Kilskyre/Moylagh v Clann na nGael Junior 2 H.C. Final Saturday14.10.23 at Pairc Tailteann
Final Score: Kilskyre/Moylagh 2.12 Clann na nGael 0.11
A terrific all round display of determined hurling particularly in the second half when despite whatever benefit the breeze from the Hospital end was giving and having been reduced to 14 men just before the interval when John Harvey who was having an excellent game was red carded by referee Martin Dawson saw Kilskyre/Moylagh claim their first piece of silverware since their amalgamation with victory in this Junior 2 Hurling Championship Final played in Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon. The hallmark of this team all year has been their second half performances when they have really dug in generally to defend a lead but on this occasion for the first time had to overturn a deficit albeit of only one point and they went about it in some style with all twenty players used playing a part in securing the victory.
Clann na nGael opened the scoring straight from the throw in with a point but Niall Farrelly levelled in the second minute from a free. Ronan McGuinness pointed in the 5th minute but Clann na nGael pointed two frees in the 12th and 13th minutes to lead by one. James Cooke levelled in the 14th minute and in the 16th minute pressure from the forwards – a trait of this team – on the defence resulted in the ball being played across the goalmouth to Conor Briody who goaled for the second game in succession from close range. Niall Farrelly pointed a free in the 18th minute to put Kilskyre/Moylagh 4 points up 1.4 to 0.3. Clann na nGael then hit 3 points in a row – 2 from frees – between the 20th and 23rd minutes but a Simon Deevey point in the 25th minute restored a 2-point lead for the combination side. Clann na nGael added 3 further points between the 29th and 34th minutes – 2 again from frees to give them a one-point lead at the interval. Their lead point came from a free awarded just before the break following the incident which saw John Harvey receive a red card from the referee following consultation with the linesman on the stand side.
The Kilskyre/Moylagh management team decided at the break that they had to fill a gap in the defence and it meant having to sacrifice a forward to allow Colm Mallen enter the fray. Management decided to substitute Niall Farrelly who had worked his socks off in the first half and introduce Mallen to the half back line. Management also cautioned the players to be more disciplined in their tackling to try and reduce the opportunities from frees that they had been giving to Clann na nGael.
The second half was a bit slow to get off the ground but the half time switch, the perfectly timed introduction of 4 other substitutes as players tired and a disciplined and determined performance by each and every player saw Kilskyre/Moylagh assume control and proceed to a well-earned victory. Ronan McGuinness pointed in the 5th minute of the second half to level matters and then in the absence of Farrelly he also assumed the free taking duties and pointed 2 in the 7th and 8th minutes to give the combination side a lead they would never lose. James Cooke got his 2nd point in the 13th minute before in the 15th minute Simon Deevey was hauled down as he headed goalwards and a penalty was awarded. McGuinness assumed responsibility and as he himself would probably admit hit a terrible penalty but the ball somehow deceived the goalkeeper and ended up in the net to put Kilskyre/Moylagh 6 points up 2.9.to 0.9. A beautiful Stephen Tierney point in the 19th minute after a long-range effort from Joe Melia came off the post was followed by an excellent Jamie Casserly point in the 22nd minute after a pass from McGuinness. Despite their best efforts the first score of the half for Clann na nGael came with a point in the 28th minute. McGuinness pointed a free in the 32nd minute and Clanns closed the scoring in the 33rd minute with a point. After about 5 minutes of additional time referee Martin Dawson blew the full-time whistle and the celebrations began.
After the match the Aidan Foran cup was presented to Kilskyre/Moylagh captain Philip Grall by County Board Officer for Irish Language and Culture Seosamh O Briain.
Congratulations for the victory must go to the Team Manager Tom Gilsenan, Coaches Pat Clancy and Tom Shine and Selectors Pa Baugh, Mark Owens and Sean Dolan. Thanks also to the Intermediate players who despite losing their semi-final two weeks ago joined in subsequent training sessions to help prepare the Junior 2 team for Saturday. Thanks also to the many people who provided sponsorship in advance of the final and finally thanks to the players who all contributed to this success during the year and their families for the support.
Kilskyre/Moylagh: K Hannon, G Corrigan, P Grall, C Rennicks, J Harvey, J Boyle, D O’Reilly, J Cooke (0.2), K Foley, J Casserly (0.1), N Farrelly (0.2), S Tierney (0.1), R McGuinness (1.5), S Deevey (0.1), C Briody (1.0).
Subs: C Mallen for Farrelly, J Melia for C Briody, E Brody for Tierney, L Finnegan for Deevey, H Briody for O’Reilly.
Referee: M Dawson
