Kenneally major decisive in Moneygall's narrow win over stubborn Éire Óg Annacarty

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Preliminary Quarter-Final

Moneygall 1-19

Éire Óg Annacarty 0-20

Sean Kenneally’s goal early in the second half proved to be the crucial score for Moneygall as they just about managed to hold off a strong Éire Óg Annacarty effort in the FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final in a windswept Drombane on Saturday afternoon.

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A closely contested game throughout, Moneygall did lead from start to finish, but there was never a degree of comfort at any point as Éire Óg were well in the contest, even after Kenneally’s goal opened up a six-point lead after 35 minutes of the game.

Éire Óg cut the deficit to three points thanks largely to some brilliant shooting from Aidan Griffin, and with a late flurry of points from Éire Óg coming just before the clock struck 60 minutes, the game was in the balance heading into added time with just a single point between the sides.

There was some luck on Moneygall’s side as Éire Óg did miss some gilt-edged efforts to equalise with time in the red, and capitalizing on that fortune, Moneygall sealed the victory with Adam Hogan’s fourth point two minutes into added time, giving Moneygall a place in the final eight, whilst also maintaining their unbeaten status in this year’s championship.

Moneygall confidently started the game, racing into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead with young Eoghan Doughan, Tadhg Whyte, Adam Hogan, and Shay Gleeson all firing over points in the first ten minutes, while Donal O’Dwyer and Aidan Griffin scored down the other end for Éire Óg.

Éire Óg played against whatever way the very swirly wind was blowing early and had levelled the tie after the 17-minute mark with three points on the trot from Griffin (two frees), and Kevin Fox, but Moneygall finished the half the stronger with quality scores from the impressive young head of Eoghan Doughan, along with more experienced contributors Adam Hogan and Sean Kenneally.

Moneygall were on top in the lead up to the break, and it could have been worse from an Éire Óg viewpoint had Darragh Mooney not denied Sean Kenneally in the 27th minute. But as it was, the North side went into the break with a 0-10 to 0-7 lead.

It was all to play for heading into the second 30 minutes, but Moneygall started extremely well in the second half and had registered 1-4 to Éire Óg’s 0-2 in the first five minutes; the Kenneally goal coming in typical fashion as the Tipp forward fielded a high ball before turning toward goal and batting home past Mooney from close range to put his side into a big 1-13 to 0-9 lead.

That was a big blow to Éire Óg but given the experience they have around the field, they never panicked and managed to lessen the impact of that goal by hitting the next three points in as many minutes, thanks to efforts from Conor O’Brien, Connie Bradshaw, and a class score from play by Aidan Griffin.

However, they made little inroads into cutting the deficit further as they sides went score for score up until the final five minutes as Adam Hogan and Eoghan Doughan continued their strong performances with scores, while Aidan Griffin had the eye in continually from placed balls and play as Moneygall led 1-18 to 0-17 with five to go.

Eventually, though, Éire Óg began to wear down Moneygall’s resistance and had it back to a single point with injury time to come, thanks to Griffin frees (two) and a rousing point from captain Paudie Bradshaw, and that set up a big finish to this game with extra time a real possibility.

But it wasn’t to be for Éire Óg, who left three shots at goal to drift wide of the target with the equaliser within sight and with the stroke of luck in their favour, Moneygall found the security score from Adam Hogan late on to see out the win and book their quarter-final place next weekend.

Moneygall: Kevin McCormack; Shay Gleeson (0-1), Brendan Toohey, Roddy Teehan; Jack Kirwan, Andy Hoolan; Cian Ryan, Joe Fogarty (0-2), Aodhan Ryan; Paddy Fogarty, Adam Hogan (0-4, 0-1f), Bob Kenny; Eoghan Doughan (0-10, 0-7f), Tadhg Whyte (0-1), Sean Kenneally (1-1).

Subs used: Eoin Whyte for J Kirwan (28-32, temp); Sean Fogarty for A Ryan (43); Eoin Whyte for Kenny (55).

Éire Óg Annacarty: Darragh Mooney; Darragh O’Brien, David Fox, Mixie Bradshaw; Brian Fox, Tom Fox, Daniel Kelly; Connie Bradshaw (0-1), Seanie Ryan; Donal O’Dwyer (0-3), Conor O’Brien (0-2), Paul Devlin; Darragh Kelly, Kevin Fox (0-1), Aidan Griffin (0-12, 0-9f).

Subs used: Paudie Bradshaw (0-1) for S Ryan (45); Eoin Bradshaw for Darragh Kelly (56); Conor Devlin for K Fox (58).

Referee: Shane O’Neill (St Mary’s)

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