Final Score: Kilskyre/Moylagh 1.14 Donaghmore/Ashbourne 2.11
A draw was probably a fair result at the end of an entertaining Division 3 Hurling League match played in good conditions and with great commitment from both sides in Ashbourne on Saturday evening. Both sides will probably feel they could have won the game as the hosts took a one-point lead in the first minute of injury time only for Tom Shine to equalise from a free a minute later. There was still time for late drama as with the last puck of the game a Shine 20 metre free from near the sideline hit the upright.
The first half was a nip and tuck affair with the sides level on 4 occasions. The hosts goaled to lead in the 17th minute from a penalty which seemed a bit harsh and stretched their lead to 4 with a point almost straight away. However, Kilskyre/Moylagh steadied the ship with a Shine free on the 20th minute and 2 minutes later the alert Willie McGrath capitalised on a mistake in the home defence to get clear and level the match with a well taken goal. With 2 points from Shine and a reply from a free by the hosts it was Kilskyre/Moylagh who led 1.6 to 1.5 at the interval.
The hosts started the second half well and shot the first 3 points of the half to lead by 2 after 10 minutes. Kilskyre/Moylagh the assumed control and shot 4 points in the next 12 minutes to lead by 2. The hosts got level again by the 24th minute but the visitors struck back with points from McGrath, Shine and substitute Lorcan Maguire following an excellent bout of passing to take a 3-point lead with a minute left. After some defensive hesitancy the hosts then struck for a goal to level just on 30 minutes and the late drama ensued with honours ending even.
Best for Kilskyre/Moylagh were Michael Geraghty, Kevin Foley, Tom Shine and Willie McGrath.
Kilskyre/Moylagh: J O’Higgins, J Connell, D Shine, M Farrell, B Smith, M Geraghty, P Briody, K Foley, J Boyle, JD O’Reilly, T Shine (0.11), K McCaffrey, S Tunney, W McGrath (1.2) R McGuinness.
Subs: M Farrelly for McCaffrey, E Hallinan for Tunney, L Maguire (0.1) for O’Reilly
Referee: Noel Reilly
