Lorrha rally to claim group-topping win

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 4

Lorrha 3-23

Killenaule 2-22

Report: Noel Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

Lorrha secured a solid win in the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship on Sunday when a final quarter surged saw them edge out Killenaule in what was a highly entertaining group 4 contest on Sunday afternoon.

Played in excellent conditions and spirit, both sides looked as though they would prevail at different stages of the clash, but in the end missed opportunities cost the South men, while Lorrha were far steadier, particularly in front of goal – five wides against fourteen telling its own story.

Having been in arrears to the tune of five points by the end of the first quarter, Lorrha hurled up a storm in the second quarter and would go in at the break with a five point advantage, 2-10 to 0-11.

It was an unlikely scenario with fifteen minutes played when Killenaule, hurling with the aid of the breeze, made all the running with points from Joe O’Dwyer, Eoin Barry (2), Dean O’Connor (2), Eoin Shaw (2) and Ciaran O’Dwyer helping them to a considerable advantage.

They had conceded points to Lorrha in the form of Colm Fogarty frees (0-2) and an Eoin McIntyre effort from play, but it looked as though Killenaule would kick on and extend their advantage such was their dominance.

However, Lorrha came good and points from Colm Fogarty (2) and Eoin McIntyre got them back into the groove. And, when Cian Hogan controlled a high ball in the square and fired to the net in the nineteenth minute, it was a real shot in the arm for his side.

It got even better for Lorrha with Niall McIntyre, Colm Fogarty, and Chris Fogarty trading points with Eoin Barry and Paudie Feehan. And when Oisin Guinan blasted a second Lorrha goal, having been set-up by Patrick Maher, it meant that the north men would take a five point lead to the break – Dean O’Connor grabbing the last score of the half for Killenaule.

The south men began the second half in a whirlwind with Dean O’Connor (2), Jimmy Feehan, Ciaran Dwyer, and a goal from sub Michael Doyle with his first touch giving them a real boost.

They now found themselves in front and seemed destined to press on again. But, Lorrha had Michael Dolan (free) and Colm Fogarty efforts to restore their lead, only to see a second Killenaule goal with a brilliant Tom Stakelum strike after he took on the defence. Stakelum’s goal came in the 44th minute and Eoin Shaw pointed immediately to put three between them.

But Patrick Maher goaled at the other end for Lorrha in the 45th minute and it got the ball rolling on a rally which yielded scores through Ciaran Haugh, Colm Fogarty (2), Niall McIntyre, Michael Dolan (2 frees) and Patrick Maher to give them a four-point advantage.

Killenaule fought back hard with Eoin Barry, Ciaran O’Dwyer (2), Michael Doyle points, but Lorrha saw out the win with Eoin McIntyre and Colm Fogarty efforts (2) including one from a penalty at the very death after sub Donnacha O’Meara was fouled.

A fine win then for Lorrha who played some fine hurling in the game, they will be well pleased with the victory which sees them progress to the quarter finals as group winners with one game to spare.

As for Killenaule, having been in a very good position on a few occasions, they will be disappointed to have let the initiative slip and face Gortnahoe/Glengoole in their final game with the winner finishing second in the group, however, both will make the knockout stages as a divisional champion.

Player of the Match: Dean O’Connor (Killenaule)

Lorrha: Michael Kennedy (6); Denis O’Meara (6), Daniel O’Donoghue (7), Tom Duggan (6), Conor Hogan (7), Michael Dolan (0-3f, 7), Darragh Guinan (7); Oisin Guinan (1-0, 7), Ciaran Haugh (0-1, 6); Colm Fogarty (0-12, 0-7f, 8), Patrick Maher (1-1, 7), Niall McIntyre (0-2, 8); Christopher Fogarty (0-1, 6), Cian Hogan (1-0, 6), Eoin McIntyre (0-3, 7).

Subs: David Fogarty (6) for O Guinan (40); Donnacha O’Meara (6) for Christopher Fogarty (50 inj); Martin Gorman (NR) for E McIntyre (60 inj).

Killenaule: David McCormack (6); Padraig O’Dwyer (7), Killian O’Dwyer (6), Jack Hassett (6); Jimmy Feehan (0-1, 6), Joe O’Dwyer (6), Thomas Keaveney (5), Ciaran O’Dwyer (0-5, 3f, 6), Paddy Codd (7), Paudie Feehan (0-1, 7), Dean O’Connor (0-6, 8), Eoin Barry (0-4, 1f, 8), Mark Stakelum (5), Thomas Stakelum (1-0, 6), Eoin Shaw (0-3, 7).

Subs: Michael Doyle (1-1, 8) for M Stakelum (HT); Eoin O’Connor (6) for T Keaveney (HT); Luke Ryan (6) for Hassett (40); Darragh Fitzgerald (NT) for T Stakelum (60).

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne-Templetuohy).