*Diarmuid O’Donnell shakes off Marc O’Loughlin while waiting for the ball. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.ย 

A MORE evenly balanced Kildysart side got their senior championship campaign off to a winning start on Saturday evening when they recorded a merited three point win over Corofin.

Kildysart 0-12
Corofin 0-9
Venue: Clarecastle

Pre match predictions were for a closely contested tie and that proved to be the case but when the pressure came on Kildysart had a slight edge which proved decisive on the evening.

They raced into a three point lead inside the opening ten minutes and they were never headed.

There was a tricky cross field wind which favoured the team playing towards the dressing rooms and Kildysart had whatever advantage that brought in the opening half.

Because of a niggling injury Diarmuid Cahill didnโ€™t start for Corofin and this was certainly a blow to their chances. The introduction of himself and Killian Oโ€™Connor midway through the second half brought about an improvement in their attack which had struggled against a strong Kildysart backline.

Fergal Guinnane, Luke McGrath and Diarmuid Oโ€™Donnell (free) were the early point scorers for the winners before Gearoid Cahill opened Corofinโ€™s account in the tenth minute. From here to half time points were exchanged four times leaving the winners 0-7 to 0-4 in fronts when Niall Quinn sounded the half time whistle.

Points were exchanged early in the second half before Corofin introduced Diarmuid Cahill and Killian Oโ€™Connor, the latter signalling his arrival with a good point from a free.

While the introduction of Cahill and Oโ€™Connor was a boost, they were dealt a blow when Gearoid Kelly was shown a black card which left them with fourteen payers for the next ten minutes.

A Rory McMahon point restored Kildysartโ€™s three point advantage but Corofin then landed a brace from the Cahill brothers Diarmuid and Gearoid to leave the minimum between the sides with eight minutes remaining.

Kildysartโ€™s response was impressive with Luke McGrath and Emmett McMahon landing points to go three clear gain.

(Photographs by Ruth Griffin & Burren Eye Photography)

In the closing minutes Corofin piled on the pressure but Kildysrt held firm for a merited win on an evening when Fergal Guinnane, Rory McMahon, Keith Oโ€™Connor, Luke McGrath, Mikey Donnellan and Emmett McMahon made valuable contributions.

Cillรฉin Mullins, Damian Oโ€™Loughlin, Sean Oโ€™Brien, and Gearoid Cahill were prominent for Corofin.

Scorers Kildysart: Emmett McMahon (0-3) Diarmuid Oโ€™Donnell (frees), Luke McGrath (1 free), Fergal Guinnane (0-2) each; Kieran Oโ€™Brien, Mikey Donnellan, Rory McMahon (0-1) each;

Scorers Corofin: Gearoid Cahill (0-5, 4f), Damian Oโ€™Loughlin, Evan Doolin, Killian Oโ€™Connor (free), Diarmuid Cahill (0-1) each

Kildysart;
1: Kieran Eyers;

2: Fergal Guinnane
3: Kieran Leahy
4: Stephen Sheehan;

5: Rory McMahon
6: Conor Moloney
7: Oisin Coyle

8: Keith Oโ€™Connor
9: Kieran Oโ€™Brien

10: Seamus Casey
11: Luke McGrath
12: Mikey Donnellan

13: Diarmuid Oโ€™Donnell,
14: Conor Cusack
15: Emmett McMahon

Subs:
21: Conall Casey for Casey (half time)
20: Jack Cotter for C. Cusack (50)
18: Conor Hassett for Donnellan (61)

Corofin:
1: Eoin Davoran

2: Marc Oโ€™Loughlin
3: Cillรฉin Mullins
18: Colin Fitzgerald;

5: Damian Oโ€™Loughlin
6: Kevin Keane
4: John Rees

7: Colm Rice
9: Sean Oโ€™Brien

8: Gearoid Kelly,
11: Gearoid Cahill
10: Cillian McGroary

13: Cillian Clancy
12: Caoimhin Donovan
17: Evan Doolin

Subs:
13: Diarmuid Cahill for Donovan (42)
27: Killian Oโ€™Connor for C. Clancy (42)
19: Cian Doolin for McGroary (57)

Referee: Niall Quinn (St Josephโ€™s Miltown)

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