Kickhams get the job done in West Hurling Championship victory over Clonoulty Rossmore

Tipperary Credit Union West Intermediate Hurling Quarter Final

Knockavilla Kickhams 1-22 

Clonoulty Rossmore 2-13

By John O’Shea 

Clonoulty Rossmore suffered a second-half meltdown when going down to Knockavilla Kickhams in the Tipperary Credit Union West Intermediate Hurling Quarter Final at Leahy Park, Cashel, on Sunday evening.

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Played in fresh conditions, before a good crowd, Clonoulty Rossmore took control of the game from the start and, helped by a fortuitous goal after fifty seconds from Padraig Carew, they set the pace for the opening thirty minutes and were good value for their half-time five points lead. 

They led 1-4 to 0-4 after ten minutes, and when Alex Carroll latched on to a breaking ball one minute later, to crash home goal number two, they went six up. 

They continued to set the pace for the remainder of the half with Philip Kelleher finding his range well from frees and open play. Shane Buckley kept Kickhams in touch, scoring six points, but trailed at the break 2-10 to 0-11.

This game was effectively won and lost in the eight minutes after the restart as Kickhams came out a different team for the second half. They hit 1-3 inside four minutes, the goal coming from Elliott Thompson after good work on the right from Ben Ryan. 

They went three to the good after seven minutes and pushed on from there with Cormac Carr beginning to cause problems in attack. 

Their half-back line closed up shop, and Clonoulty were limited to just three points during this second half, with two of those from placed balls. They were still in the game after 42 minutes, with just a point separating the sides, but it was all Kickhams on the scoreboard for the final quarter as they kicked on and ran out six-point winners at the finish.

Clonoulty Rossmore attacked the dressing room end for the opening half and were quickly into the action. They got a big break inside the opening minute, when a long delivery by Padraig Carew, from inside his own half, went all the way directly to the Kickhams' net. 

Michael Gleeson opened the black and amber account sixty seconds later with a well-taken point, but it was Clonoulty who pushed on. Points from Kieran Carroll and Paddy Kennedy stretched their advantage out to four before Shane Buckley, from a placed ball, and Adam Daly, from open play, cut the deficit to two by the sixth minute. 

Philip Kelleher, from a free and open play, kept Clonoulty to the fore before Shane Buckley added his second from a placed ball. Clonoulty were pumping long balls down on the Kickhams' defence, and Alex Carroll was on hand to latch on to a breaking ball before finding the net after eleven minutes to put his side six points up. Shane Buckley and Cormac Carr pulled two back before Clonoulty hit four of the next five points from Kelleher, Padraig Carew, Oisin Fryday, and Stevie Quinn. 

Kickhams reply came from Shane Buckley, but Clonoulty led by seven by the eighteenth minute.  Kickhams picked up their game and rallied for the remainder of the half, with Cormac Carr coming more into the game. Buckley and Kelleher traded minors from placed ball, but Kickhams finished the stronger, scoring the last two points of the half, cutting the deficit to five, 2-10 to 0-11.

Following the restart, Kickhams upped the intensity from the throw-in, and an early point from Lorcan Carr signalled their intent. Adam Daly and Cormac Carr found the range before Elliott Thompson struck gold with a low shot to the corner, after good work from Ben Ryan. Kickhams were now in front for the first time, and Shane Buckley and Michael Gleeson stretched the lead to three by the 37th minute.  

Philip Kelleher and Alex Carroll hit back with two minors, but it was Kickhams who were the more dangerous. Davy Butler hit two on the bounce before Philip Kelleher put over his seventh of the evening. However, this was to be Clonoulty’s last score as they failed to raise a flag for the final eleven minutes plus added time.  

Shane Farrell scored from his first touch, having replaced the injured Michael Gleeson with ten minutes remaining, while Elliott Thompson, Cormac Carr, and Shane Buckley all found the target in those final minutes. Kickhams are over their first hurdle and now play Cappawhite in the semi-final.

Knockavilla Kickhams: Shane Buckley (0-8, 0-6f), Cormac Carr 0-4, Elliott Thompson 1-1, Adam Daly 0-3, Davy Butler, Michael Gleeson 0-2 each, Lorcan Carr, Shane Farrell 0-1 each.

Clonoulty Rossmore: Philip Kelleher (0-7, 0-5f), Alex Carroll, Padraig Carew 1-1 each, Stevie Quinn, Oisín Fryday, Paddy Kennedy, Kieran Carroll 0-1 each.

Knockavilla Kickhams: Eoin Horgan; Eddie Daly, Bill Creamer, Tom O’Driscoll; Davy Butler, Lorcan Carr, Mike McCormack; Paudie Slattery, Adam Daly; Conor Farrell, Shane Buckley, Michael Gleeson; Ben Ryan, Cormac Carr, Elliott Thompson.

Subs used: Shane Farrell for Michael Gleeson (50, inj).

Clonoulty Rossmore: Martin Sadlier; Keelan Ryan, Padraig Carew, Seamus Kennedy; James Heffernan, Ciaran Quirke, Sean O’Connor; Stevie Quinn, Paddy Kennedy; Oisín Fryday, Aaron Ryan (Rody), Alex Carroll; Kieran Carroll, Thomas Butler, Philip Kelleher.

Subs used: Nicky Kearns for Kieran Carroll (43, inj); Niall Shanahan for Padraig Carew (45, inj); Paddy Ryan for Oisín Fryday (57)

Referee: Paddy Russell (Emly)

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