Cappawhite upset fancied Kilsheelan

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Cappawhite 1-16

Kilsheelan/Kilcash 1-12

Report: Michael McCarthy in Golden

Cappawhite booked their place in the semi-finals of the Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship for the third year in succession with a deserved four-point victory over Kilsheelan/Kilcash on Saturday.

The contest was a dour and error-strewn affair for much of the opening half. The slippery surface contributed to plenty of mistakes on both sides, with clear scoring opportunities at a premium.

Cappawhite, however, were getting the better of a number of important individual battles.

Philip Gantley produced an excellent man-marking performance on Mark Kehoe, while Sam Carmody also did a fine job curbing the influence of Barry Kehoe.

Kilsheelan/Kilcash were heavily dependent on the accuracy of Martin Gibbs from placed balls who kept the scoreboard moving with five first-half frees, but Cappawhite were finding scores from a greater variety of sources.

Dara McCarthy opened Cappawhite's account before Conor Martin and Gearoid Ryan followed from play. David Buckley struck twice, Willie Barry also got on the scoresheet, while McCarthy added a free.

That was enough to give Cappawhite a narrow 0-7 to 0-6 advantage at half-time, with neither side having managed to establish any real control.

The game changed dramatically after the restart. Colm O'Dwyer immediately made his presence felt for Cappawhite, landing three points from play during the second half, while McCarthy increasingly became the central figure in their attack.

Dara McCarthy was both scorer and creator, winning frees which he converted, bringing others into the game and providing assists for at least three Cappawhite scores. His defining contribution arrived just over four minutes into the second half.

The Cappawhite attacker fielded a high ball superbly before driving forward and finishing low to goalkeeper Oisin O'Donoghue's left. It was a hugely important goal and gave Cappawhite the momentum they needed.

Kilsheelan/Kilcash responded quickly. Barry Kehoe found the net three minutes later to keep the contest very much alive, but their difficulty manufacturing scores from open play ultimately proved costly.

They finished with just 1-4 from play, with Gibbs accounting for 0-9 of their 1-12 total, eight of those points coming from placed balls.

Cappawhite, by contrast, carried a greater attacking threat. McCarthy finished with 1-7, including 1-2 from play, while O'Dwyer's three second-half points were hugely valuable. Conor Martin and David Buckley contributed two points apiece.

McCarthy continued to drive Cappawhite forward in the closing stages. He landed points from a free and from play before converting a late 65 to put the result beyond doubt.

Kilsheelan/Kilcash had opportunities but their shooting let them down, finishing with 12 wides compared with Cappawhite's seven. That lack of efficiency, particularly from play, proved decisive.

For Cappawhite, it was a strong knockout championship performance built on their work without the ball, important defensive match-ups and the attacking influence of Dara McCarthy.

Player of the Match: Dara McCarthy (Cappawhite)

Cappawhite: Anthony Barry (7); Philip Gantley (8), Mikey O'Brien (7), Jack Ryan (7); Gearoid Ryan (0-1, 7), Sam Carmody (8), Kevin Stapleton (7); David Buckley (0-2, 8), Brendan Murphy (Capt 8); Colm O'Dw0-2, yer (0-3, 8), Willie Barry (0-1, 6), Conor Martin (7); Daire Duggan (6), Darragh O'Hora (6), Dara McCarthy (1-7, 0-5f, 9).

Subs: Ryan Renehan (6) for Duggan (50); Cathal Martin (NR) for Gantley (59).

Kilsheelan/Kilcash: Oisin O'Donoghue (7); Sean Ryan (7), Jason Madigan (6), Lucas Shiel (6); Paul Maher (8), Mark Stokes (7), Emmet Butler (7); Billy O'Connor (6), Tommy O'Connor (0-1, 7); Jamie Roche (J-Capt 6), Barry Kehoe (J-Capt 1-1, 7), Senan Butler 0-1, (6); Mark Kehoe (6), Martin Gibbs (0-9, 8f, 8), Michael Freaney (7).

Subs: Eoin Kehoe (7) for Maher (32); Mike McGuire (6) for Roche (52).

Referee: Alan Graham (Roscrea).