Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 2 round-up

By Liam Hogan

GROUP 1

Kilsheelan/Kilcash 4-20 Portroe 2-14

It may be two wins out of two for Kilsheelan-Kilcash but the manner of the win made everybody stand up and take notice off following this decisive victory over North champions Portroe at St Michael’s Park, Holycross on Sunday evening.

Leading from start to finish, by the 20th minute, Kilsheelan were 0-10 to 0-4 to the good with Mark Kehoe, Martin Gibbs (0-8) and Barry Kehoe (0-5) in fine form. Sam Madden (2) plus Michael Creamer and Cian Hogan made up the Portroe contribution.

As the half progressed, Creamer’s goal helped eat into the Kilsheelan lead and by half time 0-12 to 1-7 in favour of the South men.

Four minutes into the second half, Kilsheelan had moved into a seven point lead when Mark Kehoe (2-4) scored a goal.

Portroe were in serious trouble and further goals by Kehoe and Senan Butler (1-2) saw the margin was out to eleven with Brian Keating, Cian Hogan (0-2) and Oisin O’Connor keeping the scoreboard ticking over for Port.

The final quarter was almost score for score with Kilsheelan securing their fourth goal through James Roche while Michael Creamer (2-1) doubled his green flag account to make him top-scorer four the North champions.

Portroe take on Clonoulty/Rossmore in round three while Kilsheelan face Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams who defeated Clonoulty Rossmore 2-26 to 3-16 in the other second round group game with all still to play for.

GROUP 2

Arravale Rovers 2-21 Shannon Rovers 1-22

A brilliant second half performance by Shannon Rovers almost saw them snatch a late victory before Conor Donovan’s injury time goal helped Arravale Rovers to a two point victory in a pulsating County Intermediate Hurling Championship encounter at Lacken Park, Newport on Sunday evening.

It was the battle of the sharp-shooters with Conal Moran 0-13 (4 frees, 3’65s) and Orrin Jones 0-11 (5 frees) battling for supremacy. There were many more who shone in a game where both sides were hoping to claim their second championship win in the hope of making the knockout stage

Jones commanded the game in the opening eight minutes scoring four points, two from play, as Arravale led 0-5 to 0-1. Moran’s point plus a brilliant individual goal by Eamon Hough had Shannon Rovers level by the ninth minute.

With Sean O’Mahoney, Eoghan Lonergan and Cormac Maher taking any opportunity, Arravale went three to the good before points by Eamon Hough and Conal Moran (2) had sides level 0-9 to 1-6 after twenty minutes.

Arravale certainly showed more potential and were two points in front by half time 0-13 to 1-8, a two point lead that could have been more but for the twelve wides recorded by the West champions.

Arravale marched forward in the opening minutes of the second half and led 1-6 to 1-11 by the 37th minute. However, Shannon Rovers had different plans and throughout the next twenty minutes, led by Matt Tierney, outscored their opponents 0-9 to 0-3 thanks to well-taken scores by Emmet Moran, John O’Meara and Andy Byrne.

Rovers spurned two goal chances with Emmett Moran hitting a rocket off the crossbar while Austin Tierney was denied by Paddy O’Donnell from close range. Tierney soon made amends with back-to-back points to give the North men a 1-20 to 1-19 lead with five minutes left.

Jaye Cilvinas levelled before Conal Moran had Shannon Rovers back in front before another Jones free levelled matters in added time before Conor Donovan’s goal made the difference.

The win sees Arravale Rovers as group winners ahead of their final game against Carrick Davins who are destined for another relegation battle after defeat to Clonakenny who face Shannon Rovers in a winner-takes-all encounter.

GROUP 3

Ballingarry secured passage to the quarter finals as group winners thanks to their 3-17 to 1-11 win over Cappawhite at New Inn on Friday. Holycross/Ballycahill drew with Skeheenarinky 4-12 to 1-21 in Golden on Sunday.

Ballingarry meet Holycross/Ballycahill in their final game and should complete their schedule with full points. The game involving Cappawhite and Skeheenarinky will be the decisive ones.

GROUP 4

Borrisokane 2-20 Newport 1-17

Borrisokane made two wins out of two when defeating Newport at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh on Sunday afternoon.

The Mulcair men played with the wind in the first half and started well with points by Conor McLoughlin and Charlie Tobin before Liam Cleary replied with a brace for Borrisokane.

Following an exchange of points, a well-worked move by Borrisokane saw Donal Cleary finish the ball to the net.

Newport responded with a Colin Floyd (1-3) goal which allowed them to take a four-point lead, one that might have been greater but for ten first half wides which allowed Borrisokane to fight back and level at half time at 1-9 each.

Borris scored first in the second half through Ciaran Foley (0-3) before Conor (0-3) & Thomas Floyd replied for Newport. The Lower Ormond men then hit a purple patch with three points by Michael Heenan (0-6) before Oisin Larkin (1-9) scored a great goal.

Newport rallied and cut the deficit to one before Borrisokane finished on the front foot with five unanswered points to win by six.

Borrisokane are group winners and face Ballybacon/Grange in a dead-rubber third round game with the South men headed for relegation while Newport face Moyle Rovers in a winner-takes all clash.