Kilshannig cruise past Rathkeale to seal Munster club intermediate football semi spot

A provincial semi-final against Kerry champions Austin Stacks awaits in a fortnight for the Cork side.

SEMIS BOUND: Kilshannig’s Diarmuid O’Sullivan sinks one in the net. Pic: Chani Anderson.

Kilshannig (Cork) 2-12 Rathkeale (Limerick) 1-9

Kilshannig were comfortable victors over Rathkeale in the AIB Munster club IFC quarter-final at Glantane on Sunday, despite a last gasp goal from Rathkeale full-back Bryan Meade two minutes from time.

A provincial semi-final against Kerry champions Austin Stacks awaits in a fortnight, and judging by the big local crowd that was present to see this victory and the brilliant set up by the hosts, there is another huge day to look forward to at the splendidly prepared Glantane venue.

And once they gained a foothold in this fixture, they led from the 10th minute all the way through.

It was Barry Coleman who opened the scoring for Rathkeale in the second minute, but Kilshannig took over.

Points from joint-captain Éanna O’Hanlon, Tom Cunningham (2) and Diarmuid O’Sullivan were converted.

Diarmuid O’Sullivan bagged the first goal in the 14th minute after joint-captain Colm O’Shea won the kick-out - an area Kilshannig capitalised on - and with Éanna O’Hanlon and Darragh O’Sullivan involved in the build-up, Diarmuid applied the finish.

Andrew White pulled a brace of frees back.

Rathkeale’s Barry Coleman and Mikey Morrissey battle in the air against Kilshannig’s Ciaran O’Sullivan. Pic: Chani Anderson

Killian O’Hanlon’s free off the ground settled Kilshannig again, the former inter-county star is their central figure. His brother Éanna and cousin Ciarán O’Sullivan added points for an eight point lead.

The final say of the half went to Mikey Morrissey, 1-8 to 0-4.

The second half started with a Diarmuid O’Sullivan point, and there was also a vital block by Cunningham on Andrew White as he went in search of a Rathkeale goal.

Must be said too, the Limerick champions were without Paul White - man of the match in the county final - who was back in Dubai at his workplace.

Another of their goal chances wasn’t converted when Andrew Meade broke through.

At the three-quarter mark, Kilshannig held a 1-10 to 0-7 lead.

A goal did come, and it was for the north Cork men and registered by Darragh O’Sullivan with Kieran Twomey, Alan O’Connell and O’Shea doing the spade work.

They were coasting, ahead by 11, when Bryan Meade blasted to the top left corner in the 58th minute.

Scorers for Kilshannig: Diarmuid O’Sullivan (1-2), É O’Hanlon (0-4), Darragh O’Sullivan (1-0), K Twomey and T Cunningham (0-2 each), K O’Hanlon (free) and C O’Sullivan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Rathkeale: A White (0-4 frees), B Meade (1-0) M Morrissey (0-3, 0-1 45), B Coleman and A Meade (0-1 each).

KILSHANNIG: G Creedon; C Murphy, E Burke, B Curtin; S O’Connell, C O’Shea (J-Capt), E Healy; C O’Sullivan, T Cunningham; C O’Connell, K O’Hanlon, A O’Connell, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, É O’Hanlon (J-Capt), Darragh O’Sullivan.

Subs: K Twomey for Diarmuid O’Sullivan (41), S Murphy for C O’Connell (43), M Twomey for E Healy (48), J O’Hanlon for É O’Hanlon (49), P Walsh for C O’Shea (52).

RATHKEALE: M White; M Sheahan, B Meade, P Mulcaire; A Shanagher, J Hennessy, D Maune; T Dillane, B Coleman; N Sheahan, A Meade, E O’Donnell; A White (Capt), M Morrissey, P Wilmott.

Subs: D Clancy for N Sheahan (half-time), R Stapleton for P Wilmott, E Barrett for M Sheahan (both 53).

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).