Kerry SHC: Kilmoyley survive Causeway comeback to set up mouthwatering semi-final
Kilmoyley manager John Meyler prior to the Kerry County Senior Hurling Championship Final match between Kilmoyley and Causeway at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Kilmoyley, despite leading by nine points inside the opening nine minutes and by 11 points at half time, were forced to hang on as Causeway staged a remarkable second half comeback that saw them fail by just three points in a second thrilling SHC quarterfinal played in the Austin Stack Park in glorious sunshine.
It looked as if Kilmoyley were going to run riot after failing to fire in the group stages but the return of key players especially Mossie O’Connor up front made a huge difference. But ultimately it took a man of the match display by Daniel Collins and a rather soft goal from substitute Kieran McCarthy that got them over the line.
Kilmoyley had Causeway on the back foot from the throw in and struck for goals from Philip Maunsell in the 5th minute and a fortuitous Robert Collins goal a minute later, left Causeway trailing 2-2 to a 0-1 and absolutely shell shocked to boot.
It was 2-4 to 0-2 at the end of the opening quarter with Dougie Fitzell, Daire Nolan and Paudie O’Connor driving John Meyler’s side while O’Connor was leading the Causeway defence a merry dance.
But Causeway, thanks to Evan Murphy, Tommy Casey and Dan Goggin got going. Brandon Barrett converted four frees but Causeway's solitary point from play came in the opening minute for Colum Harty.
Kilmoyley were rampant with O’Connor firing over two sublime points, while Collins fired over two more and Ronan Walsh added two frees as Kilmoyley led 2-10 to 0-5 at half time and Causeway had Everest to climb.
But credit Causeway they were going to die with their boots on and driven on by Tommy Barrett, Evan Murphy and their captain Joe Diggins they scored 1-3 in the opening six minutes of third quarter, with Dan Goggin being taken down after a searing run for a penalty and Brandon Barrett dispatched it to net.
It was 2-11 to 1-8 but Kilmoyley responded with points from Daniel Collins (2) and Ronan Walsh but Causeway were now fighting for their championship lives, as Goggin and Barrett tried to keep them in touch.
But at 2-16 to 1-11 with 54 minutes gone it looked set and match to Kilmoyley. But from somewhere Causeway found the energy to stage a fightback that started with a Goggin goal followed by two more points. Then a long ball saw Gavin Dooley find the net, a three point game (3-16 to 3-13) with three minutes of added time left.
But despite two long balls that Evan Murphy almost got a hurl too, Causeway ran out of time and Kilmoyley with 26 titles will now meet Ballyduff who are on 25. What a clash next Saturday evening.
R Walsh ( 0-6,3fs, 1’65), D Collins ( 0-5), P Maunsell ( 1-1), R Collins ( f) and K McCarthy ( 1-0 each), M O’Connor ( 0-3), D Nolan ( 0-1).
B Barrett ( 1-5, 5fs, 1-0 pen), D Goggin ( 1-2), G Dooley ( 1-00, J Diggins ( 0-3), C Harty ( 0-2), P McGrath ( 0-1f) Teams:
J M Dooley; T Barrett, G Carey, G Leen; B Lyons, E Murphy, T Casey; J Diggins, K Leahy ; K Carmody, B Barrett, D O’Mahoney; P McGrath, D Goggin, C Harty.
Subs: A Fealy for B Lyons ( h/t), G Dooley for D Mahoney( h/t), D Mahoney for P McGrath ( 53), M Lynch for B Barrett (55 inj)
J B O’Halloran; D Kennedy, C Fitzell , F McCarthy; R Collins, D Fitzell, D Nolan; P O’Connor, S Nolan; J Brick, D Collins, R Walsh; P Maunsell, T Murnane, M O’Connor.
Subs: K McCarthy for J Brick ( 45), D McCarthy for R Collins ( 55) Referee: S Stokes (Cork)
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
