At last, a football game to feast upon. The Nire and Kilrossanty energised this year’s championship with an action packed shootout that was settled in style by substitute Shane Walsh in injury time.
Two goals, 31 points, two contested points and 11 times level. Both sides approached the game in positive fashion and the outcome hung delightfully up in the air for the hour. Paul Whyte emerged with the outstanding individual performance as he raided 1-6 from midfield (1-4 in general play). In the absence of key figures from the start (Walsh, Jamie Barron and Shane Lawlor), The Nire’s collective determination pulled them out of a tight scrape. Nine different players chalked up a score and they didn’t buckle when Whyte stroked home a goal to put Kilrossanty two up with minutes to play.
The sides couldn’t be split at half time (eight points each) and both enjoyed periods of supremacy in an action packed second period. Darren Guiry’s thunderous blast on 36 minutes helped The Nire into a four point lead but John Kiely’s charges bounced off the ropes. Whyte and Joey Veale retaliated and the former slammed to the net with nine minutes remaining to send them two points clear (1-14 to 1-12). The Nire held their nerve and summoned Walsh from the bench with three minutes left to plot an escape route.
On a smouldering Saturday afternoon, An Rinn celebrated a slice of history. They defeated Clashmore (1-10 to 0-8) to reach the semi finals for the very first time. After losing three quarter finals in a row, they cut loose in the final furlong. Ten minutes from time, Liam Ó Lonáin burst through the Clashmore rearguard and whipped a scorching shot to the top corner. They were tied at eight points all (level seven times) at the close of the third quarter until that moment of magic from Ó Lonáin. Donie Breathnach also shot four points before leaving the field with a hamstring injury late on that leaves him doubtful for the semis. Clashmore’s cause wasn’t helped by Brian O’Halloran’s withdrawal just five minutes in through injury. They failed to score for the last 28 minutes of the contest.
Holders Stradbally sailed smoothly through the semis for the fifteenth year in succession. Robert and Shane Ahearne combined for 1-7 to beat Ballinameela by 1-13 to 1-3. Jim Curran netted a consolation penalty for the losing side. The only homework for Stephen Cunningham’s side is the 15 wides that they racked up. Ballinacourty dodged a stubborn St Saviours challenge at Carraiganore (0-14 to 1-5) on Saturday night. An early Stephen Whelan strike sent shockwaves and the sides departed on an equal footing at the interval (0-5 to 1-2). Courty eventually wrestled control in the last quarter.
Gaultier preserved their senior status as they came from four points back to banish Brickey Rangers by 2-13 to 2-9 in a vibrant relegation play-off at Stradbally. JJ Hutchinson scored 2-5 and Wayne Hutchinson also made a key contribution from centre forward.
Semi Finals
To be played October 6
Ballinacourty v The Nire
An Rinn v Stradbally
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