Knockaderry break Kenmare hearts with late flurry to book Munster club JHC semi-final

The Kerry side were still seven points to the good (2-14 to 1-10) by the 55th minute. On the brink of a hugely noteworthy result, they couldn’t hold on

Former county star Tom Condon was the inspiration for the Knockaderry comeback. File picture

Munster Club JHC quarter-final:  Kenmare Shamrocks 2-14 Knockaderry 2-16

Limerick champions Knockaderry broke Kenmare Shamrocks hearts with a stunning scoring blitzkrieg in the last five minutes of this pulsating Munster club JHC quarter-final played in wintry weather conditions at Templenoe.

Leading by nine points (2-10 to 1-4), having played with the strong breeze to their backs, the Kerry side were still seven points to the good (2-14 to 1-10) by the 55th minute. On the brink of a hugely noteworthy result, they just couldn’t hold on.

Former county star Tom Condon was the inspiration for the Knockaderry comeback, floating between full-forward and his own half-back line, and contributing four points from play. Along with centre-forward Rob Egan and top scorer Mark Danaher, their input was pivotal.

Condon and Danaher (2) reduced the deficit to four points, and then, right on the 60-minute mark, Knockaderry substitute Brendan Guiry rattled the Shamrocks’ net, with Kieran Storin firing over the equaliser from the resultant puck-out.

Kenmare Shamrocks were now rattled and, after Egan slotted over to give Knockaderry the lead, Fionán O’Sullivan was just off target with two late opportunities for the Kingdom outfit. Danaher put the seal on Knockaderry’s 1-6 without reply with a last-gasp ’65.

There were two goals in the opening five minutes of the game, with Liam Palmer getting Kenmare Shamrocks off to a flyer, and Enda Moran raising a Knockaderry green flag. By the end of the first quarter, the Kerry intermediate winners were two ahead (1-4 to 1-2).

Jimmy Lehane, O’Sullivan and James McCarthy were superb for Kenmare Shamrocks, with goalkeeper Dan Lucey saving a Danaher penalty in the 20th minute, and then Liam O’Sullivan burying a rebound at the other end after two great blocks by Knock’ centre-back Liam Molyneaux.

Kenmare Shamrocks were excellent in the second quarter, building up that nine-point cushion by the half-time whistle. They defended like demons for long spells in the second period, but Knockaderry, especially Condon, just would not die. Kilbritain await in a fortnight’s time.

Scorers for Kenmare Shamrocks: L Palmer 1-5 (0-1 ’65, 0-4fs), L O’Sullivan 1-0, F O’Sullivan 0-3 (0-2fs), E McCarthy, J Lehane 0-2 each, K Harrington, T Cronin 0-1 each.

Scorers for Knockaderry: M Danaher 0-7 (0-3fs, 0-1 ’65), T Condon, R Egan 0-4 each, E Moran, B Guiry 1-0 each, K Storin 0-1.

KENMARE SHAMROCKS: D Lucey; T O’Sullivan, D Crowley, D O’Connor; T Cronin, J O’Regan, K Harrington; K O’Sullivan, J Lehane; G O’Connor, F O’Sullivan, E McCarthy; L O’Sullivan, J McCarthy, L Palmer.

Subs: D O’Brien for G O’Connor (60), D Wallace for Lehane (60).

KNOCKADERRY: M O’Sullivan; D Moloney, P Downes, D Lyons; J Molloy, L Molyneaux, C O’Connor; G Fenniman, M Molloy; K Storin, R Egan, S McMahon; E Moran, T Condon, M Danaher.

Subs: K Danaher for O’Connor (ht), P Dore for McMahon (39), B Guiry for Downes (54).

Referee: C Walsh (Cork).