ian Walsh, set the tone in the second half moving 0-14 to 0-12 in front.
However, Kilworth received a massive boost when corner forward Noel McNamara bagged a cracking goal.
They played deep trying to preserve the lead, yet they couldn’t be separated, 0-18 to 1-15, with 10 minutes remaining.
Lorcán McLoughlin landed two massive points from play – the second set up by sub John Healy. Anthony Nash then stopped a shot from going over the bar. It was hectic. John Browne cleared from the excellent Liam Whelan while Walsh saved from Healy at the other end.
The rally continued. Will Condon was narrowly wide before Aidan Walsh stretched the gap to three points.
Kilworth went close again, Whelan’s effort whizzing over the bar that could just as easily have gone under.
Scorers for Kanturk: L McLoughlin (0-12, 7fs, 1 65), D Kenneally (0-3), A Walsh (0-2), A Nash (f), W Murphy, L O’Keeffe, L O’Neill (0-1 each).
Scorers for Kilworth: A Mannix (0-8, 2fs, 2 sl), L Whelan (0-4), N McNamara (1-0), K Walsh (0-2 frees), B Tobin and W Condon (0-1 each).
KANTURK: A Nash; D Browne, D Duane, B O’Keeffe; D O’Connor, J Browne, J McLoughlin; A Walsh, L O’Neill; W Murphy, D Kenneally, A O’Keeffe; J Fitzpatrick; L McLoughlin, M O’Riordan.
Subs: L O’Keeffe for M O’Riordan (ht), B Mullane for W Murphy (43), S Walsh for A O’Keeffe (45), J Healy for J Fitzpatrick (50).
KILWORTH: K Walsh; M McNamara, A O’Hara, S Keane; J McCarthy, N Byrne, K Lane; L Whelan, B Tobin; P Moakley, J Cahill, W Condon; T Twomey, A Mannix, N McNamara.
Subs: P Lynch for T Twomey (49), N O’Brien for J Cahill (59), J Kenneally for P Moakley (60).
Referee: Seamus Crowley (Argideen Rangers).
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