Cappawhite fail to fire in All-Ireland final loss to Limerick side Kildimo Pallaskenry

Junior B Hurling Series All-Ireland Hurling Championship Final

Cappawhite 0-10

Kildimo Pallaskenry 2-13 

By Michael McCarthy

Cappawhite's 2024 Junior B season came to an end on Saturday last as Kildimo Pallaskenry ran out comfortable winners by nine points. The Limerick side had a point from a free inside the opening minute and quickly followed up with a goal and were never led throughout the 60 minutes. 

Cathal Downes gave a real tour de force for the winners, it was he who grabbed the opening goal after ninety seconds and he added a second on 34 minutes. He finished the game with 2-2 to his name and the play of the game. 

Aaron O'Donovan opened the scoring from a placed ball before Downes' goal and this was followed by an Anthony Barry free to get the Tipp side off the mark. Rodger Ryan and another O'Donovan free had Kildimo up five and they were already looking in control. 

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Ciarán Doody scored a well worked point for Cappawhite and a stalemate ensued for the next ten minutes. Downes scored a spectacular point from the stand side sideline to get things going again before Barry and O'Donovan would exchange a brace of frees each. Conor McMahon rounded out the first half scoring to send Kildimo Pallaskenry in at the break 1-7 to 0-4 to the good. 

The second period started in lively fashion with midfielder Luke Guinane scoring almost from the throw-in. Three minutes later the defining moment of the game came, Ciarán Doody picked up a ball near the sideline and went on a trademark solo run towards goal, he spilled the ball as he attempted to shoot but was subsequently fouled, after consulting with his umpires Ciarán Murphy awarded a penalty. 

Anthony Barry stepped over the penalty but his drive to his left was well saved by John Chawke in the Kildimo goal and when the clearance found it's way to Cathal Downes who ran at the defence and dispatched past a helpless Darragh Barry in the Cappawhite goal the lead was an unassailable ten points. 

An O'Donovan free stretched that lead further before two Barry frees got Cappawhite up and running in the half. O'Donovan again pointed from a free before Neil Clancy drove at the Kildimo defence, his shot from outside the 21' was well saved again by Chawke, who was having a sound game between the sticks. 

Cappawhite had four of the next five points from three Barry frees and a fine effort from Eoghan Ryan with an O'Donovan free the only Kildimo response. 

Both sides emptied the benches as time was running out, O'Donovan would add his eighth free before Cathal Downes fittingly rounded out the scoring before the final whistle. 

Kildimo Pallaskenry were full value for their win, Chawke was a hero in the goal with his penalty save being a real match winner, Evan Considine was assured at full-back while the half back line of Calum Coughlan, Kevin O'Connell and Gary Sheehan were always on top. 

Guinane and O'Shea once again won the midfield battle while Downes was the star performer upfront. O'Donaovan was flawless from placed balls and Conor McMahon tried hard all through. 

For Cappawhite, it was a tough day at the office, Cathal McCarthy and Ciarán Ryan tried hardest in defence while Ciarán Doody and Anthony Barry never gave up in the forwards. 

Pakie Barry was curtailed by the ankle injury picked up in the semi final and his influence was sorely missed upfront. 

Rodger Ryan accepted the Killeedy GAA perpetual trophy on behalf of his team mates and Kildimo Pallaskenry GAA club were crowned All-Ireland Junior B series champions. 

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In the clubhouse after the game Cathal Downes was named Player of the match while John Chawke received the Player of the Tournament. Five players from Cappawhite would be named on the Team of the Tournament namely Ross Dunne (4), Ciarán Ryan (6), Cian O'Carroll (7), Paddy Julian (8) and Anthony Barry (14). 

Cappawhite: Darragh Barry; Cathal McCarthy, Ben White, Ross Dunne; Fionn Brady, Ciarán Ryan, Cian O'Carroll; Paddy Julian, Neil Clancy; Eoghan Ryan (0-1), Ciarán Doody (0-1), Michael O'Neill; Pakie Barry, Anthony Barry (0-8, 0-7f), Tommy Coughlan. 

Subs used: Thomas Costello; Ger Ryan; Sean Cleary; Michael P Buckley; Cormac Heffernan. 

Kildimo Pallaskenry: John Chawke; Seamus Stokes, Evan Considine, Ciarán Downes; Calum Coughlan, Kevin O'Connell, Gary Sheehan; Marc O'Shea, Luke Guinane (0-1); Keel Moloney, Cathal Downes (2-2), Conor McMahon (0-1); Rodger Ryan (0-1), Dylan Corrigan, Aaron O'Donovan (0-8f). 

Subs used: Adam Butler; Matthew Lucey; Kieran O'Brien; Naoise McGarrigle; Dylan Moloney. 

Referee : Ciarán Murphy (Cork)