Kiladangan undone by Cashel goals in league decider

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling League Division 1 Final

Cashel King Cormacs 4-19

Kiladangan 1-27

Report: Michael Dundon at The Ragg

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Ger Browne (Cashel King Cormacs).

SCORERS – Cashel King Cormacs: Cathal Quinn 2-1; David McGrath, Ger Browne 1-3 each; Eoghan Connolly (3 frees), Devon Ryan (2 frees) 0-4 each; Ross Bonnar 0-2; Denis O’Callaghan, Ronan Connolly 0-1 each.

Kiladangan: Billy Seymour 0-13 (12 frees); Sean Hayes 1-3; Alan Flynn, Willie Connors, Conor Byrne 0-2 each; Bryan McLoughney, Joe Gallagher, Darren Moran, Matthew Cleary, Tadhg Gallagher 0-1 each.

Kiladangan’s bid for morale- boosting silverware to kick-start their season came unstuck on Sunday as a brace of goals late on saw Cashel King Cormacs claim the County Senior Hurling League Division 1 title that for much of an entertaining hour looked unlikely.

The North side conceded two goals in each half and these were their undoing. The first half brace kept Cashel in the frame when they were struggling, and two more in a three-minute spell going into the last ten minutes, tipped the scales sufficiently in the West side’s favour to get them over the line in a gripping finish.

It was the proverbial game of two halves. Kiladangan were hugely impressive in the first period, when, wind assisted, they dominated. The goals kept Cashel within striking distance, and an under-pressure Cashel were also let off the hook by some erratic Kiladangan shooting.

The change-over saw Cashel get on top but Kiladangan were containing them until the two green flags late on. Had Kiladangan had another minute or two, they might well have sent the game to extra time.

Instead, they will have some soul-searching to do before the commencement of the North championship in which they have a bye to the semi-final.

For the fair-sized attendance the contest was value for money. Despite conceding a sixth minute goal to Cathal Quinn, which put the West lads 1-2 to 0-3 ahead, Kiladangan were the slicker side, moving the ball quickly and well.

Alan Flynn set up Sean Hayes for their goal after eight minutes and they quickly added five points without reply for a 1-9 to 1-3 lead. They kept driving on and were 1-14 to 1-7 ahead when again caught in defence, Ger Browne netting for Cashel after 21 minutes.

The half-time lead of 1-17 to 2-11 did not do justice to Kiladangan but they looked comfortable enough, Hayes extending their lead soon after resuming.

It took Cashel ten minutes to register their first score, an Eoghan Connolly pointed free, and at the three quarter stage Kiladangan were still 1-22 to 2-14 clear and looking likely winners.

Cashel then struck a rich vein. Ross Bonnar (2) and Eoghan Connolly had points before David McGrath netted in the 51st minute, followed by a Ger Browne point to put them ahead, 3-18 to 1-23.

Kiladangan’s troubles did not stop there. In the 54th minute, Devon Ryan set up Cathal Quinn for his second and Cashel’s fourth goal, giving the game an entirely different complexion, 4-18 to 1-24.

Kiladangan were now in trouble but they responded very positively. Billy Seymour pointed a free to which Devon Ryan replied for Cashel. Willie Connors raised a white flag for Kiladangan with a minute to go. They piled forward but Conor Bryan’s point was their only reward, not enough to prevent Cashel taking the honours.

It’s not the end of the world for Kiladangan but it will worry them that a game which looked so much in their charge slipped away from them. Biggest concern will be the concession of four goals, the absence of full-back James Quigley through injury in the last quarter a significant factor. Scoring 1-27 will win many games, but shipping four goals is a recipe for disaster and they duly paid the penalty.

Their first half showing was very impressive with Alan Flynn, Dan O’Meara, and Sean Hayes in flying form. Billy Seymour’s accuracy from frees was also a feature. James Quigley until injured, David Sweeney, and Darren Moran, also did well while Willie Connors contributed two points from play to their tally.

It was Cashel’s day, however, and on their second half showing they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Dan Breen Cup.

Ger Browne’s 1-3 from midfield, was a big factor with Cathal Quinn and David McGrath also showing quality near goal. Ronan Connolly, Eoghan Connolly, Conor O’Dwyer, and Ross Bonnar, when introduced, also made a big impact, though, like Kiladangan in the second half, they will have serious misgivings at how they played in the first half.

TEAMS – Cashel King Cormacs: Aaron Browne (6); Conn Bonnar (6), Nathan Ryan (6), Anthony Walsh (6); Conor O’Dwyer (7), Eoghan Connolly (7), Kieran O’Dwyer (6); Ronan Connolly (7), Ger Browne (8); Brian O’Donoghue (6), Oisin O’Donoghue (6), Cathal Quinn (7); Denis O’Callaghan (6), Devon Ryan (6), David McGrath (7).

Subs: Ross Bonnar (7) for Walsh (44); Colm Ryan (6) for B O’Donoghue (52).

Kiladangan: Barry Hogan (6); David Sweeney (7), James Quigley (6), Darragh Butler (6); Willie Connors (6), Alan Flynn (7), Matthew Cleary (6); Tadgh Gallagher (6), Conor Byrne (6); Darren Moran (6), Billy Seymour (7), Dan O’Meara (7); Sean Hayes (7), Joe Gallagher (6), Bryan McLoughney (6).

Subs: Darragh Flannery (6) for Quigley (43 inj); Tom Boland (6) for McLoughney (47); Jack McGrath (6) for Butler (50).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels).