Early EannaO’Hannon goal helps send Kilshannig into decider
Eanna O'Hanlon, Kilshannig celebrates his early goal against Newmarket at Kanturk. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Kilshannig held enough character to deal with a strong second half response from Newmarket in a highly entertaining Co JAHC semi-final at Kanturk. The Avondhu champions emerged much more clinical and availed of an early purple patch highlighted by a second-minute goal from Eanna O’Hanlon that ultimately divided the sides.
Having lost a dramatic county final in 2022 to Erins Own after extra time in a replay, Kilshannig take a step closer towards a historic first Junior A hurling title where they will face Ballinora or Cobh.
A breeze assisted Kilshannig spelt out their intent from the outset, Paddy Walsh pointed before O’Hanlon sliced the Newmarket defence open to shoot a smashing goal. Kilshannig looked sharp and focused, drawing a positive response from the key contributions of Colm O’Shea, Bill Curtin, Kieran Twomey and Darragh O’Sullivan.
The accurate Walsh added three points from placed balls, a nervous looking Newmarket waited until the 9th min. to open their account thanks to a Donal Hannon pointed free. However Kilshannig delivered an indication of their well being, Jack Kearney and Jack Twomey recording three points in quick succession.
Kearney exited the proceedings owing to injury, Hannon added a pair of points for Newmarket to trail 1-7 to 0-3. Steadily Newmarket offered an improvement, Cian Crowley and Conor O’Keeffe found the range.
Kilshannig responded with points from O’Sullivan, Walsh and a massive effort from Kieran Twomey to secure a 1-11 to 0-8 advantage at the break.
On the restart, Newmarket raised the tempo, greatly encouraged by a terrific point by Hugh O’Connor, posted close to the sideline. Favoured by the breeze, Newmarket operated with a huge energy added to their tally from Ryan O’Keeffe and O’Connor.
The Kilshannig attack saw a greatly reduced supply, their only point in the third quarter saw Walsh point for a narrow 1-12 to 0-13 grip. With Newmarket penalized for handling errors, the efficient Walsh proceeded to add two pointed frees, at times, Newmarket’s shooting lacked composure with a run of wides from both play and frees.
That contrasted to Jack Twomey delivering a tidy Kilshannig point, to Newmarket’s credit, they refused to be ruffled, O’Connor and Hannon raising white flags to leave three between the sides.
That made for excitement during the latter stages, Eanna O’Hanlon added a point for Kilshannig. Newmarket remained in hot pursuit, Conor O’Keeffe bisected the uprights yet Kilshannig saw out the closing stages to secure a ticket to their second county final in three years.
P Walsh 0-8 (7f), E O’Hanlon 1-2, J Kearney 0-2, K Twomey 0-2 (1f), J Twomey 0-2, D O’Sullivan 0-1.
: D Hannon 0-5 f, H O’Connor 0-4 (3f), R Lynn 0-4, C O’Keeffe 0-2, C Crowley, R O’Keeffe 0-1 each.
: D Kearney, D Guinee, C O’Shea, C Murphy; E Burke, B Curtin, K Twomey; Darragh O’Sullivan, D Murphy; P Walsh, E O’Hanlon, J Kearney; C Ruby, J Twomey, K O’Hanlon. Subs. Diarmuid O’Sullivan for J Kearney (20 inj), R Crowley for C Ruby (42).
: B Newman; P Allen, A Browne, J O’Connor; A Ryan M Browne, J O’Keeffe; H O’Connor, K O’Sullivan; C O’Keeffe, D Hannon, C Crowley; R Lynn, B O’Connor, R O’Keeffe. Subs. C Browne for B O’Connor (40), M Cottrell for K O’Sullivan (52), P Browne for J O’Connor (55).
: Pat Lyons (Bishopstown).
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