Premier IHC: Kilworth overcome slow start to open with victory over Castlemartyr

Kilworth 1-18

Castlemartyr 1-15

Kilworth came from eight points behind in the first half to see off Castlemartyr in Thursday’s Co-op SuperStores Premier IHC opener at Youghal.

Less a game of two halves than one quarter and three quarters, the north Cork outfit – who survived last year’s relegation play-off against Aghabullogue after a replay – spotted their opponents an eight-point wind-assisted advantage before reeling them in.

While Billy McGann’s 16th-minute goal put Castlemartyr into a 1-7 to 0-2 lead, Kilworth’s immediate response was strong as Liam Óg Hegarty – impeccable from dead balls throughout – pointed a free before Eoin Carey got the second of his four points and Hegarty then set up Brian Sheehan.

Though Ciarán Joyce replied for Castlemartyr, Kilworth had begun to turn the momentum and Leo Coffey might even have made a bigger dent in the deficit with a goal-bound effort that Brian Lawton blocked with his head, but Coffey was on hand to play a key role in scores by Jamie Sheehan, Hegarty and sub Michael Sheehan.

Sheehan, on for the injured Will Condon, had three points in the space of eight minutes after his introduction, including the injury-time effort that left them just three behind, 1-11 to 0-11, at half-time, though they did have reason to be thankful to excellent corner-back Luke Sheehan for a block on an Andrew Kelly goal effort.

Prior to Kilworth’s fightback, Castlemartyr had put themselves well on top, with Mike Kelly’s frees helping them to build the lead before Jack McGann set up his brother Billy for the goal. That was to prove to be the high point for them, though.

Playing with the breeze on the resumption and with the fall of the ground favouring them, Kilworth had the ideal start as Eoin Carey’s delivery fell perfectly for Jamie Sheehan to score an equalising goal – but, as with the Castlemartyr green flag in the first half, the side that had conceded conjured a good riposte as Mike O’Dwyer and Barra Ó Tuama scored points but it was the last time that the east Cork club led.

They were affected by some cheap wides and, while Kilworth opted against a volley of shots despite the strength of the elements, they were able to get on top thanks to Hegarty’s accuracy.

A 65 for him – awarded in the wake of a good James Lawton block on a Noel McNamara shot – had them level at 1-13 each and he was to add three more before Castlemartyr scored again, with the men in white (Kilworth wore black) unable to convert scoreable frees during the middle period of the half.

Sub Eoghan Martin did end a 25-minute scoreless period for Castlemartyr just before the end of normal time and they were back to within a point as Daragh Leahy’s turnover led to a move that ended with a foul on a rampaging Ciarán Joyce run, with Mike Kelly pointing the free.

They were unable to find an equaliser, though, as Kilworth sub Cormac Donnellan gave them breathing space again before Eoin Carey capped a fine display with a sideline cut that curled over in injury time.

They are up and running; Friday’s clash between Ballincollig and Ballinhassig will give further shape to the nascent group table.

Scorers for Kilworth: L Óg Hegarty 0-8 (0-5 f, 0-1 65), E Carey 0-4 (0-1 sl), J Sheehan 1-1, M Sheehan 0-3, B Sheehan, C Donnellan 0-1 each.

Castlemartyr: M Kelly 0-6 (0-4 f, 0-1 65), B McGann 1-0, C Joyce 0-2, J Stack, B Lawton, D Joyce, M O’Dwyer, B Ó Tuama, E Martin, C Whyte 0-1 each.

KILWORTH: K Heggeveit; K Lane, L Carey, A O’Hara; S Óg Kenneally, D Twomey, M Gowen; L Whelan, L Coffey; E Carey, L B Sheehan, J Sheehan; N McNamara, L Òg Hegarty, W Condon.

Subs: M Sheehan for W Condon (23, injured), C Donnellan for Coffey (54).

CASTLEMARTYR: D Bowens; D Leahy, J Lawton, C Martin; D Joyce, C Joyce, B Ó Tuama; C Whyte, B Lawton; M Kelly, B McGann, J McGann; M O’Dwyer, A Kelly, J Stack.

Subs: L Martin for J McGann (48), C Sice for O’Dwyer, E Martin for A Kelly (both 57).

Referee: D Kirwan (Éire Óg).