Kilrush take control in extra-time

Kilrush 1-18 
Kildysart 1-12
(after extra-time)

Kilrush are back in the Cusack Cup after they accounted for Kildysart in this Division 2 semi-final played at Tubridy Park in Kilrush on Saturday evening.

 

Extra-time was needed to find a winner and the ­Shamrocks were a little fortunate to bring the game to the extra period after Jim Young hit the leveller late in normal time.

Kildysart will argue that the decision to award a free to Kilrush was harsh and that the free should have been for them. Young made no mistake from the resultant effort.

In the first period of extra time, the winners dominated and they opened a six-point gap, which sent them on the road to the final.
Liam Madigan was in the line-up for the extra period and the teenager scored his side’s goal, a crucial score on the day. Eoghan O’Kelly was another to start in the winner’s extra-time line-up.

At half-time in normal time, Kilrush held a two-point lead, 0-8 to 1-3, the Kildysart goal coming from full-forward Keith Murphy.

The intermediate side continued to make life difficult for their more fancied opponents in the second half and looked to be on the way to a final meeting with their neighbours Clondegad until that controversial free to Kilrush, which Jim Young calmly slotted to force the extra period with the score at 1-10 for Kildysart to 0-13.

Kilrush were a different outfit from here on and produced a stunning first period to open a six-point margin.

Kildysart, to their credit, battle to the end but the gap was too great and Kilrush, with John Hayes excelling at centre-back, held the upperhand to secure their final place.

In addition to Hayes, the winners had impressive performances from Matthew Moloney, Niall Gilbride, Danny Lynch, Jim Young and Stephen Sweeney.
Ger Kelly was, once again, Kildysart’s leading scorer with 0-8 to his credit.
Kilrush and Clondegad, both of whom are assured of Cusack Cup football next season, will compete for the Michael Garry Memorial Cup.

Kilrush: Tony Burke; Niall Clancy, Chris Dixon, Niall Gilbride; Matthew Moloney, John Hayes, Niall Brennan; Danny Lynch, Darragh Bolton; Stephen Sweeney, Cian Murray Jack Browne; Rory O’Connor, Jim Young, Pajoe McGrath.
Scorers: Jim Young (0-7), Rory O’Connor (0-4), Pajoe McGrath (0-3), Liam Madigan (1-0), John Hayes (0-2), Stephen Sweeney, Niall Clancy (0-1 each).
Subs: Con O’Brien for McGrath, David O’Shea for Murray, Calum Bond for N Clancy, Eoin O’Kelly for Sweeney.

Kildysart: Liam Griffin; Michael Eustace, Shane McNeilis, Kieran Ayers; Damian Hill, Brian Ayers, John Guinnane; Keith O’Connor, Neil O’Connor; Damian Murtagh, Ger Kelly, Ian Slobody; John Murtagh, Keith Murphy, Brian O’Sullivan.
Scorers: Ger Kelly (0-8, 6f); Keith Murphy (1-0), Damian Murtagh (0-2), John Guinnane, Brian O’Sullivan (0-1) each.
Subs: Niall Guinnane for J Murtagh, Eoin Cleary for Slobody, Christy Clancy for D Murtagh, Brian Moloney for Hill.

Referee: John Brew, Kilmurry-Ibrickane.