Dominant Kilsheelan too strong for Ballinahinch

Kilsheelan-Kilcash1-23

Ballinahinch 1-12

Report: James Hayden in Dundrum

A dominant Kilsheelan-Kilcash proved too strong for Ballinahinch who finished with thirteen-men following an entertaining, yet one-sided County Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final on Saturday afternoon.

Ballinahinch endured a tough outing against a physical Kilsheelan side bristling with serious attacking options in the guise of Mark Kehoe, Martin Gibbs, and Barry Kehoe and from the get-go it was evident the South side were going to provide formidable opposition for the Northmen.

Kilsheelan, minus the services of captain David Corcoran, dominated the opening quarter with early points from Mark Stokes and Jamie Roche cancelling out Ballinahinch points from Davy Gleeson (free) and Kevin Mulcahy.

Kilsheelan’s pacy attack clearly caused Ballinahinch early problems and it came as no surprise when Tipp panellist Mark Kehoe rattled the net on five minutes.

The influential Martin Gibbs proved unerring from frees throughout and two placed balls from the impressive Kilsheelan centre-forward coupled with two fantastic efforts from Mark Kehoe and another from Barry Kehoe put Kilsheelan well and truly in the driving seat with just ten minutes elapsed, 1-7 to 0-2.

Patrick Larkin’s side led 1-9 to 0-4 at the first water break but credit to Ballinahinch they lifted their game for the second quarter and noticeably upped their workrate.

A brace from full-forward, Davy Gleeson narrowed the gap for the men in saffron and blue before a 29th minute goal from Gleeson following great work by Shane McGrath, John Foley and the hard-working Alan Kelly afforded Ballinahinch a semblance of hope.

Kilsheelan’s Martin Gibbs responded with a point from a penalty within sixty seconds after Barry Kehoe was dragged to the ground to ensure his side led by 1-13 to 1-7 at the interval.

Both sides made switches at the break with Ballinahinch introducing Brendan Ryan and Kilsheelan introducing Eoghan Kelly, but Kilsheelan still held all the aces as the second half began.

Kilsheelan maintained their interval lead throughout the third quarter and added to it also to lead 1-18 to 1-10 at the second water break. Points from Bill Maher and Mark Stokes got the ball rolling.

Ballinahinch retorted with frees from Shane McGrath and Davy Gleeson, but Kilsheelan kept the umpire busy with points from Martin Gibbs (free) and a fantastic long-range effort from centre-back Bill Maher firing his side eight points clear with 42 minutes elapsed.

Ballinahinch were dealt a hammer blow minutes later when midfielder, Darragh McGrath received a straight red card for a needless late pull across the inrushing Mark Kehoe.

The sending-off effectively killed off any aspirations Ballinahinch had of a late comeback, but they refused to die soft and battled right throughout the final quarter.

Matters did get a little fractious as the game petered to a close with Shane McGrath receiving his marching orders following a second yellow card on 58 minutes.

Kilsheelan fired four without reply in the closing stages to see the South side run out deserving eleven-point victors.

Impressive for Kilsheelan were Martin Gibbs, Mark Kehoe, Barry Kehoe, Paul Maher, and Bill Maher while Alan Kelly and Davy Gleeson caught the eye for Ballinahinch.

Player of the Match: Martin Gibbs (Kilsheelan/Kilcash)

Kilsheelan-Kilcash: Tadgh Lonergan (7), Kevin Guiry (7), Eoin Kehoe (7), Jason Madigan (7); Bill Maher (0-1, 7), Paul Maher (0-3, 8), Billy O’Connor (7); Sean Ryan (6), Mark Stokes (0-2, 8); Barry Kehoe (0-2, 7), Martin Gibbs (0-11 (7f, 1 ‘65, 1 pen) 8), Mark Kehoe (1-3, 8); Emmet Butler (7), Jamie Roche (0-1, 7), Sean Martin (7).

Subs: Eoghan Kelly (7) for Ryan (HT); Aidan Keane (6) for Roche (49); Tommy Ryan (NR) for Butler (60).

Ballinahinch: Donnacha McGrath (7), Paddy Kelly (7), Thomas Grace (7), Cathal Ryan (7); Kevin Fitzpatrick (7), Shane McGrath (0-3f, 7), Karl Kelly (7); Darragh McGrath (6), Ger Grace (7); Adam Ryan (6), John Foley (6), Kevin Mulcahy (0-1, 7); Joey Kelly (6), Davy Gleeson (1-4 (0-3f) 7), Alan Kelly (0-3, 7).

Subs: Brendan Ryan (6) for A Ryan (HT); Brendan Hourigan (6) for Mulcahy (36); Brian Keane (0-1, 6) for J Kelly (48).

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne-Templetouhy).