County Hurling League Semi-Finals Review
By Liam Hogan
Division 1
Cashel King Cormacs 1-21 Carrick Swan 1-17
Cashel King Cormacs will play Kiladangan in the Division 1 final after a four point win over Carrick Swan at Clonmel Sportsfield on Saturday.
In a repeat of 2024 County Intermediate final, Carrick got off to a good when scoring three unanswered points before Cashel found their mojo thanks to a Cathal Quinn goal. They never looked back from there on as they enjoyed a 1-15 to 1-7 half time lead.
On the restart, the game developed into something of a stop-start nature with both sides needing the accuracy of their respective free-takers to keep them afloat particularly Devon Ryan who was Cashel’s top scorer with 0-10 (5 frees) while Callum Walsh scored 1-12 (0-7f, 0-1 s-cut) for the Swan, his goal something spectacular. Ger Browne scored 0-5 from play for Cashel.
Division 2
The Division 2 semi-finals between Killenaule and Clonakenny plus Eire Og Annacarty v Boherlahan-Dualla take place this week.
Division 3
Golden Kilfeacle 2-23 Sean Treacys 2-19
Golden Kilfeacle were always in charge as they defeated West rivals Sean Treacys in the semi-final in Kilcommon on Friday evening.
They enjoyed a good start as they led 0-9 to 0-4 by the tenth minute.
Aaron Colohan’s goal in the 28th minute had them 1-15 to 0-6 clear but Sean Treacys hit back with a three pointer as Golden led 1-16 to 1-6 at the break.
The third quarter was more of what Golden could offer and a goal by Andy Byrnes in the 35th minute put the County Intermediate champions out of reach, 2-20 to 1-10. It was enough to stave off a late Sean Treacy fightback scoring a consolation 1-5 in the final ten minutes.
Arravale Rovers1-26 Portroe 2-17
A free-flowing Arravale Rovers side overcame a slow start before defeating Portroe in an entertaining semi-final at Lacken Park, Newport on Saturday evening.
For a while it looked as if it was going to be one-way traffic as Portroe, with the help of two John Sheedy goals were 2-6 to 0-2 in front after thirteen minutes. Indeed, Port might have been further ahead but for some great saves by Arravale keeper Paddy O’Donnell.
However, the wheels came off in the second quarter as Port lost centre back Jack O’Callaghan to injury and by half time the sides were level 2-9 to 1-12 with Arravale looking the better team thanks to scores by the speedy Orrin Jones, Sean O’Mahoney, Jaye Cilvinas and Daragh Leahy who supplied the goal. Two minutes into the second half, Port had more trouble when losing Robert Byrne to a red card.
Throughout the next twenty minutes, Arravale ran riot with Jones bringing his tally to 0-13 (4 frees) plus that of midfielder Sean O’Mahoney (5 from play) as the duo were unplayable in their efforts to push Arravale Rovers into the final.
Division 4
Toomevara are through to the final after their 3-21 to 1-20 win over Moyle Rovers in Dundrum on Saturday and will face Holycross/Ballycahill in the decider after defeating St. Patrick’s in the other semi final.
Division 5
Kilruane MacDonaghs meet Cashel King Cormacs in the semi-final after they topped Group 3 after defeating Ballylooby/Castlegrace 3-19 to 0-20 at Ballylooby last Saturday. The winners will face Ballybacon/Grange in the final.