Confusion surrounds full time score of Galway Premier Intermediate Hurling final
A highly entertaining premier intermediate hurling final finished on level terms in Athenry on Saturday afternoon, after a thrilling conclusion saw Mullagh and Kilconieron’s battle end all square, 2-17 to 1-20. The sides will have to face off again this Saturday at the same venue (1:45pm) to decide the destination of the Mick Sylver Cup for 2026.
For the majority of this final, it looked like Mullagh would secure a comfortable victory. With eight minutes of normal time remaining in the second half, Gerry Spellman’s charges held a ten point lead. However, a Shane Caulfield-inspired Kilconieron side mounted a terrific comeback, which was sparked by the full forward blasting a 21 yard free to the Mullagh net.
Caulfield’s goal had the effect of jump starting Kilconieron’s engine, after which they came roaring into life. Ollie Bergin’s charges subsequently struck 1-5 without reply, which saw them remarkably take the lead in injury time. Mullagh needed Conor Dolphin to rescue a draw with a last minute free, which was certainly difficult to credit given the manner in which they had dominated the contest for the best part of fifty minutes.
A half time score board controversy was a major talking point in the aftermath of this final. Most observers in Kenny Park had noted a half time score at 1-12 to 0-7 in favour of Mullagh. However, referee Kerril Wade’s view was that Mullagh had registered a tally of 1-13 in the first half, and thus the score was changed before the second half commenced.
Kilconieron displayed tremendous resolve to dig deep in the face of significant adversity, as they rescued a cause which appeared lost late in the game. As it happened, Ollie Bergin’s charges made the better start to the first half and led by 0-3 to 0-1 after five minutes of action.
Conor Dolphin registered Mullagh’s opening point, before scores from Seán Connaughton, Shane Caufield (free), and Seán Burke gave Kilconieron an early lead. An impressive effort from Ronan Glennon at the other end reduced the margin, before Mullagh tallied the opening goal of the game.
Dolphin intercepted a misplaced short puck out, before going through on goal and finishing past Shane Murray. Davy Glennon registered his first point shortly after, giving Mullagh a 1-3 to 0-3 lead.
Caulfield soon tallied his second free, but Mullagh replied with two scores coming from Liam Curley and Ronan Glennon (free). A good effort from Stephen Keane from the right corner made it 1-5 to 0-5, before Keane was set up for a goal chance shortly after.
A pass from Caulfield put him through on goal, but Keane’s shot was well saved by Mullagh ‘keeper Eric Ward. Kilconieron soon narrowed the margin with points from Eoghan Mulleady and Caulfield (free), before Mullagh had a purple patch.
Spellman’s side struck seven consecutive scores during the remainder of the first half, with seven different players contributing. Seán Hardiman, Ronan Glennon (free), Oisín Coen, Curley, Dolphin, Shay Glennon, and Damien Monaghan all raised white flags during a very impressive spell to give Mullagh an eight point half-time lead.
Their lead became nine without pucking a ball during the interval, and they soon added to their tally on the field when the play resumed. Points from Davy Glennon and Keith Coen stretched Mullagh’s lead to eleven, and Kilconieron appeared to have a mountain to climb.
Three converted frees from Caulfield were timely and badly needed, leaving the score at 1-15 to 0-10. However, Mullagh upped their game during the next five minutes, outscoring Kilconieron by 0-3 to 0-1. Scores from Hardiman, Davy Glennon, and Dolphin (free), extended their lead, while Caulfield pointed his seventh free at the other end.
Ten points separated the sides on the fiftieth minute, and Mullagh looked to be cruising to the title. Scores were soon exchanged by Caulfield, an impressive effort from play, and Curley at the other end, before Kilconieron were awarded a 21 yard free.
Caulfield produced a superb strike to rattle the Mullagh net, and in the process, sparked Kilconieron into life. Keane soon pointed, before Caulfield’s long delivery landed in the Mullagh square, where it was met by Mulleady’s first time pull, which sent the bouncing sliotar to the net.
The momentum had swung, and scores followed for Ian McGlynn, Mulleady, and Caulfield (free) which levelled the contest entering injury time. Two minutes later, a foul on Daniel Keane near the halfway line resulted in Caulfield tallying his ninth free and giving Kilconieron the lead.
Mullagh had gone ten minutes without a score, and it was veteran substitute Cathal Dervan who crucially won possession before managing to draw a foul. Dolphin held his nerve to send the intermediate final to a replay.
On the day, Mullagh had impressive performances from Eric Ward, Shay Glennon, Seán Hardiman, Ronan Glennon, Liam Curley, Davy Glennon, and Conor Dolphin.
Kilconieron were best served by Oscar O’Gorman, Niall Martin, Ultan McGlynn, Shane Caulfield, Ian McGlynn, Eoghan Mulleady, and Stephen Keane.
Mullagh: E. Ward; S. Glennon (0-1), L. Kennedy, S. O’Brien; O. Coen (0-1), S. Hardiman (0-2), R. Glennon (0-3, 0-2 frees); S. Cahalan, C. Kennedy; D. Monaghan (0-1), D. Glennon (0-3), D. Finnerty; K. Coen (0-1), L. Curley (0-3), C. Dolphin (1-4, 0-2 frees). Subs: C. Dervan for Monaghan (53), E. Gaffney for K. Coen (62).
Kilconieron: S. Murray; A. Evans, P. Martin, N. Martin; O. O’Gorman, D. Keane, U. McGlynn; S. Burke (0-1), I. McGlynn (0-1); K. Burke, S. Caulfield (1-10, 1-9 frees), E. Mulleady (1-2); S. Connaughton (0-1), E. McGlynn, S. Keane (0-2). Subs: J. Walsh for E. McGlynn (32), R. Burke for S. Connaughton (38), C. Connaughton for K. Burke (46), L. Keary for D. Keane (62).
Referee: Kerril Wade.