Keane’s penalty strike leaves Sixmilebridge reeling

Kilmaley 1-14
Sixmilebridge 2-10

IN the lead-up to last Friday’s U-21A Hurling Championship replay, it was expected another tight contest would result but opinions were divided as to who might emerge with victory.

Few, however, could have predicted the manner in which this tremendously exciting contest would end.
As the game edged towards the final whistle, two minutes of injury time were signalled and, in the first of these, a Seadna Morey point pushed Sixmilebridge two clear. From the puck-out, Eoin Enright won possession at midfield and raced through the middle of the Sixmilebridge defence before being pulled down in front of goal. Referee Rory Hickey immediately signalled for a penalty.
Designated penalty taker Daire Keane did not have one of his better games but he confidently stepped up to the free, which he drove low to the net. Kilmaley followers were still on their feet cheering as the final whistle sounded leaving Sixmilebridge to wonder how they had lost a tie in which they led by seven points after the opening quarter.
Since the second drawn tie with Newmarket, Keane has been nursing a hand injury. As a free-taker, he normally strikes off his left side but on this occasion, he struck the penalty right handed. The victory moves his side to within one win of adding the U-21A title to the minor A crown this group of players won in 2009.
Sixmilebridge got off to a dream start with a goal from Alan Mulready after just a minute. Alex Morey, Pa Sheehan (2), the first an excellent effort from a 55m line ball and Shane Golden added points before Michael O’Neill opened Kilmaley’s account in the 16th minute.
It was 1-7 to 0-2 with eight minutes to play in the half but from here to the half-time whistle, Kilmaley dominated and cut the lead to a goal.
Shortly before the break, Sixmilebridge lost their captain, Pa Sheehan with an ankle injury and this was a big setback.
His team scored first in the second half but four in-a-row from Kilmaley had the sides level, 0-11 to 1-8, as the end of the third quarter approached.
Sixmilebridge were struggling but they got a huge boost at the mid-point of this half when a defensive blunder by Kilmaley gifted them a goal. Kilmaley supporters were rocked but their side’s response was impressive as Conor Cleary and John Cabey had points to cut the margin to the minimum again.
Kilmaley missed a couple of chances to draw level and their chance looked to have gone until Keane converted that penalty.
Martin O’Connor, Enda Finnucane, Colin McGuane, Conor Cleary, Michael O’Neill and Cian Moloney were impressive for the winners. The decision of the Sixmilebridge backroom team to move Seadna Morey from centre-back, where he had dominated, for the final quarter was a big surprise and contributed to their defeat. Brian Carey, Eanna Burns, Alex Morey, Pa Sheehan (until injured) and Alan Mulready did well for them.

Kilmaley: Bryan O’Loughlin; Stephen Griffey, Martin O’Connor, Niall McGuane; Kevin McNamara, Colin McGuane, Enda Finnucane; Eoin Enright, Daire Keane; John Cabey, Conor Cleary, Killian McNamara; Aidan McGuane, Michael O’Neill, Cian Moloney.
Sub: Paul Kennedy for Killian McNamara.
Scorers: Michael O’Neill (0-6, 3f); Aidan McGuane (0-3), Daire Keane (1-0, penalty); Conor Cleary (0-2), Eoin Enright, John Cabey, Killian McNamara (0-1 each).

Sixmilebridge: Stephen Fleming; Eanna Burns, Brian Carey, Darragh McNamara; Noel Purcell, Seadna Morey, Kevin Lynch; Trevor Purcell, Alex Morey; Brian Corry, Shane Golden, Pa Sheehan; Alan Mulready, Darragh Fitzgerald, Conor Deasy.
Subs: Cathal Fitzgerald for Sheehan (inj), Sean Lynch for Fitzgerald.
Scorers: Alan Mulready (2-1); Pa Sheehan (0-4, frees); Shane Golden (0-2), Alex Morey, Seadna Morey, Conor Deasy (0-1).

Referee: Rory Hickey, Éire Óg.