Merited victory for Wolfe Tones

Wolfe Tones  1-8

Kilmihil  0-7

A blistering start when playing against a strong wind, which yielded the game’s only goal in the third minute, laid the foundations for Wolfe Tones’ merited victory over Kilmihil in their round two tie played at Lissycasey on Saturday.

While Kilmihil battled back to be on level terms at half-time, they were always fighting an uphill battle and any chance they might have had of getting something from the game disappeared when they were reduced to 14 men eight minutes from time when Mark O’Connell picked up his second yellow card and had to leave the action.
Having lost their opening-round game to Kilmurry-Ibrickane, Kilmihil knew going into Saturday’s game that anything other than a win would put them out of the title race. They could hardly have asked for a worse start than to concede a goal as early as the third minute and from here on they were always struggling. Wolfe Tones dominated the early exchanges and Darren Ryan’s goal came at the end of a good movement, which involved Stephen McInerney and Stephen Monaghan on a day when the Shannon club lined out without the suspended Gary Leahy.
Daniel Gallery had the game’s opening point in the eighth minute and a further four minutes elapsed before Kilmihil opened their account with a point from David Ryan, who had moved to full-forward at this stage of the game. Declan Downes (free) and Ryan with his second had the margin down to the minimum coming up to the 20th minute. The sides then swapped points twice before Declan Downes converted his second free of the day to leave the teams on level terms at the break, 0-6 to 1-3.
They both made changes for the second half, with Philip Ryan coming in for Kilmihil, while minor Alan Cunningham was in the Wolfe Tones attack. Within a minute Kilmihil were in the lead for the first and only time as Declan Downes pointed a free but this was to prove to be their only score of the half. Chris Dunning levelled for the winners in the fifth minute and six minutes later, Stephen Monaghan kicked them into the lead before adding a second at the mid-point of the half.
As both sides fought hard for the upper hand, there were some heavy tackles put in and this resulted in match official John Hannon producing some yellow cards. A Daniel Gallery 45 put his team three clear before Kilmihil’s Mark O’Connell picked up a second yellow card leading to his dismissal and this was a blow from which Kilmihil never recovered.
It was fitting that, a minute from the end, the man who had opened the scoring in the third minute of the game should secure the final score when he kicked a point to seal victory for the Shannon side and a place in the quarter finals.
Sean Brennan, Stephen McInerney, Brendan Hughes, Patsy Keyes, Chris Dunning and Daniel Gallery got through a lot of good work for the Shannon club. For a disappointing Kilmihil, Mark O’Connell, David and Timmy Ryan and Paul Reidy had their moments.

Wolfe Tones: Jason Casey; Stephen Carroll, Sean Brennan, Bobby O’Connell; Craig O’Brien, Brendan Hughes, Stephen McInerney; Patsy Keyes, Joe McGauley; Daniel Gallery, Chris Dunning, Kevin Corbett; Stephen Monaghan, Darren Ryan, Colm McCaul.
Sub: Aaron Cunningham for Corbett (inj, half-time)
Scorers: Darren Ryan (1-1), Chris Dunning, Daniel Gallery (1f) Stephen Monaghan (0-2 each), Patsy Keyes (0-1)
Frees for: 20; Wides: 9;  45s: 1
Bookings: Stephen Monaghan (35 minutes); Daniel Gallery (47 minutes); Chris Dunning (53 minutes); Patsy Keyes (55 minutes)
“We were on top for a long time. The work ethic and the unity in the team has really picked up this year.” Brendan Reidy, Wolfe Tones manager.

Kilmihil: Keith Considine; Derek O’Connell, Laurence Murray, Anthony Downes; Stan Lineen, Mark O’Connell, Eamonn Ryan; David Ryan, Timmy Ryan; Noel Downes, Enda O’Halloran, Paul Reidy; Shane Egan, Shane Mangan, Declan Downes.
Subs: Martin O’Leary for Mangan (inj, 17 minutes), Philip Ryan for N Downes (half time).
Scorers: Declan Downes (0-3f); David Ryan (0-2), Enda O’Halloran, Mark O’Connell (0-1 each).
Frees for: 26; Wides: 5;
Bookings: Paul Reidy (23 minutes); Mark O’Connell (38 minutes and 52 minutes); Enda O’Halloran (55 minutes); Philip Ryan (56 minutes).
Sent off: Mark O’Connell (52 minutes)
“They were better than us and their forwards were good. We didn’t capitalise on the breeze in the first half.” John Ryan, Kilmihil manager.

Referee: John Hannon, Michael ­Cusack’s.