Kildysart keep the edge over Corofin

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

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 didn’t start for Corofin and this was certainly a blow to their chances. The introduction of himself and Killian O’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 O’Donnell (free) were the early point scorers for the winners before Gearoid Cahill opened Corofin’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 O’Connor, the latter signalling his arrival with a good point from a free.

While the introduction of Cahill and O’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 Kildysart’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.

Kildysart’s response was impressive with Luke McGrath and Emmett McMahon landing points to go three clear gain.

(Photographs by Ruth Griffin & Burren Eye Photography)

Damien O’Loughlin and Luke McGrath in action. Photograph: 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 O’Connor, Luke McGrath, Mikey Donnellan and Emmett McMahon made valuable contributions.

Cilléin Mullins, Damian O’Loughlin, Sean O’Brien, and Gearoid Cahill were prominent for Corofin.

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

Scorers Corofin: Gearoid Cahill (0-5, 4f), Damian O’Loughlin, Evan Doolin, Killian O’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 O’Connor
9: Kieran O’Brien

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

13: Diarmuid O’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 O’Loughlin
3: Cilléin Mullins
18: Colin Fitzgerald;

5: Damian O’Loughlin
6: Kevin Keane
4: John Rees

7: Colm Rice
9: Sean O’Brien