Lismire hold off a strong Kanturk comeback in Duhallow JAFC

Lismire 1-16 

Kanturk 1-13 

Lismire withstood a late Kanturk surge to secure a deserved victory in Round 2 to the Ashgrove Renewables Duhallow JAFC at Kilbrin.

Having disappointed in the opening round, Lismire bounced back from a defeat by Ballydesmond, raising their performance and a purple patch approaching the interval built up a nine point advantage.

So fluent early on, Lismire lost the impetus on the turnover, coming under increasing late pressure only for time to run out on Kanturk's brave bid.

During the second half, an understrength Kanturk fought courageously, trimming the arrears and ever so close to gaining a stalemate, the outcome means Kanturk having lost back to back games will not advance to the knockout phase having reached last season’s decider. 

The local derby clash attracted interest, a number of Lismire players are part of the Kanturk Premier Senior Hurling panel.

Lismire began promisingly with a trio of points from Damien Finn points confirmed a side holding a pep. Steadily, Kanturk kickstarted their challenge, points chalked up by Bryan Healy and Eoin O’Keeffe.

Still Lismire were up for the challenge, boosted by the play of Oisín O’Connor, Conor Sheahan, Michael McSweeney and Conor Noonan. 

A spell of pressure yielded points from Darren O’Sullivan, Rory Sheahan and Finn.

Piling on the pressure, Lismire claimed a goal, good work by Darren O’Sullivan created the space for O’Connor to net for a 1-10 to 0-4 advantage at the interval. 

From the restart, Kanturk stood up to the challenge, setting about reducing the deficit with points from Gavin Kenehen, Healy and O’Keeffe.

Lismire appeared to weather the storm, Finn and McSweeney points helped secure a comfortable lead.

Again Kanturk rallied, a penalty won, up stepped ‘keeper Jordan Fullerton only to see his well struck effort saved superbly by Lismire netminder Cathal Field. Kanturk continued to press, rewarded with a consolation goal from substitute Daniel Vaughan.

Elsewhere, in the Duhallow JAFC, Ballydesmond availed of a promising start to overcome Kilbrin 0-19 to 0-10 while defending holders Castlemagner held off the gritty challenge of Lyre to win 3-13 to 1-13.

Scorers for Lismire D Finn 0-8 (4f), O O’Connor 1-0, C Noonan 0-3, M McSweeney 0-2, R Sheahan, C O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Kanturk: B Healy 0-5 (2f), E O’Keeffe 0-4 (2f), D Vaughan 1-0, G Kenehen 0-2, W O’Mahony, J Moylan 0-1 each.

LISMIRE: C Field; P Duggan, O O’Connor, S Bourke; P Buckley, C Sheahan, E Hayes; S McSweeney, M McSweeney; J Sheahan, R Sheahan, C O’Sullivan; D O’Sullivan, D Finn, C Noonan.

KANTURK: J Fullerton; N Forde, C Breen, J Murphy; M Hooton. B Healy, M Deady; D Bradley, W O’Mahony; G Kenehen, E O’Keeffe, J Moylan; C Boyce, S McAuliffe, D Cronin. 

Subs: A O’Keeffe, D Vaughan, O Daly, E Guiney, D O’Donoghue.

Referee: Michael Sheehan (Liscarroll).