Kilruane consign ‘Church to relegation trapdoor final

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Relegation Semi-Finals

Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-18

Upperchurch/Drombane 0-20

Report: James Hayden in Dolla

Kilruane MacDonaghs ended what has been a season to forget for the reigning county champions with victory over Upperchurch-Drombane in a well-contested County Senior Hurling relegation semi-final on Sunday.

Having disappointed throughout this campaign, Kilruane went into this clash in no doubt as to the perils of losing to a determined Upperchurch side in what was a repeat of last year’s county semi-final proper.

Their management team asked for one last effort in order to extricate their side from the relegation mire, and it was effort they got as their big guns duly stood up to ensure senior status for the club for the 2024 season.

Upperchurch/Drombane pushed the reigning champions to the pin of their collar though, pegging back a six-point interval deficit to draw level by the 46th minute. Kilruane always appeared the slicker side throughout and their scores appeared to come more freely those from the ‘Church, an observation that really shone through in the closing quarter as they outscored Jim Ryan’s charges 1-4 to 0-2.

Following a minute's silence for Kilruane stalwart Johnny Keogh prior to throw-in, the opening quarter proved a nip-and-tuck affair with Kilruane opening up an early advantage with points from Niall O’Meara, Seamus Hennessy and Aaron Morgan. Upperchurch were back on terms quickly though with Padraig Greene (free), Luke Shanahan and Diarmaid Grant all on target before Willie Cleary (free) and Cian Darcy struck for Kilruane.

Once more, the ‘Church responded with the impressive Aaron & Pat Ryan quickly restoring parity. Upperchurch were beginning to show signs of strain though in their half-back line and it wasn’t long before Kilruane embarked on an unanswered six-point run between the 19th & 27th minutes. This period of dominance fired Kilruane into a 0-12 to 0-6 lead with Aaron Morgan, Willie Cleary (4 frees) and the influential Kieran Cahill all on target.

Kilruane appeared to be cruising at this juncture but once more the ‘Church hit back with Padraig Green (free), Diarmaid Grant and Gavin Ryan (long-range free) whittling the gap down to three before Kilruane were handed a timely fillip right on the cusp of half-time when Willie Cleary netted with aplomb to ensure his side took a 1-12 to 0-9 lead to the dressing room.

Upperchurch were by no means going to let themselves be consigned to a relegation trapdoor final though without a fight and back they came at Kilruane with gusto. Although Kieran Cahill had added to Kilruane’s tally straight from the throw-in, points from Aaron Ryan, Padraig Green (two frees) and Luke Shanahan narrowed the gap to just three points by the 39th minute, 1-13 to 0-13.

Willie Cleary (free) retorted with a point from a placed ball for Kilruane but four points on the bounce from Paul Shanahan, Niall Grant, and Padraig Green (1 free) brought the ‘Church level at 1-14 apiece with a quarter of an hours hurling still remaining.

As if almost stung into life Kilruane responded in clinical fashion with Aaron Morgan and Willie Cleary (free) both on target before Kian O’Kelly set up the unmarked Seamus Hennessy on the edge of the square for a tap-in goal from close-range.

Once more the ‘Church went to the well with Padraig Green (free) and Luke Shanahan cutting the deficit to just two points. Upperchurch’s race appeared to be run at this stage though and as their challenge noticeably waned Kilruane went for the jugular with Jerome Cahill and Kieran Cahill delivering the fatal blows and duly consigned Upperchurch-Drombane to a relegation battle royale with mid counterparts, JK Brackens.

Impressive for Kilruane were Niall O’Meara, Kieran Cahill, Seamus Hennessy, Willie Cleary, Aaron Morgan, and Jerome Cahill while Aaron Ryan, Diarmaid Grant, Padraig Greene, Luke Shanahan and Gavin Ryan were to the fore for the ‘Church.

Player of the Match: Niall O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs).

Kilruane MacDonaghs: Paidi Williams (7); Jack Peters (7), Craig Morgan (7), James Cleary (7); Eoin Hogan (7), Niall O’Meara (0-2, 8), Conor Austin (7); Aaron Morgan (0-3, 8), Seamus Hennessy (1-1, 7); Jerome Cahill (0-1, 7), Kieran Cahill (0-3, 8), Kian O’Kelly (7); Conor Cleary (7), Willie Cleary (1-7 (0-6f, 0-1 65) 8), Cian Darcy (0-1, 7).

Subs: Jack Mulcahy (NR) for Darcy (57); Éanna Hogan (NR) for K Cahill (60+4).

Upperchurch/Drombane: Ciaran Shortt (7), Michael Lavery (7), Ger Grant (7), AJ Shanahan (7); Keith Ryan (7), Gavin Ryan (0-1f, 7), Ailbe O’Donoghue (7); Colm Ryan (7), Aaron Ryan (0-2, 8); Paddy Phelan (7), Diarmuid Grant (0-3, 8), Paul Shanahan (7); Luke Shanahan (0-3, 7), Padraig Greene (0-8, 7f, 7), Pat Ryan (0-1, 7).

Subs: Dean Carew (7) for AJ Shanahan (30+3); Niall Grant (0-2, 7) for C Ryan (40); Michael Griffin (NR) for D Grant (57); Conor Fahy (NR) for L Shanahan (60+1).

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Newcastle).