Kilmallock extend winning run while Monaleen progress to quarter-final

A RARE outcome in Knocklong as both winners and losers left satisfied as Kilmallock’s 0-22 to 1-18 victory over Monaleen was enough to see both sides progress in the Whitebox Senior Hurling Championship.

The Balbec were already assured of a place in the semi-final ahead of this round 5 clash while the Castletroy men will play in the county quarter-final on September 26/27 after they bettered Ballybrown’s result on Thursday night.

Despite relief at progression, Ken Dunne’s side will be frustrated that they didn't see this game out after leading for much of the second half.

After bringing the south Limerick men to extra-time in last year’s quarter-final, they will feel this was also a game they should have won.

But, credit the south Limerick men who prevailed to keep their winning run going.

Goalkeeper Conor Hanley Clarke held his nerve to strike over a match-winning injury-time free to win the game. It was a third score for the ‘keeper to add to the three he got in the narrow win over Ahane last time out.

While Kilmallock lost free-taker Micheal Houlihan to an early injury, Pierce Connery also stepped up. The corner forward notched a dozen points, including four from play.

The bye to the semi-final will give James Hickey’s men some respite and a chance to get bodies in top shape while four of their fellow contenders - including Monaleen - battle it out.

They lost Houlihan almost immediately as he left the throw in limping and had Killian Hayes, who had made a bright start, forced to withdraw after 12 minutes.

The pair new leaving Knocklong that they had three weeks to get right for a county semi-final.

Playing into the breeze in the first half, Monaleen were fighting in the knowledge that defeat could have seen them eliminated from the championship.

A fine point from Donnacha O’Dalaigh saw them 0-5 to 0-4 ahead midway through the first half.

It was an opening quarter where there were plenty of mistakes on both sides - Kilmallock playing essentially a dead-rubber and Monaleen fighting for their lives.

The looseness in the play of both sides was evident when a misplaced Matthew Fitzgerald clearance went straight to Robbie Hanley and the returning Kilmallock man got his second point to level the game again.

As the sides swapped frees, Graeme Mulcahy got his name on the scoresheet to edge Kilmallock in front.

The south Limerick men finished the half the stronger of the two sides notching up six more points in the last 10 minutes of the half to take a 0-13 to 0-9 lead into the half time break.

But Monaleen came out strong after the break. Lorcan Lyons hit a monster score from his own half to edge them closer.

Seven minutes after the restart, they had the ball in the net. Lyons dropping ball wasn’t dealt with and it fell to Andrew La Touche Cosgrave who supplied the finish from close range.

However, discipline let down the city side after. On a night where they scored 0-11 from frees, Connery and Hanley Clarke punished the men in red time and time again.

In a nail-biting finish, it was the Kilmallock number 1 who stepped up and struck the late winner to see his side finish the group with a perfect five wins from five.

SCORERS - KILMALLOCK: Pierce Connery 0-12 (8f); Conor Hanley Clarke 0-3 (3f); Robbie Hanley and Shane O’Brien 0-2 each; Graeme Mulcahy, Steven Quirke and Oisin O’Reilly 0-1 each; MONALEEN: Lorcan Lyons 0-5 (2f, 1 ‘65); Andrew La Touche Cosgrave 1-1; Donnacha O’Dalaigh 0-4; Shane Hassett 0-2 (2f); Darragh Langan, Ronan Lyons, Joseph Fitzgerald, Lochlann McHale, Mark O’Dwyer and Dara Ferland 0-1 each.

KILMALLOCK: Conor Hanley Clarke; Aaron Costello, Robbie Egan, Jackie Dwane; Mark O’Loughlin, Ciaran O’Connor, Killian Hayes; Micheal Houlihan, Robbie Hanley; Steven Quirke, Shane O’Brien, Graeme Mulcahy; Pierce Connery, Gearoid Enright, Oisin O’Reilly; Subs: Conor Staunton for Houlihan (1 min); Dylan O’Brien for Hayes (13 mins); Paudie O’Brien for Staunton (40 mins).

MONALEEN: Jamie Power; Matthew Fitzgerald, Bryan Canny, Noel Clancy; Darragh Langan, Lorcan Lyons, Ronan Lyons; Joseph Fitzgerald, Lochlann McHale; Eoghan O’Driscoll, Shane Hassett, Mark O’Dwyer; Donnacha O’Dalaigh, Dara Ferland, Andrew La Touche Cosgrave; Subs: Luke Murphy for L Lyons (28 mins - h-t); Ben Hayes for Hassett (55 mins); Luke Murphy for O’Dwyer (46 mins); Eoghan Maher for Canny (59 mins).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Glenroe).