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*Conor Cleary snatches the sliotar ahead of Darragh Lohan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
A strong third quarter which yielded 3-3 while conceding just 0-2 saw Kilmaley power past Wolfe Tones to inch closer to the quarter-finals.
Kilmaley 3-20
Wolfe Tones 0-15
Venue: Clarecastle
Two wins from two outings has Kilmaley on the cusp of a return to the last eight, they’ll need a final round victory over Sixmilebridge to cement top spot but it will only until results from round three that their spot will be confirmed.
A fourteen point winning margin didn’t look likely at the halfway mark when just a point separated the sides with the winners ahead, 0-10 to 0-9. Rory Hayes levelled for the Shannon men shortly after the resumption.
Shortly after Daire Keane made a 60m run down the wing before passing to Conor Cleary who found the net.
Sean O’Loughlin struck for goal number two, a minute later and when Tommy Barry fired home goal number three at the midpoint of the half Kilmaley were on the way.
Wolfe Tones battled to the finish but they lacked the all-round balance of Kilmaley.
Points were exchanged on a number of occasions in a first half which produced a lot of frees.
There was much more urgency from Kilmaley when play resumed. Their half back line of Aidan McGuane, Michael O’Malley and Daire Keane dominated exchanges and ensured a plentiful supply of ball for their forwards which led to the goals which proved decisive on the day.
Entering the final quarter it was 3-13 to 0-12 in the winners favour and they were dominating the vital areas.
That dominance was maintained in the final ten minutes as they landed 0-6 to 0-2 for Wolfe Tones.
In addition to those mentioned Michael O’Neill. Sean Kennedy and Conor Cleary played key parts.
Rory Hayes was Wolfe Tones best player while Evan O”Gorman, Darragh Lohan, and Sam Meaney worked hard.
MORE TO FOLLOW
Scorers Kilmaley: Tom O’Rourke (0-9, 7 frees, 1 ‘65): Sean O’Loughlin (1-1): Conor Cleary, Tommy Barry (1-0) each: Colm Killeen(0-3): Michael O’Neill, Sean Kennedy (0-2 each): Michael O’Malley, Daire Keane, Eanna McMahon (0-1 each;
Scorers Wolfe Tones: Aaron Cunningham (0-9, 7 frees,1’65): Rory Hayes (0-2), Daithi Lohan, Aron Shanagher, Jack Cunningham, Cian O’Rourke (0-1) each.
All photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Kilmaley;
1: Bryan O’Loughlin:
21: Martin O’Connor
4: Colin Carmody,
2: Joe Casey;
5: Aidan McGuahne,
6: Michael O’Malley,
7: Daire Keane;
8: Tommy Barry,
11: Michael O’Neill:
9: Sean Kennedy;
14: Conor Cleary
18: Joe Carmody
13: Tom O’Rourke,
15: Sean O’Loughlin,
21: Eoin Enright:
Subs:
19: Colum Killeen for J Carmody (40):
10: Cian Moloney for S. Kennedy (40)
3: Colin McGuane for M O’Connor (48):
12: Éanna McMahon for E. Enright (50):
17: James Fitzpatrick for S O’Loughlin (56)
Wolfe Tones;
1; Oisin O’Rourke;
2: Liam Murphy,
3: Darragh Lohan,
17: Brian Murphy
4: Rory Hayes;
6: Evan O’Gorman,
7: John Guilfoyle;
8: Sam Meaney
9: Daithi Lohan
10: Sean Murphy,
11: Aron Shanagher
5: Ben 0’Gorman
13: Aaron Cunningham
14: Cian O’Rourke
15: Dean Devanney
Subs:
24 Jack Cunningham for D. Devanney (in. 10)
19: Colin Riordan for J Cunningham (57)
Referee: Gus Callaghan (Feakle)
