Kilshannig defeat Aghabullogue in epic PIFC final replay 

Kilshannig: 2-10 

Aghabullogue: 1-9 

At the second time of asking, Kilshannig have got the better of Aghabullogue in the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC final replay at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday evening.

The sides played out a thriller last weekend, and this one was just as good. It was exciting and kept the crowd entertained right to the end. The Avondhu side had just that little bit more firepower to get over the line, but it was a case of fine margins. It’s Kilshannig’s second title in three seasons after winning the IAFC in 2022 as they rejoin the senior ranks for the first time in over 30 years.

Aghabullogue’s quest to complete back-to-back county titles comes to an end at the last hurdle, but with a young and fearless team, they will be looking to bounce back in 2025.

It was another enjoyable contest helped by referee Alan O’Connor leaving the game flow.

Kilshannig were on the front foot right from the off, with Éanna O’Hanlon slotting over a point after 21 seconds. Kilshannig had a great goal chance after three minutes, Tom Cunningham’s pass opened up the Aghabullogue defence, but the aforementioned Éanna O’Hanlon wasn’t able to raise a green flag. His well struck effort went narrowly wide from close range.

The Coachford-based outfit did draw parity when Matthew Bradley converted a close in free, but they were playing second fiddle at this juncture. Éanna O’Hanlon was on so much ball and he had a second goal chance after five minutes, but his goal bound shot was blocked by Paul Dilworth.

Adam Murphy did nudge Aghabullogue in front for the first and last time in the game. Kilshannig then went on a scoring spree, hitting 2-2 in two minutes. Colm O’Shea and Alan O’Connell with the points while Éanna O’Hanlon and Diarmuid O’Sullivan got the goals in the eleventh and twelfth minutes respectively. The first green flag was well worked, which resulted in Killian O’Hanlon setting up the goal scorer. The second goal was an element of good fortune. Darragh O’Sullivan’s effort came back off the post and the ball fell nicely for Diarmuid O’Sullivan.

Aghabullogue responded quickly with a goal of their own after 13 minutes when Luke Casey toe poked the ball home following a scramble in the box. The sides then traded points as Denis Reen’s team led 2-4 to 1-3 after 19 minutes.

After a relentless start, the match slowed down to a certain degree. A Éanna O’Hanlon mark extended his side’s advantage with five minutes to the break only for John Corkery to point two minutes later.

Kilshannig finished the half strong with a pair of Darragh O’Sullivan efforts, one which was a mark, 2-7 to 1-4 at half-time.

Ray Keane’s team required a bright start to the new half and they got it through an Aaron O’Sullivan free and then two Bradley efforts, one which was a free. Sandwiched between the Bradley points, Kilshannig’s Bill Curtin picked up a black card after 41 minutes. Game on with a quarter left, 2-7 to 1-7.

But, Kilshannig did brilliantly while they were down to 14 players for ten minutes as they led 2-9 to 1-8 when Curtin came back on.

A free from Aghabullogue sub David Thompson left a goal in it with six minutes remaining, but Kilshannig’s game management was outstanding. There were no further scores until added time when Darragh O’Sullivan curled over a beauty of a free for Kilshannig. The insurance score for the men from Avondhu as they claim county glory.

Scorers for Kilshannig: E O’Hanlon 1-2 (0-1 m), Darragh O’Sullivan 0-5 (0-3 f, 0-1 m), Diarmuid O’Sullivan 1-0, C O’Shea 0-2, A O’Connell 0-1.

Aghabullogue: L Casey 1-1, M Bradley 0-3 (0-2 f), A O’Sullivan 0-2 (0-1 f), J Corkery, D Thompson (f), A Murphy 0-1 each.

KILSHANNIG: G Creedon; S O’Connell, E Burke, B Curtin; E Healy, C O’Shea (c), C Murphy; T Cunningham, C O’Sullivan; C O’Connell, K O’Hanlon, A O’Connell; E O’Hanlon, Darragh O’Sullivan, Diarmuid O’Sullivan.

Subs: K Twomey for Diarmuid O’Sullivan (42), S Murphy for C O’Connell (48), C McMahon for A O’Connell (58), M Twomey for E Healy (59).

AGHABULLOGUE: I O’Sullivan; C Smith, M Dennehy, P Dilworth; B O’Sullivan, T Long, A Murphy; C Gillespie, D Merrick; P O’Sullivan, J Corkery (c), A O’Sullivan; M Bradley, E O’Sullivan, L Casey.

Subs: S Tarrant for P Dilworth (28, inj), D Thompson for P O’Sullivan (47), J Lane for C Gillespie, C O’Sullivan for E O’Sullivan (both 58).

Referee: Alan O’Connor (Ballygarvan).