McDonagh's green flags help Killimordaly make short work of disappointing Meelick/Eyrecourt

Killimordaly 2-14Meelick/Eyrecourt 1-10

STEPHEN GLENNON AT DUGGAN PARK

KILLIMORDALY produced a performance of some style and substance to book their place in the county intermediate hurling decider, when dispatching of an out-of-sorts Meelick/Eyrecourt outfit in this disappointing semi-final at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on Sunday.

Indeed, once Conor McDonagh netted the first of his two goals on 20 minutes – to put the victors into a five-point lead – it was difficult to see a way back for Meelick/Eyrecourt, particularly as they would also have to face the elements in the second period.

As for Killimordaly’s part, they had looked assured in that opening period, playing a brand of hurling that was sharp, concise and easy on the eye. Right throughout the team, there was a swagger and confidence – no more so than in defenders Declan Connolly and Conor Daly, midfielder Eanna Ryan and forwards Andrew Daly and Clement Earls.

After a scrappy start, the game began to come to life when Niall Earls and Eanna Ryan traded scores with Eyrecourt duo Niall Lynch (free) and midfielder Brendan Lucas in the opening seven minutes. At this stage, it looked as if a classic might be in store.

However, in the remainder of the half, Killimordaly outscored their opponents by 1-7 to 0-2, with McDonagh netting that opening goal on 20 minutes. A succinct ball into the inside line by wing-forward Tommy Madden found Clement Earls and while his initial effort was brilliantly saved by Eyrecourt custodian Damien McDermott, the goalkeeper could do little to prevent McDonagh’s follow up.

While, in retrospect, that goal all but killed off the contest – remarkable, at such an early stage – the writing was on the wall for Eyrecourt even earlier when lively half-forward Andrew Daly hit three super points, one after the other, between the ninth and 16th minutes. 

Daly’s contribution was, in itself, a statement of intent and with the wily Clement Earls (2) and Ryan (two frees) adding further efforts in the second quarter, it drove Killimordaly into a commanding 1-9 to 0-4 lead by the half-time break.

Of course, Meelick/Eyrecourt’s problem in that half was that not one of their starting forwards was able to find the target from play and this, by and large, was a dilemma that continued to haunt them in the second period. Added to this, they could not make the ball stick to hand, with possession too often cheaply coughed up.

In fairness to Noel Larkin’s outfit, they did attempt to arrest the slide on the restart, with Lynch hitting three efforts from placed balls – the first coming from a 65 after Killimordaly ‘keeper Paul Kilkenny spilled possession and almost gifted the inrushing forwards the present of a goal.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.