Honours even as Effin and Croagh-Kilfinny can't be separated

IN A contest that the sides were level on a remarkable 14 occasions, Croagh Kilfinny and Effin couldn’t be separated in their opening round clash in the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship.

Beaten in the 2025 final, it was Effin, who levelled late on, through Ewan Dillon. Despite both sides having stoppage time chances to take the victory, neither could argue with the result.

Croagh-Kilfinny, who fell at the semi-final stage in 2025, will have liked plenty of their showing, with Jack Lenihan and James Lanigan having a strong influence on their performance.

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Both these sides will have ambitions of winning the championship, and therefore, an opening round point is welcomed.

Adrian Barrett was able to call upon Patrick O’Donovan, a panelist with Limerick this season, and three-time All-Star Nickie Quaid. Centre-half back Quaid, was flanked by his brother Tommy, the team captain.

While O’Donovan and Quaid had their moments, it was Fergal and Ruairí O’Connor who shone bright for the south side.

Scores from Cian O’Carroll, Jack Lenihan and Seamus Hickey were key to having James Hall’s Croagh side 0-10 to 0-8 ahead by half-time.

O’Carroll cut over a sideline while Conor Lenihan also picked off two long-range points, wind assisted. Turning with the wind at their backs, Effin had first half-scores from both O’Connor’s and Frankie Herr, while Pierse O’Kelly’s kicked effort deflected over via the crossbar.

This contest could have had a green flag or two, but both Ryan O’Neill and Dave Lynch were in good form in either goal.

The longest run of scores in the whole game was just three, as the sides traded blow after blow in a tense second half. Cillian O’Riordan and Jack Lenihan both landed big scores, while John Wall arrowed over from an acute angle.

Lynch pointed a free from his own half, as Croagh levelled the contest at 0-16 each on 55 minutes, before Seamus Lenihan and later Ewan Dillion both landed points to see the points shared.

Lanigan and later O’Donovan both had late chances to win the contest but they had to settled for a draw. Effin may rue nine second half wides which brought their total to 13, while Croagh-Kilfinny registered a dozen.

Effin face Bruff next weekend, while Croagh-Kilfinny will meet Dromin-Athlacca.

SCORERS - CROAGH-KILFINNY: Cian O’Carroll 0-5 (2f, 1 ‘65, 1 s/l), Jack Lenihan 0-4, Conor Lenihan and Seamus Lenihan 0-2 each, Seamus Hickey, John Wall, James Lanigan (1f) and Dave Lynch (1f) 0-1 each; EFFIN: Paddy O’Donovan 0-4 (3f), Fergal O’Connor, Ewan Dillon and Ruairí O’Connor 0-3 each, Cillian O’Riordan 0-2, Frankie Herr and Pierse O’Kelly 0-1 each.

CROAGH-KILFINNY: Dave Lynch; Denis Lenihan, Tom McMahon, Eoin Barry; Conor Lenihan, Barry Lenihan, Seamus Hickey; Nessan Leahy, Semaus Lenihan; Jack Lenihan, Cian O’Carroll, James Lanigan; Darragh O’Carroll, John Wall, Brian Hannon; Subs: Gearoid Lenihan for D O’Carroll (38 mins), Bryan Flynn for Hannon (46 mins), Sonny Madigan for Leahy (55 mins).

EFFIN: Ryan O’Neill; Roberty Cagney, Alan Byrne, Mark Mullins; Brian Clifford, Nickie Quaid, Tommy Quaid (Capt); Hugh O’Neill, Fergal O’Connor; Ewan Dillon, Patrick O’Donovan, Ruairí O’Connor; Cillian O’Riordan, Pierse O’Kelly, Frankie Herr; Subs: Jason O’Keeffe for Cagney (9 mins, inj), Ben O’Donovan for O’Neill (46 mins), Cathal Canning for O’Kelly (55 mins).

Referee: Eamonn Stapleton (Doon).