Kilcormac-Killoughey into Leinster semi-final after overcoming Naomh Eanna

GOALS THE DIFFERENCE: James Gorman of Kilcormac-Killoughey in action against Tom Stafford of Naomh Éanna during the AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship quarter-final match between Naomh Éanna, Wexford, and Kilcormac-Killoughey, Offaly, at Chadwicks Wexford Park in Wexford. Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Leinster Club SHC quarter-final

Kilcormac-Killoughey (Offaly) 2-22 Naomh Eanna (Wexford) 0-14

SEVEN minutes into the second half Kilcormac-Killoughey struck for two goals within the space of ninety seconds putting a severe dent in the Naomh Eanna champions before they went on to a comfortable fourteen point victory in this disappointing Leinster Club senior hurling championship quarter-final at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

Naomh Eanna's failure to build on their two point interval lead through the early second half exchanges left the game very much in the balance, but the Offaly champions now assisted by the strong breeze quickly took the initiative away from the homeside.

The opening goal on thirty-seven minutes was the result of direct hurling. Netminder Conor Slevin played a short one-two with full-back Oisin Mahon, with the keeper then taking the direct route with a huge delivery to the edge of the Naomh Eanna square leaving full-forward James Gornan to get his hand to the ball deflecting it beyond advancing keeper Jack Cushe to the net.

Less than ninety seconds later they put the issue beyond doubt. Corner-forward Adam Screeney having found lots of space to the right of goal, eluded his marker before planting a great shot across keeper Cushe into the opposite corner of the net, giving his side a 2-11 to 0-11 lead.

Kilcormac-Killoughey despite the loss of influential midfielder Cathan Kiely through injury following the county final, opened impressively into the breeze with four quickfire points inside the opening five minutes through Colm Spain, Screeney, free, Conor Mahon and Charlie Mitchell.

Naomh Eanna had to wait until the sixth minute to open their account, through a Jack Doran point. This score settled the homeside, who were back level 0-5 apiece by the end of the opening quarter, as Cathal Dunbar, Conor McDonald, and Cullen, 65 and free, found the range for the Wexford champions, while Jack Screeney managed a point in between for the visitors.

With Screeney continuing to punish indiscretions in the homesides defence with pointed frees edging them back into a 0-8 to 0-6 lead, but it was Naomh Eanna who finished the half strongest, as they responded with points from Charlie McGuckin, Padraig Doyle two frees, Cullen, free and 65, to lead 0-11 to 0-9 at the interval.

In the opening second half exchanges, Naomh Eanna were unable to extend their half-time lead as the visitors defence held firm with Oisin Mahon, Cillian Kiely and Breacon Kavanagh being particularly outstanding, as they restricted the Wexford champions attack to just three second half points, the first of which did not arrive until the forty-third minute, a Cathal Dunbar point, by which stage Kilcormac-Killoughey had teased and tormented the homeside with some free-flowing hurling, coupled with two goals, leaving the homeside shattered and stunned by explosive hurling which led to them dominating the second half.

Kilcormac/Killoughey suffocated their opponents with their workrate and skilful distribution of possession, leaving Naomh Eanna no doubt hurting, as the eventual winners finished out the game as they started with splendid closing points from sub Thomas Geraghty and Adam Screeney with a long range effort from play.

So for the third year in a row, the Wexford champions have seen their Autumn club campaign end with opening round defeats to the respective champions of Laois, Carlow and now Offaly, leaving much food for thought.

Scorers for Naomh Eanna: J Cullen (0-4, 0-2 frees, 0-2, 65s), C Dunbar (0-3), J Doran (0-2),  P Doyle (0-2 frees), C McGuckin (0-1), A Doyle (0-1), C McDonald (0-1)

Scorers for Kilcormac-Killoughey: A Screeney (1-7, 0-6 frees), J Gorman (1-3), C Kiely (0-3, 0-2 frees), C Spain (0-2), C Mitchell (0-2), E Grogan (0-1), J Screeney (0-1), C Mahon (0-1), Lochlann Kavanagh (0-1).

Naomh Eanna: J Cushe; B Travers, T Stafford, C O Tuama; C Stokes, C Molloy, C McGuckin; S Doyle, A Doyle; C Browne, C Dunbar, J Cullen; J Doran, C McDonald, P Doyle. 

Subs: R Fitzpatrick for Stafford (48); SOg Whelan for Browne (52); E Conroy for Travers (60); D Canavan for McDonald (63).

Kilcormac-Killoughey: C Slevin; B Kavanagh, O Mahon, T Spain; J Quinn, C Kiely, E Grogan; C Spain, D Kilmartin; J Screeney, C Mahon, L Kavanagh; C Mitchell, J Gorman, A Screeney. 

Subs: T Geraghty (0-1) for C Mahon (51); G Guinan for Kavanagh (55); Lochlann Kavanagh for Gorman (55); J Mahon for B Kavanagh (59); G Healion for Mitchell (63).

Referee: S Cleere (Kilkenny).