'The slip was written out and given - and then he scored 1-1'

TIMING can be everything in sport.

As Conor Staunton warmed up and was ready to take to the field, you don’t know if Pierce Connery knew he number was up.

In the thrust of a Whitebox Senior Hurling Championship semi-final, the rising star may not have even noticed the Kilmallock management were preparing to make a change.

Thankfully for Connery and for the Balbec, he was able to finish low after Phelim O’Reilly gave the pass for Kilmallock’s crucial second goal.

“Myself and the lads probably made a mistake taking off Pierce, it was probably a rush of blood to the head,” confessed manager James Hickey after the match.

“The slip was written out and given to the fourth official and he scored 1-1 after that.”

Eventually Staunton got on the field and scored a crucial point himself, showing the ability the south Limerick men are able to hold in reserve.

“The lads off the bench - Paudie (O’Brien) made a difference, Gearoid (Enright) made a difference, the way it’s gone, it’s a 20-man game. We have a panel there and we’re not afraid to throw lads in,” Hickey said.

Whatever about the decision to withdraw Connery, Kilmallock managed the game well on and off the field.

Monaleen played the better hurling for large parts, Lorcan Lyons giving the city men a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after 11 minutes.

Points from Connery, Shane O’Brien and Graeme Mulcahy ensured the winners only trailed by two at the interval.

Just as they looked to be back in it, Andrew La Touche Cosgrave got the Monaleen goal.

But, again, Kilmallock fought back. A goal from Oisin O’Reilly then the aforementioned 1-1 from Connery put them in control.

“We were down for large parts, we went five up, with only three to go in normal time, we felt we had enough to see it out with a small lead,” Hickey said.

“But being the team they are, they just never said die.

"They got an unbelievably well worked goal, got it back to a point, it was nip and tuck the whole way.

“The character the boys showed inside, they just worked and worked and worked and they got their due reward.”

When the sides met in the group stage, goalkeeper Conor Hanley Clarke hit a late winner as Kilmallock topped the group.

This meant a bye to the last four while Monaleen got valuable game-time in their win over Mungret St Pauls.

The south Limerick men were flawless with five wins from five in group stage but were ready for the step-up in intensity that comes with the knockout stages of the championship.

“It can be a little tricky when you play your group stages because that's one competition and the next competition is the semi-final and see where that takes us, but to a man they worked and worked.

“All you want to do is give yourself a chance to be in the final day of the championship and once you are there you have a chance.”

Na Piarsaigh and a thrilling final awaits on October 25.