*David Lernihan scored Kilmihil’s second goal. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
It will be the battle of the K’s in the TUS intermediate football championship final after Kilmihil justified favouritism when accounting for Naomh Eoin on Sunday afternoon.
Kilmihil 2-12
Naomh Eoin 0-13
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Park, Doonbeg
In the final they will take on Kilrush who booked their final place when accounting for Wolfe Tones by a similar five point margin on Saturday.
While Kilmihil deserved their victory, rank outsiders Naomh Eoin showed to the big attendance that they are not out of place at this level.
The Peninsula side’s nervous start is reflected in Kilmihil’s 1-5 to 0-0 lead after twenty five minutes. Four unanswered points in the remaining time saw the Cross based outfit fought back to trail by four at the interval when the score was 1-5 to 0-4 in the winner’s favour.
Kilmihil put down a marker as to their intent in the opening minute when David Lernihan won the throw in before racing through the centre and firing the ball over the bar.
Two pointed frees from Ciaran Downes saw the winners extend their lead to three by the tenth minute.
In fairness Naomh Eoin had created a couple of scoring chances in the opening quarter and they might have been well advised to have taken points rather than trying for goals.
As the game reached the twentieth minute, Kilmihil struck for a crucial score when Gearoid O’Grady pounced for the game’s opening goal.
Three minutes from half time Conor Magner converted a 40m free to open Naomh Eoin’s account and they finished the half with points from Fergal Keane, Niall Bonfil and Owen Lynch.
Points were exchanged three times in the opening twelve minutes of the second half before a Niall Bonfil point left just a goal between the sides, 1-8 to 0-8, entering the final quarter.
Ciaran Downes and Martin O’Leary responded with points for Kilmihil before Sean Bonfil split the posts after a great run through the middle with ten minutes remaining.
Naomh Eoin’s hopes of victory received a massive blow a minute later when David Lernihan struck for the winner’s second goal.
Seamus Boland and Niall Bonfil responded with Naomh Eoin points to keep their side’s hopes alive but Kilmihil weren’t to be denied and a point from substitute Niall Reidy sealed Kilmihil’s victory.
Jack Browne, Gearoid O’Grady, David Lernihan, Ciaran Downes and Martin O’Leary were prominent for the winners while Mark McQuaid, Adam Haugh, Niall Bonfil, Owen Lynch and Conor Magner did well for Naomh Eoin.
Scorers Kilmihil: Ciaran Downes (0-6,3f); David Lernihan (1-1); Gearoid O’Grady (1-0), Martin O’Leary (0-3, 1 f); Sean Crowley, Niall Reidy (0-1) each.
Scorers Naomh Eoin: Owen Lynch (0-5, 2f); Niall Bolfil (0-4); Sean Bonfil, Fergal Keane, Conor Magner (free), Seamus boland (0-1) each;
Kilmihil;
1: Sean Cafferkey
2: Fionn Febrarro
3: John Finnucane
4: Mikey Keating
19: Jack Browne
9: Stan Lineen
7: Gavin Downes
8: David Lernihan
18: Jack Keating
5: Gearoid O’Gfady
11: Ciaran Downes
12: Shane Downes
10: David Coughlan
14: Sean Crowley
15: Martin O’Leary;
Subs:
23: Padraig O’Grady for Coughlan
20: Niall Reidy for Lernihan
17: Conor Crowley for S Downes
Naomh Eoin;
1: Sean Roche
2: Declan Keniry
3: Conor Tevlin
4: Eoin Hanrahan
5: Adam Haugh
6: Mark McQuaid
7: Tomas Bonfil
8: Sean Bonfil
10: Fergal Keane
14: Niall Bonfil
9: Odhran Lynch
12: Conor Magner
13: Gearoid Lynch
11: Gavin Magner
15: Owen Lynch
Subs:
25: Fionn Doherty for T. Bonfil
19: Seamus Boland for G. Lynch
Referee: Niall Quinn (St Joseph’s Miltown)
