County Hurling League Review
By Liam Hogan
Division 1
Clonoulty/Rossmore 0-20 Kiladangan 1-16
Clonoulty/Rossmore may have won at the Dillon Quirke Grounds on Sunday but Kiladangan, with superior points difference sailed through to the final from group 1.
Kiladangan entered as group leaders on six points, the same as Nenagh Eire Og but blessed with a strong score difference of +44 so they could only miss out if they lost by 25 points at the hands of Clonoulty/Rossmore.
Kiladangan began with promise and had the lion’s share of the scores by the 13th minute at 0-6 to 0-3. Billy Seymour scored four, including two points.
However, the remainder of the half belonged to Clonoulty as Stephen Ferncombe’s accuracy saw the home side outscore the visitors by nine points to lead by six. Approaching half time, Seymour pointed a free before Jack Ryan and Tom Boland exchanged points to see Clonoulty in front 0-13 to 0-8 at the break.
By the 41st minute, Kiladangan had the deficit back to three with Sean Hayes, Seymour and Joe Gallagher on target. Ferncombe’s reliability from frees and play helped Clonoulty recover lost ground to go 0-18 to 0-12 in front with nine minutes remaining.
Kiladangan replied through Eoin Meagher and Billy Seymour but the comeback was briefly interrupted by two Ferncombe points which brought his full tally to 0-10 (0-6f, 1 ‘65). The final minutes saw Kiladangan finish the game on the front foot as Ruairi Gleeson scored a point before Billy Seymour got through with a goal.
Loughmore/Castleiney 2-20 Roscrea 1-14
Loughmore/Castleiney denied Roscrea a place in the semi-final with victory in Roscrea on Sunday.
In a game of two halves, both sides secured a goal apiece inside the opening seven minutes. Then Roscrea took over in the second quarter as they held Loughmore scoreless for thirteen minutes to take a 1-13 to 1-7 half time lead.
The second half saw Loughmore introduce Mossie McGrath, Liam McGrath and Liam Treacy with Mossie scoring 1-3.
This sequence led the visitors to dominate the third quarter outscoring Roscrea 1-7 to nil and they continued to pile on the pressure to the end confining Roscrea to just three second half points.
Roscrea’s defeat allowed Carrick Swan passage to the semi-final as group 3 winners where they will play Cashel King Cormacs in the sole semi-final next Saturday with the winners facing Kiladangan in the final.
Division 2
Killenaule’s outstanding game with St Mary’s resulted in a walkover for the Robins and a place into the semi-finals which was bad news for Lorrha who miss out on head to head with Boherlahan-Dualla.
Killenaule will play Clonakenny in one semi-final with the latter gaining a place in the last four thanks to a walkover from Templederry. The other semi-final sees Eire Og Annacarty taking on Boherlahan.
Division 3
Goals by Michael Feehan, James Butler and Paddy Carey helped Sean Treacys defeat Borrisokane 3-25 to 1-20 in Gardiner Park on Sunday, to give them passage to the semi-finals ahead of West rivals Knockavilla Kickhams.
Sean Treacys will play Golden Kilfeacle in one semi-final with Portroe to take on Arravale Rovers in the other.
Division 4
Toomevara lost 3-23 to 2-17 to Holycross/Ballycahill last week but despite the defeat they are through to the last four when they will face Moyle Rovers.
The other semi-final has Holycross/Ballycahill taking on St Patricks.
Division 5
With two games to play, Kilruane MacDonaghs have a good chance to make the knockout stages from group 3.
Having a game in hand and one point behind group leaders Boherlahan-Dualla, the North side will meet Ballylooby/Castlegrace next Saturday. A win might be enough but they have a final game against Grangemockler to seal the deal.
Meanwhile in Group 2, Cashel are through to the semi-final and will take on the group 3 winners in the semi-final while in Group 1, Carrick Davins currently lead the standings but the final group game this Friday will decide matters. A victory for Ballybacon/Grange at home to Moycarkey/Borris would secure top spot and a direct place in the final ahead of Davins. A Moycarkey win or draw would see Carrick Davins finish top.
Division 6
Clerihan progressed directly to the final after topping Group 1. Group 2 winners Moyne-Templetuohy will face Group 3 winners Killenaule in the semi-final.
The Hurling League semi-finals are scheduled for next weekend. See GAA Scoreboard for details.
In the Football League, Golden Kilfeacle produced an impressive 4-11 to 0-9 victory over Ardfinnan in Group 1, booking their place in the Final against Moyle Rovers.
The Division 2 Football Final will see Grangemockler-Ballyneale take on Moyne-Templetuohy.
In Division 3, St. Patrick’s claimed a dramatic 3-9 to 0-17 victory over neighbours Ballingarry last Friday. The win secured St. Patrick’s a place in the final where they will face Ballingarry once again in a repeat fixture.
Division 4 Football remains wide open, with several games still to be played in the eight team group.
The Football Finals are scheduled for the weekend of May 31st.