Brannigan’s half dozen seals it

Kilconieron         1-11

HAVING already captured the U-21 B hurling crown earlier in the year, the Rahoon/Salthill underage amalgamation are now on the verge of adding the Minor B title following a hard fought victory in testing conditions over a gallant Kilconieron side on Saturday.

Playing with the aid of a stiff, bitterly cold wind that swept across Kenny Park, Rahoon/Salthill took full advantage of the elements in the opening quarter to register six points without reply, and while Kilconieron rallied midway through the half, county minor Eamonn Brannigan produced a stellar display in the opening half and was pivotal to his side having a seven-point half time advantage.

The midfielder, already with a Minor B football winner’s medal to his name with St. Michael’s, pounced for six points from play, and was the main difference between the sides. Whether in his composed point taking or clever use of possession, Kilconieron had no one to curb Brannigan’s influence and although they got within four points at the end, Padraic Hannon’s late goal was little more than consolatory.

The Rahoon/Salthill goal, bagged 14 minutes from time by substitute Shane Kelly, restored their seven point cushion as Dave Mangan’s impressively accurate free-taking threatened to kick-start a Kilconieron revival. A crucial save, however, from Rahoon/Salthill ‘keeper Joe McNamara kept Kilconieron at arm’s length, and a fine second half showing from Eoin Kennedy helped the city side over the line.

The only bright point for Kilconieron to emerge from the opening quarter came when Rahoon/Salthill’s Andy Dunne fired for goal from a close-in free on nine minutes but his shot was repelled by a defender on the line. A goal at that point may well have sunk any hopes they had, but they were still in choppy waters as Brannigan tore through the heart of their defence almost at will.

Two surging runs ended in points, with another crisply struck after Dunne’s saved free was not properly cleared. Dunne added two himself and Kennedy drove over another, but thankfully Kilconieron responded resiliently with an important five minute spell in which they cut the gap to two thanks to points from Mangan (two frees), Padraic Hannon, and Evan Cannon.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.