February 19, 2012

Kilconieron U-21 team got off to a winning start to the 2012 campaign by defeating a dogged Cois Fharraige team at Ballyloughnane grounds. 

The pitch was very heavy and doubts were raised as to whether the game would proceed by the referee. However, with the agreement of both camps, the game went ahead. Scores were hard to come by early on and it was 5 minutes before Shane Conway opened the scoring with a well taken point. Cois Fharraige responded a minute later with their own point to level matters. 

The men from Connemara then got a lucky break when the Kilconieron full back deflected the ball into his own net. Kieran Murray got a point for Kill but the opponents responded with two points to increase their advantage. Murray added two points for Kill before Cois Fharraige broke through for another goal. John Egan then got on the end of a long ball to flick to the net for a tonic goal. Cois Fharraige struck back again with another point before the heavens opened minutes before half time. Sean Hickey struck a point before Kieran Murray executed a fine placed ball to leave the scores at Kilconieron 1-6 to Cois Fharraige 2-4.

The second half commenced in calmer and sunny weather which made hurling conditions better, and Kilconieron started to stamp their authority on the game. They started to find valuable space which in turn carved out scoring opportunities which they duly took. Shane Caulfield levelled with a point; Cormac Dillon found space to raise a green flag before Liam Cannon came to life with the first of four hard earned points in the second half. 

Cois Fharraige tried to respond and were rewarded with four points which amounted to all of their scores of the second half. Murray notched another point and 

Kilconieron drove on and two more goals came from Liam Cannon and Kieran Murray to leave a credible score of 4-11 to 2-8 in favour of Kilconieron. Good performances from all players in very tough conditions. The winners of Mullagh and Killimordaly await Kilconieron in the next round.

Kilconieron U21 Team: Back (l-r) James Walsh, Shane Caulfield, Cormac Dillon, Niall Maher, Liam Canon, Paul Uniacke, Padraic Burke, Gary McGrath, David Heavey
Front (l-r) Evan Dempsey, Eric Donohue, Padraig Flanagan, Kieran Murray, Ollie Uniacke, Shane Conway, Sean Hickey, Ronan Fahey