Cappawhite remain on course to retain their West Tipperary Intermediate Hurling title

Cappawhite 1-20 Knockavilla/Donaskeigh Kickhams 1-18

Cappawhite, the holders, are safely through to the final of the Tipperary Credit Union West Intermediate Hurling Championship, following their two-point victory over Knockavilla/Doneskeigh Kickhams at Annacarty last Wednesday evening.

They appeared to be in danger of surrendering their title as they trailed by seven at the break but a second half comeback, led by Willie Barry, got them over the line. Barry was the difference at the end, hitting seven second half minors, which included five from play.

This was a hard-earned victory over a Kickhams side who took the game to Cappa from the start with a series of good scores during the first quarter. The opening goal came after seven minutes when Cormac Carr cut in along the end line before dispatching to Elliott Thompson, who blasted past Jerry O’Neill. The black and amber side went into a 1-2 to no score lead by the seventh minute.

Cappa’ steadied and came back into the game but were off the pace, looking dull and listless, with their first touch letting them down on occasions.

Kickhams, on the other hand, were full of energy, first to the ball and took their scores well. They had a good second quarter with Ben Loughman, Shane Buckley and Aidan Duggan prominent in defence while Davy Butler was unerring from placed balls. Cappa’ were finding scores hard to come by but Tom Treacy, David Buckley and Dara McCarthy kept them in the game.

Kickhams had gone into a seven-point lead after 25 minutes and retained it until the break.

Cappawhite were quickly out of the blocks in the second half and Willie Barry signalled his intent when he fired over after just 40 seconds.

Barry would go on to be the Cappawhite match-winner, after having a relatively quiet opening period. Dara McCarthy also upped his game and his link-up play with Barry, and particularly with Colm O’Dwyer, when he played a one-two, led to the goal after 47 minutes.

They hit a purple patch in a ten-minute spell between the 43rd and 53rd minutes, which yielded one goal and eight points without reply. This proved to be the period that eventually got them over the line and secured a place in next week’s final.

The score at half-time was Kickhams 1-11, Cappawhite 0-7.

The champions needed a good start to the second half if they were to advance to the final and Willie Barry set them on the road after just 40 seconds with a point from a placed ball from the midfield area. Scores were coming hard and fast as Kickhams hit back with a brace, Davy Butler from a free and Ben Ryan from open play, either side of a Willie Barry gem.

Barry was coming more into the game and was having a huge influence on proceedings, covering acres of ground and setting up scores. Daire Duggan, McCarthy from a close range free and Barry brought the sides to within three points of each other after 38 minutes. Again, Kickhams hit back with two Elliott Thompson minors inside a minute, but this was their last score until four minutes from time.

As the game headed into the final quarter, Tom Treacy started the Cappa’ comeback with his second point, before making way for Tommy Costello. Willie Barry hit his fifth before Colm O’Dwyer and Dara McCarthy played a one-two to find the Kickhams net. McCarthy tied the game for the first and only time with his fourth minor. It was all Cappawhite now as Colm O’Dwyer sent over to get their heads in front.

O’Dwyer then set up Willie Barry for a long-range effort from midfield, the first of his three points in a two-minute spell. Sam Carmody stretched the lead to five with seven minute minutes of normal time remaining.

Kickhams were not finished yet, as they staged a comeback. Davy Butler converted a free and Ben Ryan put three between the sides as the game entered added time. They bombarded the Cappa’ defence and Eoin Horgan had two twenty metre frees saved, the second at the expense of a 65. The 65 was their final chance to bring the game to extra time, but the floated effort just skimmed the crossbar and Kickhams’ gallant comeback ended.

Cappawhite: Jerry O’Neill, Mikey O’Brien, Sean Ryan (W), Philip Gantley, Kevin Stapleton, Ryan Renehan, Brendan Murphy, Rian Doody, Tom Treacy (0-2), Colm O’Dwyer (1-1), David Buckley (captain 0-3), Mikey English, Daire Duggan (0-1), Dara McCarthy (0-4, 3 frees), Willie Barry (0-8, 2 frees).

Subs: Sam Carmody (0-1) for Mikey English (46), Tommy Costello for Tom Treacy (46), Conor Gantley for Daire Duggan (54).

Knockavilla/Doneskeigh Kickhams: Eoin Horgan (0-2 frees), Eddie Daly, Ben Loughman, Aidan Duggan, Conor Farrell (Doneskeigh), Shane Buckley (0-1), Lorcan Carr (0-1), Jamie Duncan (captain), Paudie Slattery (0-1), Walter O’Carroll, Adam Daly (0-2), Elliott Thompson (1-2), Davy Butler (0-6 frees), Stephen Browne (0-1), Cormac Carr.

Subs: Ben Ryan (0-2) for Stephen Browne (HT), Barry McCarthy for Aidan Duggan (40), Paudie O’Carroll for Walter O’Carroll (58).

Referee: Donie Horan (Eire Og Annacarty Donohill).