Kilmaley show killer instinct with 26 point win over Corofin

*Kilmaley’s Seán O’Loughlin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

KILMALEY got their championship campaign off to a flyer when they ran riot against Corofin on Saturday.

Kilmaley 6-22
Corofin 1-11
Venue: Clarecastle

From the start Kilmaley were full of energy, intent and scoring power, blasting their way to a nine point lead midway through the first half.

Goals from the free-scoring James McGuire and the equally impressive Tom O’Rourke gave Kilmaley a 2-10 to 0-6 lead at half time.

It was an impressive statement of intent from last year’s quarter finalists who left their foot on the gas right to the very end.

They picked up where they left off after the break with Sean O’Loughlin (2), McGuire and Colin McGuane all finding the net.

Michael O’Malley was immaculate from placed balls and Conor Cleary was effective at full forward, causing no end of bother for Corofin.

Sean Kennedy and Tommy Barry were non-stop around the middle of the pitch, a sector Kilmaley where made the most of any lose possession or breaking ball.

It was always going to a baptism of fire for Corofin and last year’s intermediate champions struggled to match Kilmaley’s speed and intensity.

The North Clare side executed some precise build up play in the first quarter without overly troubling the scoreboard.

Making the better of a tricky cross-field breeze, Kilmaley’s pressure game began to pay dividends early on with Tom O’Rourke and Daire Keane striking over from distance and Sean Kennedy nailing a point to put them three points ahead.

Killian O’Connor’s point got Corofin off the mark in the eighth minute and it drew an almost instant response from James McGuire at the other end.

Gearoid Cahill weaved his way through traffic to keep Corofin in touch before Kilmaley raised the tempo.

A Corofin shot fell to Kimaley goalkeeper Bryan O’Loighlin and seconds later the sliotar was in the hands of McGuire, in space, who rattled a low shot to the net in the 15th minute to make 1-6 0-2.

Diarmuid Cahill did well to chisel out a few points for Corofin but momentum was with the team in blue.

O’Malley struck a great point from tight on the right sideline before converting a free
and in the blink of an eye, Kilmaley had seized control

Conor Cleary teed up O’Rourke for Kilmaley’s second goal in the 26th minute to put Kilmaley nine points clear.

There was no let up after half time.

Another O’Malley free was followed by another goal in the 34th minute, Sean O’Loughlin burying a shot low to the net.

O’Loughlin grabbed his second of the day nine minutes later when Kilmaley swarmed Corofin’s attempts to play out of trouble close to goal.

Brian McNamara landed two superb points and Conor Cleary whipped one over from a right angle as Kilmaley’s lead soared to 22 points.

There was still time for more with McGuire profiting from an excellent piece of play from Tommy Barry, to find the net in the 47th minute.

Corofin reeled off three quick points before Colin McGuane batted in from close range to raise Kilmaley sixth green flag of the afternoon.

Shane O’Brien smuggled a goal for Corofin in injury time but the damage had already been well and truly done.

Scorers Kilmaley: Michael O’Malley (0-10 9f); James McGuire (2-3); Sean O’Loughlin (2-1);
Tom O’Rourke (1-2); Colin McGuane (1-0), Brian McNamara (0-2); Sean Kennedy (0-1); Tommy Barry (0-1); Daire Keane (0-1); Conor Cleary (0-1).

Scorers Corofin: Diarmuid Cahill (0-5); Shane O’Brien (1-1); Gearoid Cahill (0-2); Gearoid Kelly (0-1 1f); Cillian McGroary (0-1); Killian O’Connor (0-1).

Kilmaley

1: Bryan O’Loughlin

2: Martin O’Connor
3: Aaron Moloney
4: Joe Casey

5: Aidan McGuane
6: Daire Keane
8: Tommy Barry

7: Colin McGuane
9 Sean Kennedy

23: Brian McNamara
11: Michael O’Malley
12: Tom O’Rourke

13: Sean O’Loughlin
17: Conor Cleary
14: James McGuire

Subs:
19: Brian Cahill for A McGuane (44)
15: Joe Carmody for O’Rourke (46)
18: Cian Neylon for Cleary (51)

Corofin

1 Liam Corbett

2 Marc O’Loughlin
3 Damien O’Loughlin
4 Colin Fitzgerald

5 Eoin Davoren
6 Conor Leen
7 Sean O’Brien