*Dan Keating takes on Eoin Rouine. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
KILMIHIL produced the first major shock in this year’s TUS Clare SFC when defeating Ennistymon by three points.
Kilmihil 0-16
Ennistymon 0-13
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg
The Clare Echo’s online coverage of the Clare SFC is with thanks to The Shannon Springs Hotel.
Let there be no doubt, this was a fully merited win by Kilmihil who would not have been flattered in their winning margin had been greater such was their control of proceedings.
Since the introduction of the new rules this year, dominance in the middle third of the pitch has become to victory.
Led by midfielder Dan Keating, Kilmihil controlled this area throughout. Keating’s aerial dominance gave his side a firm footing in the game and led to many scoring opportunities.
If Keating’s performance was key to this winso all so was the contribution of inter county man Ciaran Downes. He contributed 0-12 of his side’s total which included four two pointers, each one being from between 45 and 55 yards.
There were others as well who contributed to this victory and these included Sean Crowley, Stan Lineen, Marty O’Leary, Jack and Mikey Keating and David Coughlan.
It was a very impressive response to their first round fifteen point loss to Lissycasey and a result which has put them right back in the mix to qualify from the group.
The teams traded points in the opening six minutes before Ennistymon pushed four clear thanks to a Joe Concannon free and a two pointer from Josh Guyler.
Ciaran Downes landed his firs two pointer at the midpoint of the half and Dan Keating quickly followed with a point from play to tie up the scores at 0-4 each
Points from Concannon (free) and Guyler pushed the North Clare side two clear but Downes landed two 2 pointers in the final five minutes of the half to give his side an 0-9 to 0-6 interval lead having played with the aid of a slight breeze.
Kilmihill continued to dominate on the resumption and four from Downes, including another two-pointer from far out on the right wing and one from Marty O’Leary saw them stretch their lead to seven, 0-13 to 0-6 at the three quarter stage.
With the help of some changes, Ennistymon closed the gap to five with four minutes remaining.
Cillian Rouine landed two pointers on the double to keep Ennistymon hopes alive and they almost snatched a draw at the death when Gearoid Barry’s effort rebounded off the upright followed by the final whistle.
Overall Kilmihil showed the greater workrate and displayed the greater hunger for possession,
On a disappointing evening for Ennistymon, Darragh Conneely, Cillian Rouine and Gearoid Barry worked hard.
Scorers Kilmihil: Ciaran Downes (0-12, 0-9 frees, 4TP); Dan Keating (0-2); Marty O’Leary, David Coughlan (0-1) each
Scorers Ennistymon: Cillian Rouine (0-4, 2TP); Brendy Rouine (frees), Joe Concannon (frees) Josh Guyler (TP), Gearoid Barry (0-2) each; Keelan Guyler (0-1)
Kilmihil;
1: Damian Lineen;
2: David Coughlan,
3: John Finnucane
4: Padraig O’Grady
5: Shane Downes
6: Mikey Keating
7: Michael Cotter;
8: Dan Keating
10: Ciaran Downes;
11: Sean Crowley
9: Jack Keating
17: Padraig Lynch
13: Marty O’Leary
14: Cathal Murray
25: Stan Lineen
Sub:
18: Mark Normoyle for P. Lynch (50)
Ennistymon;
1: Noel Sexton;
2: Joey Rouine,
3: Darragh Conneely
4: Sean O’Driscoll
5: Ciaran McMahon,
7: Cillian Rouine
10: James Cullinan;
13: Brendy Rouine
12: Eoin Rouine;
14: Josh Guyler,
19: Sean Rouine
18: Mark Kellleher;
17: Keelan Guyler
21: Joe Concannon
29: Gearoid Barry
Subs:
6: Liam Cotter for J. Concannon (44)
9: Tiernan Hogan for S. Rouine (45)
27: Darren McNamara for K. Guyler (55)
20: Seanie Conneally for M. Kelleher (55)
Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)
