Killenaule march on to the last four in Tipperary's Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Killenaule 0-27 Carrick Swan 2-14

Killenaule powered their way into the semi-finals of the FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship with a comprehensive victory over south rivals Carrick Swan in Ardfinnan last Sunday.

A seven-point half-time lead was maintained right to the end and it swelled to thirteen at one point, as Killenaule served notice that the Seamus O’Riain Cup is very much on their radar this year.

The opening six minutes unfolded into a free-taking duel between Ciaran O’Dwyer and Gavin O’Halloran. Three placed balls for each side were successful and Tom Stakelum and Gavin O’Halloran added scores from play to make it four apiece, as both sides tested the water early on.

Mark Stakelum was particularly prominent for Killenaule, holding off defenders and engineering frees. For Swan, Gavin O’Halloran was a constant threat.

Joe O’Dwyer, Killenaule’s standout player this year, registered a great point from just inside his own half on ten minutes, before a brilliant move between Tom Stakelum and Eoin Barry saw Barry get on the board, and another Ciaran O'Dwyer free put the “Robins” four up.

Eoin Shaw then availed of more spadework from Mark Stakelum to shoot over. Further frees courtesy of great industry from Dean O’Connor afforded Ciaran O’Dwyer more marksmanship joy and while Gavin O’Halloran responded for Carrick, a gulf in class was emerging.

The lead could have been unassailable just before half-time, only for Kieran Lonergan’s brilliant save from a Mark Stakelum effort. Aaron Dunne fired over soon afterwards for Swan to erode the deficit somewhat but the combination play of Killenaule clicked into gear once more. Killian O’Dwyer stormed up the field for an excellent give-and-go point, assisted by Dean O’Connor.

Another Ciaran O’Dwyer free and a great point from Mark Stakelum, when he plucked one from the heavens, maintained the advantage. Moments later Eoin Shaw had his second, benefitting from a wayward short puckout as the interval loomed.

Swan, struggling now, gained a brief respite from Calum Walsh, who pointed from the stand side. The half-time score in no way flattered Killenaule, who led Swan 0-14 to 0-7 at the break.

A good start to the second half was imperative for Carrick and they had two of the opening three points. Owen Harrigan landed both scores in an effort to rouse the troops but Tom Stakelum, a goal threat throughout this championship, saw his deflected shot whizz past the post and Ciaran O’Dwyer made no mistake with the resultant 65.

It was difficult to see a path back for Carrick without raising a green flag and their opportunity came in the 43rd minute. Eric O’Halloran seized a clever pass from Kevin Lanigan and bore down menacingly on goal, only to be brilliantly dispossessed by the tigerish Jack Hassett.

Gavin O’Halloran had another free to narrow the gap but the much talked about third quarter belonged to Killenaule, who cemented the win with an avalanche of points. Mark Stakelum, a contender for man of the match, managed one off his knees, Eoin Barry combined with Dean O’Connor for another great score and then Eoin Shaw turned provider, as O’Connor’s workmanlike display was rewarded with a point.

Swan introduced veteran Danny O’Hanlon to kickstart a recovery mission but Killenaule were relentless and scores from Thomas Keaveney, Eoin Shaw and Tom Stakelum pushed the lead out to eleven with ten minutes to go - Stakelum’s solo effort a contender for the score of the day.

Gavin O’Halloran, often ploughing a lone furrow for Carrick, pointed another free but such was Swan’s urgency to gain inroads they began committing fouls, and Ciaran O’Dwyer put four frees in a row over the bar in the last five minutes.

The result long put to bed, Carrick to their credit brought respectability back to the scoreboard with the game in its dying embers. Gavin O’Halloran fired home a penalty and Eric O’Halloran scraped home a second goal, making it a seven-point game at the final whistle.

Killenaule improved significantly on their south final performance and seem to be building momentum at the right time.
Their spread of scores was impressive from the likes of Barry, Shaw, Ciaran O’Dwyer and the Stakelum brothers.

Bolstered by the tight marking in defence of Padraig and Killian O’Dwyer, Joe O’Dwyer and Jack Hassett, they should be a force to be reckoned with in the last four.

Killenaule: Joe Ceaser, Padraig O’Dwyer, Killian O’Dwyer (0-1), Jack Hassett, Jimmy Feehan, Joe O’Dwyer (0-1), Thomas Keaveney (0-1), Paddy Codd, Ciaran O’Dwyer (0-13, 12 frees, 1 65), Paudie Feehan, Dean O’Connor (0-1), Tom Stakelum (0-3), Eoin Shaw (0-3), Mark Stakelum (0-2), Eoin Barry (0-2).

Subs: Finn Nolan for Eoin Barry, Darragh Fitzgerald for Thomas Keaveney.

Carrick Swan: Kieran Lonergan, Dean Kiely, Billy Murphy, Jack Murphy, Colin Waters, Kevin Lanigan, Scott Hogan, Shane Torpey, Gavin O’Halloran (1-8, 1-0 penalty, 6 frees), Aidan Waters, Eric O’Halloran (1-0), Calum Walsh (0-1), Owen Harrigan (0-2), Taylor Fleming, Aaron Dunne (0-1).

Subs: Danny O’Hanlon for Aidan Waters, Corey Ryan (0-1) for Shane Torpey, Jamie Holloway for Calum Walsh.

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels).