Superb Kilshannig make statement with impressive win over Bishopstown
DOUBLE TEAM: Kieran Twomey, Kilshannig finds his route to goal blocked in the McCarthy Insurance Group Senior A Football championship: Kilshannig vs Bishopstown at Mallow GAA. Picture: Larry Cummins
A commanding 18-point win for Kilshannig over Bishopstown in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC in Mallow on Saturday evening, scoring 2-22 from open play.
This follows an opening round two-point victory over near-neighbours Clyda Rovers.
So, another good day at the office for Richie Ryan’s charges, who are hopeful that Éanna O’Hanlon might make it back from injury for their final group game against Éire Óg.
Two years on from gaining promotion, the north Cork club is top of Group 3 on a scoring difference of +20, and following this polished performance they are in a strong position to qualify for knockout football.
“We want to stay senior for as long as we can,” Ryan said post-match. “We didn’t come up to go back down.
“People forget these lads are a very experienced bunch, they’ve won three football counties.
“We have our own business down here now, two wins from now, and that is a big thing.”
No wonder he felt happy.
Twelve different scorers contributed to the final score, and having the ability to ramp up the pressure after their 0-14 to 0-7 interval lead, grabbing clinical goals in the 46th and 59th minute from Tom Cunningham and Alan O’Connell respectively, delighted their supporters.
This is a youthful Bishopstown squad it must be said, and after coming so close against Éire Óg in round 1, they were outfought in a lot of areas.
They failed to convert a few goal chances in the first half from Jack Tompkins (son of Larry) and Conor Dunne, and while it might have settled them, Kilshannig closed them down at every opportunity, leaving Gary Holland and Kieran McFadden to share most of the scoring for Brian Cuthbert’s side.
Yet, following a Dunne two-pointer, they only trailed by six points midway through the second half, 0-18 to 0-12.
But a brilliant fourth-quarter surge that included two green flags. Former county player Killian O’Hanlon started the rout, and demonstrating he has not lost any of his class, he kicked a two-pointer free after he was fouled himself.
What followed was an unanswered 1-5, and all from play. Either side of Cunningham’s goal, there were points from Jack Twomey, Jack O’Hanlon, Michael Murphy, Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Colm O’Shea.
Kevin Murphy grabbed Bishopstown’s only score during that period in the 52nd minute.
Kilshannig stepped up another notch. In between substitute Donnchad O’Doherty and Jack Twomey points, Alan O’Connell found the back of the net.
The first half was more closely contested.
Bishopstown only trailed by a couple (0-7 to 0-5) on 20 minutes thanks in particular to two marvellous scores from McFadden, but from there to the break were outscored seven to two.
The other fixture in this group between Clyda Rovers and Éire Óg, which was due to be played on Sunday was postponed due to a bereavement.
A O’Connell (1-3), T Cunningham (1-2), Darragh O’Sullivan (0-1 free), J Twomey, K Twomey (1 2pt) and J O’Hanlon (0-3 each), K O’Hanlon (2pt free) and M Murphy (0-2), E Healy, C O’Shea, D O’Doherty and Diarmuid O’Sullivan (0-1 each).
: G Holland (0-5, 0-2 frees), K McFadden (0-4), C Dunne (0-2 pt), K Murphy and H Wixted (0-1 each).
: G Creedon; C Murphy, E Burke, M Murphy; C O’Shea, B Curtin, E Healy; T Cunningham, K O’Hanlon; Darragh O’Sullivan, A O’Connell, J O’Hanlon; J Twomey, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, K Twomey.
Subs: D O’Doherty for Diarmuid O’Sullivan (48), D Guiney for C Murphy (53), C O’Connell for K O’Hanlon (55).
: C Hynes; M Murphy, L Hogan, M Scally; K McFadden, H Wixted, K Murphy; B McCarthy, J Murphy; P Casey, O Foley, J Tompkins; S Collins, C Dunne, G Holland.
Subs: N Crowley for B McCarthy (half-time), B Cahill for S Collins (48), S Sheridan for J Tompkins (53).
: Robert Whelan (Kilworth).
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