Minor Hurling Semi Final - Shinrone 2-10 K/K 0-13

[Lone Shark]

I normally don't post reports from games like this, but this was honestly one of the most enjoyable games I've been at all year. Fantastic stuff!


Both these sides would have gone into this semi final knowing that whichever of them reached the final, the winners of the Birr and Rynaghs clash would still be clear favourites to lift the trophy. Although that will still be the case, Shinrone will take great confidence from the way they had to dig deep, overcome a deficit and hold on in a tense finish in Banagher last Sunday afternoon. In a game that could easily have gone either way, a few flashes of quality from first cousins Mark and Damien Bevans made all the difference in a game where the commitment and passion alone showed by both teams was worthy of victory.

Indeed, such was the skill level and drive shown by both clubs, this has to rank as one of the most thoroughly enjoyable games this reporter has had the privilege to attend in a long time. The crowd in attendance was both passionate and vocal, and added no small amount of colour to a game which was packed with incident from start to finish. However ultimately the plaudits must go to the players, many of whom showed great ability and tenacity, and were each a credit to their respective clubs.

When the game began, there was a sharp breeze blowing from the road end of St. Rynagh’s Park, and K/K had advantage in the first period. They did concede the first score to Conor Delaney after two minutes, but then found their groove and hit three good scores from distance to lead by two after ten. Their defence was also getting the upper hand, though sheer class is always difficult to stop - Damien Bevans in the right corner would have been earmarked as a threat before the game, but no amount of marking could have prevented his first score – a beautiful over the shoulder shot from out on the right while running away from goals. James Gorman replied almost immediately with his second score of the game, and when centre back Brian Leonard put over a huge free from inside his own half near the right hand touchline, his side were three points in front with only twelve minutes on the clock, an well on course to advance.

That they were kept within arm’s reach for the remainder of the half was as a result of several factors. Firstly, the Shinrone forward line were much more efficient, hitting only one wide in the whole half hour, as opposed to six for K/K. Secondly, the Shinrone full back line was completely on top, keeping their counterparts scoreless for the whole game, and ensuring that there were no attempts on goal throughout the period. Finally, their midfield and half back line, Eoin Smith and Morgan Lawlor in particular, hurled a lot of ball and ensured that their defence was getting regular respites.

Most of the scores for the remainder of the first half were frees, two for Mark Bevans and one for Damien, while Daniel Currams hit one for K/K. David Mitchell got the half’s other score, leaving things nicely balanced at the break at 0-7 to 0-5.

The second half started slowly, with another long range Leonard free and a second Conor Delaney point the only scores of the first ten minutes. The hurling was very intense, with Declan Cooke’s lenient approach meaning that both sides were tackling with no shortage of vim or vigour, and though the striking was rarely malicious, the game did boil over on occasion. One such schemozzle led to Daniel Currams striking over another free on twelve minutes, before Shinrone took the game by the scruff of the neck when Damien Bevans scored his two goals in five minute burst.

There was certainly no comparing the two strikes. The first was a sumptuous run and finish that would have graced any hurling field. He took a pass from Darren O’Meara, lifted cleanly and turned his man in one movement, before evading another backsman with great pace. He shot from about twenty metres out, rifling the ball past the keeper into the side of the net, giving him no chance. The second was a lot more perspiration than inspiration – Patrick Byrne in the K/K goal failed to deal with a high ball in, and the sliothar dropped in the six yard box and stuck in the mud. Several players piled in trying to make the decisive connection, and eventually it was Bevans who scrummaged the ball over the line. From the puckout Mark Bevans had the ball over the bar almost immediately, and the Shinrone crowd was ecstatic as the end line looked to be in sight.

Most of this Kilcormac team would have been part of last years U-16 county title however, and with success comes confidence and belief. They never gave up, and made a final push with ten minutes remaining, Joe Dunican scoring from close range before Currams followed that with a fine point from out on the left. Their backs were hurling well, but again, sheer class was to stem the tide. Mark Bevans took the ball in on his own 45, and burst forward down the right wing, beating two players before converting on the run from out on the sideline to complete a point that was nothing short of outstanding. Conor Delaney pushed the lead out to four again, before K/K had their one and only goal chance of the game. James Gorman ran from midfield and evaded several players, and he hit a great shot from 25m out. Liam Feighery blocked the ball, but the rebound fell towards John Flynn, who tried to force the ball over the line. However Feighery had reacted well, and he smothered the ball, and got it clear. Mitchell and Currams with points pulled the deficit back again, but even with five minutes of injury time – well warranted it must be said – they never looked like getting the goal needed, and substitute Darren Crean rounded matters off with the final score of the game and sent his team on to a final where St. Rynagh’s now lie in wait.


Teams:

Shinrone: Liam Feighery; Keith McNamara, JP Cummins, Donal Egan; John Bevans, Eoin Hand, Eoin Smith; Morgan Lawlor, Eoin McKelvey; Mark Bevans (0-4, 0-2 frees), Darren O’Meara, Niall Cleary; Damien Bevans (2-2, 0-1 free), Conor Delaney (0-3), Niall Rigney.

Sub: Darren Crean (0-1) for John Bevans.

Kilcormac/Killoughey: Patrick Byrne; Cillian Leonard, Damien Kilmartin, Eoin Gorman; Chris Guinan, Brian Leonard (0-2, frees), Paddy Cleary; Joe Dunican (0-2), Shane Gonoud; David Mitchell (0-2), Daniel Currams (0-5, 0-3 frees), James Gorman (0-2); Paul Gleeson, Derry Guinan, John Flynn.

Subs: Conor Mahon for Paddy Cleary, Kevin Breen for John Flynn.

Referee: Declan Cooke

[Bogman]

Great report Lone Shark. Makes the final an enticing prospect!!

[Treasurer]

Great game alright.

I don't mean to be picky, but Eoin Hand should be Hannon and Conor Delaney should be Gerard Delaney.

[Lone Shark]

Crap - that's what I get for taking the names secondhand. Apologies to the two lads, though I'm sure they'll probably never read this!