Kilskyre/Moylagh v Rathmolyon Junior 2 H.C. Sunday 6.8.23 at Kilskyre
Final Score: Kilskyre/Moylagh 2.12 Rathmolyon 2.10
A terrific defensive display and an excellent save from goalkeeper Kieran Hannon in the nearly 5 minutes of additional time played ensured Kilskyre/Moylagh emerged victorious in this hugely entertaining Junior 2 Hurling Championship Round 3 match played in soft underfoot conditions in Kilskyre on Sunday morning. The home side took an early lead with points from Joe Melia, a Niall Farrelly free and Ronan McGuinness in the first 5 minutes. Rathmolyon replied with points in the 7th and 9th minutes. Farrelly pointed a free in the 12th minute for Kilskyre/Moylagh and added a 65 and a free in the 14th and 17th minutes to open up a 4-point lead. Rathmolyon then started to gain the upper hand in the middle of the field and added a goal and 2 points to lead by a point after 21 minutes. Joe Melia netted for the home side in the 23rd minute after a Farrelly free dropped short but Rathmolyon replied with a free and a 65 to leave the sides level – 1.6 each – at the interval.
The first ten minutes of the second half saw the sides exchange a brace of points with Farrelly from 2 frees accounting for the Kilskyre/Moylagh scores. A 5-minute spell from the 13th to 18th minutes saw Kilskyre/Moylagh take a lead they would hold until the end. Farrelly pointed a free in the 13th minute and from the puck out the ever-busy Ronan McGuinness got on the end of a pass from substitute Simon Deevey to hit the net and Melia added a further point in the 18th minute to leave the home side leading 2.10 to 1.8. Rathmolyon rallied with a goal in the 21st minute and a pointed free in the 24th minute to reduce the gap to 1 point. Niall Farrelly hit a free in the 26th minute and McGuinness added a point in the 28th minute to extend the home side’s lead out to 3 points. Rathmolyon pointed in the 30th minute to reduce the gap to 2 and they piled on the pressure for the nearly 5 minutes of added time in an effort to snatch a win but Kilskyre/Moylagh defended heroically and goalkeeper Kieran Hannon made a fine stop to foil a goal bound effort just before the final whistle to ensure the victory.
Kilskyre/Moylagh: K Hannon, C Rennicks, P Grall, H Briody, C Mallen, J Boyle, D O’Reilly, K Foley, L Finnegan, C Briody, N Farrelly (0.8), J Melia (1.2), R McGuinness (1.2), E Hallinan, J Casserly.
Subs: S Deevey for Hallinan, J Harvey for Casserly, Hallinan for C Briody.
Referee: P O’Halloran
