SAFC: Kilshannig finish strong to edge Clyda in Avondhu derby

Kilshannig: 2-13 (2-2-9) 

Clyda Rovers: 2-11 (2-1-9) 

A sweet Avondhu derby success for Kilshannig, who finished with a flourish to edge out neighbours Clyda Rovers after a titanic battle in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC at Charleville on Wednesday evening.

This Group 3 Round 1 encounter had a bit of everything, watched by a fine attendance, with the game ultimately decided by a strong finish from the men from Glantane.

It had looked like wides were going to cost them, most notably when Clyda Rovers pushed three points clear with seven minutes to go. It was a big lead in the context of the game, but Kilshannig replied with 1-2 without reply to take the spoils.

Alan O’Connell’s goal gave the eventual winners the launchpad late on, with impressive sub Diarmuid O’Sullivan also getting on the scoresheet in the dying embers.

It’s the perfect start to the championship for Kilshannig, especially given Éire Óg and Bishopstown are also in this tough group.

It wasn’t a game for the purists, but for effort, passion, tactical battles and drama, it left the crowd on tenterhooks.

Cork footballer Conor Corbett was key for Clyda Rovers with 1-3, though he did pick up a knock, which will be a concern going forward.

Both defences were on top early, reflected in a low-scoring start. The only point in the first eight minutes came from Clyda Rovers’ Aidan Kelly after Corbett did well to make the move happen.

Jack Twomey levelled for Kilshannig, even if it required plenty of patience. The sides traded points before Kilshannig hit the front through Tom Cunningham, 0-3 to 0-2 after 17 minutes.

Wides were a common theme for the Glantane-based outfit. Cian O’Sullivan, David Cooney and Cian Walsh white flags gave Clyda Rovers a two-point buffer approaching the break.

It got better after 25 minutes when a cracking Clyda move resulted in Corbett smashing the ball into the net, 1-5 to 0-3.

The green flag awoke Kilshannig from their slumber, with Darragh O’Sullivan landing a two-point free and then the same player finished to the net after a surging run just before the break.

Corbett restored his team’s advantage at half-time with an easy free, 1-6 to 1-5.

A 45 from Clyda Rovers goalkeeper Kevin Coffey was the perfect start to the new half for Karyn Graham’s charges, followed by a Corbett orange flag from a free.

A Michael Murphy effort was much needed for Kilshannig, 1-9 to 1-6 after 37 minutes. The sides traded white flags as the game moved into the fourth quarter.

A Darragh O’Sullivan two-point free cut the gap to the bare minimum until Cian Walsh pushed Clyda Rovers 1-11 to 1-9 ahead after 48 minutes.

Sub Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Alan O’Connell drew Kilshannig level as the game remained finely poised.

Clyda Rovers struck for a vital score after around 53 minutes — or so it seemed. Kevin Graham set up Cian Cooney for an easy finish to the net, 2-11 to 1-11.

Kilshannig’s response was outstanding. Alan O’Connell replied with a great finish to the net before impact sub Diarmuid O’Sullivan pointed with four minutes to go.

The eventual winners managed added time well and had the last say when Killian O’Hanlon bisected the posts.

Ciarán O’Sullivan picked up a black card right at the death, but it didn’t matter for Kilshannig.

Scorers for Kilshannig: Darragh O’Sullivan 1-5 (2 2pt f, 0-1 f), A O’Connell 1-1, Diarmuid O’Sullivan 0-2, M Murphy, C O’Shea, J Twomey, K O’Hanlon, T Cunningham 0-1 each.

Clyda Rovers: C Corbett 1-3 (1 2pt f, 0-1 f), C Walsh 0-3, C Cooney 1-0, P O’Grady, K Coffey (45), A Kelly, D Cooney, C O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

KILSHANNIG: G Creedon; M Murphy, E Burke, C Murphy; D Guiney, C O’Shea, J Twomey; K O’Hanlon, T Cunningham; C O’Sullivan, A O’Connell, Darragh O’Sullivan; E Healy, J O’Hanlon, K Twomey.

Subs: E O’Hanlon for J O’Hanlon, B Curtin for D Guiney (both h-t), C O’Connell for M Murphy (37-39, temp), C O’Connell for E Healy, Diarmuid O’Sullivan for K Twomey (both 43).

CLYDA ROVERS: K Coffey; C Cooney, A Walsh, N Burke; C Kelly, P O’Grady, P Kissane; G Deane, D Walsh; K Graham, A Kelly, D Cooney; C O’Sullivan, C Walsh, C Corbett.

Subs: B Nyhan for D Cooney (39), C Flanagan for C Kelly (50).

Referee: Pa O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers).