Michael O’ Connor was on hand for the Champion as Tubber crushed Killenana on a score of 2-31 to 0-10

Consigned to the relegation zone before the game Killanena were making their first appearance at county headquarters since their famous 2010 intermediate win that was masterminded by the late Colman Houlihan.

It was a sobering experience for the proud hurling folk nestled around Loughgraney as Tubber are emerging quietly with younger players who earned their crust in two Under 21B successes and Under 21A final appearance in the last four seasons.

With Pat O’Connor acting as sweeper in Cusack Park the many times Intermediate finalists set out their stall early as this has been a winning tactic to date.

Expectation of a end to end high scoring tussle was muted but one was hopeful that Killanena would play to a level to prepare themselves for the coming month. The Droney cousins were to the fore throughout in the duties as Jonah Culligan was a superb link man.

Ronan Monahan struck first when his effort sneaked over and 39-year-old Clive Earley had his first score before Keith Smyth punished indiscretion on the Tubber side with Killanena’s first score after seven minutes.

Aidan McNamara pointed after smart work by Clive Earley as Keith Smyth sent a free wide. Tubber hit seven in six minutes as University Of Galway student Senan Dunford sent over a brace allied to efforts from Clive Earley (2), Lorcan O’ Grady, James Taaffe and Jonah Culligan to leave Tubber (0-10) to (0-1) ahead after 15 minutes.

Little of any great positivity to report for Killanena in the second quarter as Tubber kept piling on the agony of Martin Smyth’s charges with Ronan Monahan, Senan Dunford (2) and James Taaffe on target by the 21st minute.

Killanena hit back with three scores from Keith Smyth (2) and Ian Macnamara but worse was to come as Ronan Monahan hit the net in the 27th minute after scores from Cathal Droney, Senan Dunford as well as veterans Mark Earley and Lorcan O’ Grady.

There was injury time first half scores from Jonah Culligan and Ronan Monahan before Ronan Taaffe had to be alert to deny Keith Smyth a clear goal as Smyth sent over the resulting 65. Half time Tubber (1-19) Killanena (0-5).

The first ten minutes of the new half saw the side hit half a dozen scores as Tubber stretched their lead to 21 points, (1-23) to (0-5).

Tubber’s efficiency decreased somewhat in the third quarter, understandably, as the motivation decreased. Killanena added five points in the final quarter from Smyth as Tubber added (1-7) in the last ten minutes as Clive Earley lined up Senan Dunford for the game’s second score.

So, Tubber move on to the knockout stages with relative ease as they enjoyed a shooting practice outing at headquarters with Killanena preparing for a battle at the other end of the spectrum.

Tubber: Ronan Taaffe, Joey Droney (0-1), James Howard, Cathal Droney (0-1), Pappy Taaffe, Patrick O’ Connor, Mark Earley (0-1), Jonah Culligan (0-2), Blaine Earley, Lorcan O’ Grady (0-7), Aidan McNamara (0-2), James Taaffe (0-1), Clive Earley (0-4), Senan Dunford (1-6), Ronan Monahan (1-4). Subs: Fergal O’ Grady (0-1) for B Earley, Cathal Murray (0-1) for A McNamara.

Killanena: Todd Kelsey, Jamie Canny, Jason Keehan, Darren McMahon, Aidan McMahon, Donal Moloney, Seamus Keane, Micheal Smyth, Ian Macnamara (0-2), Shane Broderick, Darren Keehan, Stevie O’ Brien, Gearoid Keane, Keith Smyth (0-8), Diarmuid McMahon. Subs: Ryan Keane for D McMahon, Darren Keehan for Canny.

Referee: Aaron Hogg (Clonlara)