Kilshanning survive extra time to squeeze past Iveleary and into PIFC final

Kilshannig 2-11 Iveleary 1-11 (extra time)

The McCarthy Insurance Group Cork PIFC final awaits Kilshannig after surviving this mammoth extra-time tussle with Iveleary on Saturday.

Kilshannig showed deep levels of resolve and strong determination to oversee the challenge of a talented Iveleary outfit.

A Darragh O'Sullivan point for Kilshannig opened the scoring in this particular contest, before Cathal Vaughan responded with a placed ball for the Muskerry side in the fifth minute.

A good score by Timmy Roberts then put Iveleary into the lead, before Kilshannig levelled through another point by O’Sullivan.

Darragh O’Sullivan added to his tally to put Kilshannig 0-3 to 0-2 ahead in the 20th minute.

Iveleary saw plenty of possession in the opening half but Kilshannig did their best to contain them. Points by Vaughan and a lovely point by Conor O’Leary put Iveleary back into the lead.

Kilshannig got yet another point through a peach of a score by O’Sullivan to level things up once more. That was before Iveleary ensured they held the lead at the break, 0-5 to 0-4, when Conor O’Leary landed a fine effort.

A point by Ian Jones extended the Iveleary lead. That was before a twist in the tale, as Kieran Twomey blasted to the back of the net from close range to edge Kilshannig ahead.

That set things up nicely for a cracking second half.

On 46 minutes Iveleary struck for a goal of their own. It was a real moment of quality by Chris Óg Jones, who showed deft footwork to finish well from a lovely pass by Aaron O’Donovan. Iveleary led 1-9 to 1-5 on 55 minutes and appeared county final bound.

But Kilshannig refused to throw the towel. They got late points in stoppage time through O’Sullivan and Tom Cunningham, to see the sides level at 1-9 apiece and extra time required to determine the victor.

Scores by Alan O'Connell and Eanna O'Hanlon put Kilshannig back ahead, before Chris Óg Jones pointed for Iveleary to leave just a point between the teams at half time in extra time.

Kilshannig sealed the deal in the second half of extra time when Eanna O’Hanlon found the net.

Awaiting for Kilshannig in the final will be Aghabullogue, in what promises to be a compelling battle at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on October 26.

Scorers for Kilshannig: D O’Sullivan 0-7 (0-4 f, 0-1 m), E O’Hanlon 1-2, K Twomey 1-0, T Cunningham, A O’Connell 0-1 each.

Iveleary: C Óg Jones 1-3 (0-3 f), C Vaughan 0-3 (0-1 f, 0-1 45), C O’Leary 0-2, C Galvin, T Roberts, I Jones 0-1 each.

KILSHANNIG: G Creedon; S O’Connell, E Burke, M Twomey; C Murphy, C O’Shea, P Walsh; B Curtin, K O’Hanlon; C O’Connell, C O’Sullivan, T Cunningham; A O’Connell, E O’Hanlon, Darragh O’Sullivan.

Subs: K Twomey for S O’Connell (HT), E Healy for Walsh (40), Diarmuid O’Sullivan for O’Connell (50), C McMahon for M Twomey (55), J Hanlon for O’Sullivan (74), B O’Connor for E O’Hanlon (78).

IVELEARY: J Creedon; B Murphy, D O’Riordan, C Galvin; K Manning, C O’Riordan, D O’Donovan; C O’Leary, T Roberts; A O’Donovan,C Óg Jones , B O’Leary; S O’Riordan, C Vaughan, I Jones.

Subs: K Jones for D O’Donovan (45), L Kearney for Vaughan (50), S Pickering for B O’Leary (59), B O’Leary for A O’Donovan (62), B O’Riordan for C O’Riordan (74).

Referee: Cormac Dineen (Douglas).