SAFC: Kanturk beat Kilshannig to leave things finely poised
MY BALL: Kilshannig players clash in the air as possession slips away during the SAFC clash Ballyclough against Kanturk. Picture: Chani Anderson
Kanturk set up a four-way tie in Group 1 of the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork SAFC with victory over Kilshannig at Ballyclough on Sunday afternoon.
Two goals in the lead-up to half-time and then one immediately after it helped Kanturk to wrestle back control of a game where they had started with five unanswered points and they managed the rest of the contest to hold off last year’s Premier Intermediate champions.
It all leaves things finely poised, with all four sides on two points, leaving two effective knockout ties in three weeks – Éire Óg take on Kilshannig while Kanturk face Newmarket in a Duhallow derby at Banteer.
Kanturk’s good start had given way to a barren period between the 13th and 27th minutes where they were outscored by 1-5 to 0-1, but they were able to move in front again when Ian Walsh claimed a Kilshannig kickout and then fed Daniel O’Connell, who rounded goalkeeper Gavin Creedon and finished well for a 1-6 to 1-5 lead.
Moments later, Ian Walsh was again involved – his long-range point attempt held up in then strong cross-wind, forcing Creedon to parry; O’Connell claimed the loose ball but was fouled for a penalty. Paul Walsh converted and a point from his brother Colin meant they retired with a five-point advantage, 2-7 to 1-5.
From the throw-in, their brother Alan Walsh won possession and fed his midfield partner, inter-county star Paul. He was able to run and run and, rather than taking an easy point, he instead went for the jugular and was rewarded – 13 seconds on the clock and the lead eight points.
Kanturk didn’t immediately build on that momentum-boost: instead, they had their hands full as Kilshannig found gaps in the defence and Alan O’Connell hit the crossbar for them, with Éanna O’Hanlon ensuring a point resulted from that move while Tom Cunningham had the gap down to six with another point. Then, O’Connell was the creator for Jack Twomey to net – 3-7 to 2-7 after 37.
It was as close as Kilshannig would come, though. Kanturk settled and a series of fine frees from Grantis Bucinskas allowed them to edge clear – though they did need a good Ronan Cashman save to deny Alan O’Connell a third Kilshannig goal.
After that, Kanturk closed the game out well, with Paul Walsh imperious while Lorcán McLoughlin exemplified the maturity of their ball-retention and a two-point free from Bucinskas had them seven ahead before Daniel O’Connell rounded things off following a good break.
Kilshannig sub Ciarán O’Sullivan did have an effort off the post late on, but it would only have had scoring-difference usefulness.
Early on, Kanturk looked sharp as they forged 0-5 to 0-0 ahead but a two-pointer from Kieran Twomey helped Kilshannig to get going and they were level at 1-3 to 0-6 when Colm O’Shea rounded off a great move to find the net.
Two Éanna O’Hanlon points had them ahead for the first time – but it proved to be the only time as Kanturk’s goal flurry swung the game their way again.
P Walsh 2-1 (1-0 penalty), G Bucinskas 0-6 (1 2ptf, 0-3 f), D O’Connell 1-1, I Walsh 0-2, M Healy, L O’Neill, C Walsh 0-1 each.
J Twomey 1-1, C O’Shea 1-0, É O’Hanlon 0-3, K Twomey 0-2 (2ptf), D O’Sullivan (0-1 f), T Cunningham 0-1 each.
R Cashman; D Browne, M Healy, L O’Neill; J McLoughlin, T Walsh, L McLoughlin; P Walsh, A Walsh; C Walsh, J Fitzpatrick, B O’Sullivan; G Bucinskas, D O’Connell, I Walsh
B Healy for O’Connll (6-8), C Mullane for O’Neill (53), B Healy for I Walsh (57).
G Creedon; C O’Shea, E Burke, C Murphy; E Healy, S O’Connell, T Cunningham; B Curtin, J Twomey; C O’Connell, K Twomey, S Murphy; É O’Hanlon, D O’Sullivan, A O’Connell.
C Geary for Murphy (22, injured), C O’Sullivan for K Twomey, D O’Sullivan for A O’Connell (both 49).
C Walsh (Nemo Rangers).
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