Blarney book semi-final spot with defeat of spirited Killeagh in six goal thriller
Blarney's Cian Barrett fires the ball to the Killeagh net past Philip O'Neill, during their Senior AHC quarter-final at Midleton. Picture: David Keane.
As expected – Blarney overcame Killeagh to go on to the Senior A Hurling Championship semi-finals, but it wasn’t the comfortable win predicted.
Every step of the way, Killeagh took the game to the favourites in Midleton on Sunday.
In the end, Blarney held out to win by four, setting up a repeat of their semi-final clash with Bride Rovers.
Leading 2-11 to 2-10, Killeagh started well on the restart, with Colm Leahy pointing.
But Blarney hit the next four points, with Eoghan Kirby scoring first before Barrett hit three from placed balls.
Another point from Kirby preceded their third goal, with Padraig Power the provider as Denis McSweeney had a simple finish unmarked, 3-15 to 2-13.
Again, Killeagh hit back.
Similarly to their first goal – Ryan McCarthy’s sideline cut flew in. Colm Leahy couldn’t catch it, but he was able to get a strike away – pulling on it from close range.
It bounced awkwardly into the net. Two point game, 18 minutes to go.
But again, Blarney reeled off four in a row, going 3-19 to 3-13 ahead after 52 minutes.
Killeagh responded with three in a row, and with a late chance at goal that was cut out by Blarney’s Seán Crowley, they couldn’t turn it around.
It’s a heartbreaking defeat to Killeagh who put up a huge fight – but Blarney’s inter-county quality told, and they made their mark right from the off.
Coleman – who was everywhere for Blarney in the first half, picked out Cian Barrett with a pass. Under pressure from two Killeagh defendersl Barrett was lucky to get away with the ball.
He cut in towards goal and made no mistake, firing Blarney in front after two minutes.
An excellent free from Ryan McCarthy inside his own 45 got Killeagh off the mark, but Kirby replied for Blarney.
In the fifth minute, Padraig Power made an incredible catch right on the edge of the Killeagh square under pressure from Alan Keniry. On his knees, he struck it one handed and into the back of the net.
A jaw-dropping finish.
It looked like Blarney would run riot – but Killeagh had their say.
In the tenth minute, Ryan McCarthy’s sideline landed deep in the Blarney area, and David Buckley pulled on it. His strike was blocked by Conor Power, but Shane Smiddy was there to knock home the rebound, 2-2 to 1-2.
Game on.
An excellent point from Ciarán Leahy on the quarter-hour mark cut the gap to four, and as they did against Inniscarra – the McCarthy brothers delivered once again.
Dylan, the provider, as he set up Ryan, the finisher.
The Killeagh wing-forward was unmarked and reduced the distance to goal before blasting it into the top corner, 2-4 to 2-3.
From the Blarney puckout, Dylan McCarthy won the ball and offloaded to Dinny Walsh, who picked out his brother Andy – and he sent it between the posts from a long way out.
Draw game.
By the 22nd minute Killeagh would find themselves two in front, but they couldn’t pull ahead. Seven first half wides didn’t help that cause.
Blarney battled back to level it, and as the teams began trading scores they would draw level six times, before Seán Long’s point put Killeagh in front before half-time.
Despite a rock solid display from Dinny Walsh at the back, and an immense effort Killeagh would eventually be beaten in the second half.
S Barrett 0-7 (0-5 f 0-1 65), P Power 1-2, C Barrett, D McSweeney 1-1 each, E Kirby 0-4, C McCarthy 0-3, P Crowley 0-2.
D McCarthy 0-8 (0-7 f), R McCarthy 1-2 (0-1 f), Colm Leahy 1-1, S Smiddy 1-0, S Long 0-2, A Walsh, Ciarán Leahy, R Long 0-1 each.
P Hallissey; A McEvoy, C Power, S Mullane; P Philpott, P Crowley, M Coleman (Cpt); O Hegarty, C Hegarty; D McSweeney, S Barrett, E Kirby, C Barrett, P Power, C McCarthy.
S Crowley for Mullane (47), S Mulcahy for Kirby (55), J O’Keeffe for McCarthy (60+1).
P O’Neill; B Delaney, D Hogan, A Keniry; R Sinclair, D Walsh (JCpt), A Walsh; S Long (JCpt), Ciarán Leahy; R McCarthy, R Long, S Smiddy; D Buckley, Colm Leahy, D McCarthy.
G Leahy for Keniry (45), A Leahy for Buckley (55).
Aidan Hyland (Kilworth)
App?
