Kilconieron come out on top in closely-fought battle with Kinvara

Keane and Eoghan Mulleady, both of whom featured for the St Raphael’s team defeated by St Kieran’s in the Croke Cup quarter-final, played central roles in Kilconieron’s success, the pair combining for an impressive 2-10 between them.

Galway U-20 hurling panelists Dara Burke and Padraig Conole delivered strong performances for Kinvara, who battled admirably throughout despite being reduced to 14 men early in the second half.

There was little between the sides in the opening exchanges, with every ball fiercely contested and both defences holding firm. The teams were level at 0-3 apiece after 11 minutes: Keane, McGlynn, and Mulleady were on target for Kilconieron, while Kinvara sharpshooter Nathan Rodgers contributed three points, two of them from placed balls.

Two further Keane points, one from play and another from a free, put Kilconieron 0-5 to 0-3 ahead by the first-quarter mark. A minute later, Keane opted to go for goal from a 20-metre free and his effort somehow found the back of the net after the Kinvara defence and goalkeeper failed to deal with the sliotar, leaving Gerard Smyth’s side 1-5 to 0-3 in front after 16 minutes.

Kinvara reduced the deficit to three points through Conole and Eli Huban in the 22nd minute, but Mulleady restored some breathing room for Kilconieron. Kinvara continued to press, however, and on 29 minutes, Eli Huban pounced on a loose ball before firing past Shane Murray to leave just a point between the sides at half-time, with Kilconieron leading 1-6 to 1-5.

Kinvara suffered a major setback just a minute into the second-half when Rodgers was shown a second yellow card by referee Shane Briscoe.

Mulleady opened the scoring after the restart, but Kinvara responded superbly. Conole raced through the Kilconieron defence and battled the sliotar past Murray to put Kinvara ahead 2-5 to 1-7 after 35 minutes.

Kilconieron goalkeeper Murray landed a long-range free, but Huban, who was part of the Galway minor hurling panel, responded with a placed ball of his own as Kinvara continued to compete impressively despite being a man down.

Keane then produced a moment of real quality, racing through and superbly finishing past Kinvara goalkeeper Noah Huban to restore Kilconieron’s lead at 2-9 to 2-7 by the third-quarter mark.

McGlynn added his second point to extend the advantage to three, but Huban kept Kinvara within touching distance, leaving them trailing 2-10 to 2-8 with 11 minutes remaining.

The winners began to make better use of their numerical advantage, with Mulleady and Keane adding further scores. Kinvara refused to surrender, though, and points from Burke and Huban reduced the deficit to two.

That was as close as Huban's side would get, as McGlynn and Keane added late scores to secure the victory for Kilconieron.

Both clubs are back in action this weekend: Kilconieron are in a Premier Intermediate preliminary quarter-final against Ahascragh Fohenagh; while Kinvara will look to retain their Premier Intermediate status in the relegation semi-final against Padraig Pearses.

Kilconieron: S Murray (0-1, 0-1f); D Egan, L Keary, E Lyons; E Spellman, R Burke, J Murray; J Noone, E McGlynn (0-4); R Fallon, C Connaughton, E Corban; S Keane (2-5, 1-1f), C Fallon, E Mulleady (0-5, 0-3f). Subs: R Tierney for Corban (40mins).

Kinvara: N Huban; D Mullane, J Leech, A Danjou; D Crossan, D Burke (0-1), S O’Grady; N Rodgers (0-4, 0-2f), E Huban (1-4, 0-3f, 0-165); R Cassidy O’Mairtin, L Danjou, D Ward; M Heaney, D Kavanagh, P Conole (1-1). Subs: H O’Shaughnessy for Ward (46mins).

Referee: Shane Briscoe.