Kilmacs overcome Boherbue to advance to County Semi Final
County Junior A Football Championship Quarter Final Replay (FT): Kilmacabea 0-15 Boherbue 0-9
Having survived with a last minute equalizer last week, the Kilmacs made no mistake on Saturday 13th with a hard fought but well deserved six point victory over Boherbue. The huge difference was the terrific work-rate and determination especially shown by our forward unit which did’nt give the Boherbue any time to build their attacks out of their defence.
Despite the incessant rain, both teams served up a superb first half of football, but it was the Kilmac’s who held the advantage leading by 0-9 to 0-6. This was in no small part to our tenacious defence, who led by superb captain Niall Hayes managed to get a handle on Boher’s dangermen and built the platform for our forwards rein supreme. A tit for tat opening 20 minutes saw the teams level four times, with Richie O Sullivan, Damien Gore, Joseph Collins and a Daniel O Donovan free getting the Kilmac scores. For the remaining ten minutes of the half the Kilmacs dominated the possession and out scoring their opponents by 0-5 to 0-3, with Ian Jennings scoring the best of them, when after a scintillating run, his shot grazed the top of the crossbar to put the Kilmacs four clear.
While the second half did’nt yield the same amount of scoring chances, it was the Kilmacs more potent forwards that did the damage, outscoring Boherbue by 0-6 to 0-1. Damien Gore came more into the game as the Boher defence tired and his contribution of 0-3 points, allied with two Daniel O Donovan free’s and another from Richie O Sullivan sealed a fantastic 0-15 to 0-9 victory.
To a man, Noel McCarthy’s charges showed that this new Kilmac outfit is one to be reckoned with. From solid custodian Matthew O Neill, whose kickout’s rarely went astray, the full back line of Ciaran O Donovan, Niall Hayes and Darren Whooley, although struggled early in the game, soon came to grips with the Duhallow outfits forward play and snuffed out many an attack. The unsung heroes in the half back line of Clive Sweetnam, Donie O Donovan and Donnacha McCarthy who tirelessly set up attack after attack and who also defended well when needed. Our midfield duo of Daniel O Donovan and Martin Collins were again outstanding, with Joseph Collins ably assisting them from wing forward. Diarmuid O Callaghan and Timothy Nyhan who, never hid from doing the hard graft of winning ball and distributing it well to the the trio of attackers led by Damien Gore, his cousin Richie O Sullivan and the talented youngster Ian Jennings.
Also special mention needs to go to the subs that were all introduced to help get the team over the line, Mark Jennings, Ger O Donovan, Liam Thompson, Dan Lynch and Declan O Sullivan who all contributed to this marvelous victory.
Scorers: Damien Gore (0-6, 0-2 from free’s), Daniel O Donovan (0-4 all free’s), Richie O Sullivan (0-2), Joseph Collins (0-1), Ian Jennings (0-1), Donnacha McCarthy (0-1).
Team: Matthew O Neill, Ciaran O Donovan, Niall Hayes (captain), Darren Whooley, Donie O Donovan, Clive Sweetnam, Donnacha McCarthy, Daniel O Donovan, Martin Collins, Joseph Collins, Richie O Sullivan, Diarmuid O Callaghan, Ian Jennings, Damien Gore, Timothy Nyhan.
Subs used: Mark Jennings, Ger O Donovan, Dan Lynch, Liam Thompson, Declan O Sullivan
