Kilcormac/Killoughey and Birr booked their places in the semi-finals of the Molloy Environmental Offaly Senior Hurling Championship with wins over Seir Kieran and Belmont in front of 2,366 spectators at O’Connor Pk this afternoon (Saturday). The remaining two semi-final spots will be decided tomorrow when Shinrone take on Kinnitty (3.30pm) and Coolderry play St Rynagh’s (5pm) in St Brendan’s Pk
Kilcormac/Killoughey 0-20 Seir Kieran 3-11
Kilcormac/Killoughey gained a semi-final spot with a hard earned win over Seir Kieran in the opening game at O’Connor Pk. It was Seir Kieran who looked the more likely winners in the first half as they dominated for long periods, however, they failed to convert their superiority into scores and hit six first half wides to KK’s two. They led by 1-3 to 0-3 after fifteen minutes, the game brilliantly executed by James Mulrooney following a great pass from Joe Bergin. By half time Seir Kieran led by 1-7 to 0-8, with six of KK’s first half scores coming from placed balls.
On the resumption KK upped the tempo and were in front by the 35th minute. However, an Adrian Hynes goal in the 39th minute gave Seir Kieran a 2-8 to 0-13 advantage. KK fought back and by the 55th minute led by 0-19 to 2-8. At the end of normal time KK led by four points, but there were six minutes additional time, following a long stoppage due to an injury to Ger Healion who had to leave the field with what looked like a serious knee injury. In the second minute of injury time James Mulrooney goaled to put the minimum between the sides, but that was to be the last score, although Seir Kieran did have one final chance but failed to convert.
Kilcormac/Killoughey: Dylan Murray, Con Mahon, Ger Healion, Alan McConville, Kevin Grogan, Peter Healion, Enda Grogan, Thomas Geraghty 0-1, Damien Kilmartin, Peter Geraghty 0-1, Conor Mahon 0-2, Killian Leonard 0-1, Cillian Kiely 0-3 (0-1f), Dan Currams 0-3, Ciaran Slevin 0-9 (0-7f, 0-2 65’). Subs: Oisín Mahon for G Healion (inj), James Gorman for K Leonard, Brian Leonard for Conor Mahon
Seir Kieran: Eoin Coughlan, Christopher Connors, Eanna Murphy 0-1(f), Dermot Mooney, Kevin Murray, Sean Coughlan, Donal Coughlan, Barry Bergin, Kevin Dunne 0-3, Joe Bergin 0-4 (0-3f), Tom Carroll 0-1, Stephen Hynes, James Mulrooney 2-0, Billy Connors 0-1, Adrian Hynes 0-1 Subs: Shane Ryan for S Hynes, Sean Dunne for B Bergin, Peadar Murray for B Connors
Ref: Declan Cooke (Crinkill)
Birr 1-21 Belmont 2-11
The second game never reached the heights of the first game with Birr always looking like winners. They led by 1-3 to 0-0 after just five minutes, the goal coming from Emmett Nolan. Belmont did play their way back into the game and thanks to a brilliant overhead strike from Oisín Kelly had the margin down to the minimum 1-5 to 1-4 by the 18th minute. Birr hit back with four unanswered points, before Belmont hit the last two scores of the half to leave it 1-9 to 1-6 at the break.
On the resumption Birr again took control and added five more points without reply to leave it 1-14 to 1-6 by the 37th minute. Belmont responded briefly with a Colin Egan goal on 38 minutes, but again Birr upped it a gear never looked like losing as they went on to outscore their opponents seven points to five in the closing quarter.
Birr: Brian Mullins, Michael Verney, Paul Cleary, Eoin Hayes, Brian Watkins, Dylan Hayden, Sean Ryan, Barry Harding 0-1, Barry Whelahan, Colm Mulrooney 0-2, Conor O’Callaghan, Rory Hanniffy 0-2, Eoghan Cahill 0-9 (0-6f), Emmett Nolan 1-3, Brendan Murphy 0-4 Subs: Paddy Mullins for O’Callaghan, Stephen Lonergan for Hanniffy
Belmont: Barry Egan, Jack Egan, Joe Kenny, Liam Browne, Kieran McManus, David Kenny, Mark Egan 0-4 (0-3f, 0-1 65’), Darragh Corbett, Shane Nally, Leon Fox 0-1, David Cox, Colin Egan 1-1, Oisín Kelly 1-3 (0-1f), Alan Egan, Damien Egan 0-1 Subs: Kevin Nugent for D Cox, Joe Maher 0-1, for L Fox, Paul Egan for Corbett
Ref: Brian Gavin (Clara)
By Offaly PRO Sat 10th Sep
