Kilmallock hold their nerve to reach first Limerick SHC final in four years

Pierce Connery scored 1-8 for Kilmallock in the win against Monaleen

Oisin O'Reilly scored a crucial 52nd minute goal for Kilmallock in their Limerick SHC semi-final victory over Monaleen. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile

Limerick SHC semi-final: Kilmallock 2-19 Monaleen 2-17 

Kilmallock kept their heads in a frenetic finish to secure a first Limerick SHC final appearance in four years.

There was an element of luck about their victory – Oisín O’Reilly was allowed a generous amount of steps for his 52nd minute goal that restored their lead that they retained until the end.

However, on the balance of things, they had been the better side despite the fine detail Monaleen had done in keeping Shane O’Brien relatively quiet.

Speedy O’Reilly sprung from the left wing and despite being fouled by Bryan Canny dispatched the ball beyond Jamie Power to put Kilmallock 2-17 to 1-15 ahead.

Eight minutes earlier, Andrew La Touche-Cosgrave had re-entered the field having earlier retired with an injury and with his first touch of the sliotar connected with a long-free to put his side back in front, 1-12 to to 0-13.

Ben Hayes and Ronan Lyons tagged on points but Kilmallock drove once more and posted three points on the trot prior to O’Reilly’s goal.

After La Touche-Cosgrave added a point, Pierce Connery pounced quickest to find the net in the 57th minute after Jamie Power had been level to a Phelim O’Reily shot.

Connery followed it with a point to widen the margin to five points but Monaleen hit back once more. Substitute Eoghan Maher raised the fourth green flag of the half in the 58th minute and Dara Ferland made it a one-point game in the second minute of additional time.

Monaleen substitute Mark O’Dwyer was off target with a free that would have levelled the sides for only the second time. Goalscorer O’Reilly sent over a relieving point and while Lorcan Lyons brought Monaleen within the minimum once more Kilmallock substitute Conor Staunton punished a stray Monaleen clearance to double the difference.

Both teams would have had first-half regrets. Each of their conversion rates were around 50%, Monaleen striking seven wides to Kilmallock’s five, but they were also dropping shots short.

Without a game for three and a half weeks, Kilmallock also had the excuse of facing the breeze into the City End but a tight leash was kept on O’Brien. He was unfortunate not to win a free by the 24th minute as he alternated between the half and full-forward lines but he also registered a couple of wides under pressure.

The marquee name at the other end, Donnacha Ó Dalaigh, opened with two points inside the first four minutes but they were his only scores of the half as the Kilmallock defence settled in the second quarter.

There are high hopes for corner-back Jackie Dwane and he was the standout defender for Kilmallock in that period. His presence of mind and ability to get in hooks and blocks were a major reason for Monaleen scoring just two points from the 17th minute to the half-time break.

The entire Kilmallock effort had to improve in a first quarter where they seemed disorientated. Oisín O’Reilly had reason to be having taken a heavy hit early doors but Monaleen were finding space too easy in the middle third.

Shane Hassett’s second free of the game in the 17th minute propelled them into a 0-7 to 0-2 advantage.

Connery (free) and Darragh Langan had swapped scores when Kilmalllock tore into the game with a series of points and frees. O’Brien picked off his first score in the 21st minute and earned a free converted by Connery three minutes later. A long-range Graeme Mulcahy strike was good and The Balbec were two points behind.

A pinpoint puck-out by Power in the 29th minute was key to Joe Fitzgerald adding his second point and ending the Kilmallock purple patch. Connery converted a third free to close out the half and trailing by two, 0-7 to 0-9, James Hickey’s side were marginally the happier.

Monaleen had also lost experienced operator La Touche-Cosgrove to a temporary injury assessment before the break. He returned midway through the second half and announced himself in dramatic fashion but Kilmallock had more tricks in their bag.

Scorers for Kilmallock: P. Connery (1-8, 0-5 frees, 0-1 65); O. O’Reilly (1-1); G. Mulcahy (0-3); K. Hayes (0-2); P. O’Reilly, S. Quirke, S. O’Brien, M. O’Loughlin, C. Staunton (0-1 each).

Scorers for Monaleen: A. La Touche-Cosgrave (1-1); S. Hassett (0-3, frees); E. Maher (1-0); D. Ó Dalaigh, J. Fitzgerald, E. O’Driscoll, L. Lyons (1 free) (0-2 each); D. Langan, L. Murphy, B. Hayes, R. Lyons, D. Ferland (0-1 each).

KILMALLOCK: C. Hanley-Clarke; A. Costello, R. Egan, J. Dwane; M. O’Loughlin, C. O’Connor, K. Hayes; M. Houlihan, S. Quirke; P. O’Reilly, S. O’Brien, G. Mulcahy; P. Connery, O. O’Reilly, R. Hanley.

Subs for Kilmallock: G. Enright for R. Hanley (37); P. O’Brien for S. Quirke (50); C. Staunton for P. Connery (57); D. Cronin for A. Costello (inj 60+5).

MONALEEN: J. Power; M. Fitzgerald, N. Clancy, B. Canny; R. Lyons, L. Lyons, D. Langan; E. O’Driscoll, L. McHale; L. Murphy, D. Ó Dalaigh, A La Touche-Cosgrave; D. Ferland, S. Hassett, J. Fitzgerald.

Subs for Monaleen: B. Hayes for A. La Touche-Cosgrave (temp 27); A. La Touche-Cosgrave for L. Murphy (44); E. Maher for L. McHale (inj 56); M. O’Dwyer for S. Hassett (58); T. McCarthy for B. Canny (60+1); C. Nicholas for E. O’Driscoll (60+3).

Referee: E. Stapleton (Doon).