Cashel King Cormacs spring trap to down Kiladangan in Division 1 hurling final

Cashel King Cormacs defeated Kiladangan in The Ragg on Sunday

FBD Insurance County Hurling League - Division 1 Final

Cashel King Cormacs 4-19

Kiladangan 1-27

Cashel King Cormacs set down a marker for the upcoming championships with a narrow but richly deserved win over Kiladangan in an exciting FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling League Division 1 final at The Ragg on Sunday.

Having struggled to stay in touch with their rivals in the first half, and been fortunate to trail by just three points at the break (2-11 to 1-17), the West representatives took a firm grip on proceedings in the second half. A pair of goals in each half proved key to the Cashel success, which will greatly boost their prospects for the upcoming county and West championship campaigns.

A Cashel win looked unlikely during the opening half as they struggled to match the pace and slickness of their rivals, who looked sharp and focused as they reeled off an impressive 2-17. Kiladangan were full of energy, and their movement off the ball was excellent, while Cashel were hanging on by their fingernails.

Cathal Quinn’s goal after six minutes from a Ger Browne pass put Cashel 1-2 to 0-3 ahead, but Seán Hayes responded with a goal for Kiladangan two minutes later. That score, followed by a series of unanswered points, helped the North men move 1-9 to 1-3 clear. Billy Seymour’s free-taking and point doubles from Alan Flynn and Seán Hayes underpinned that surge.

Cashel remained in contention, and Ger Browne’s goal after 21 minutes kept them in touch at 2-7 to 1-14 when they looked in danger of being swamped. The interval arrived with Kiladangan ahead by three points, a margin that did not reflect their superiority in the opening period. However, Cashel would have the aid of the breeze after the restart and, despite their below-par showing, remained very much in the picture. The faulty Kiladangan shooting also helped their cause.

The second half began slowly. Eoghan Connolly was denied a goal from a twenty-metre free and ten minutes passed before the first score of the half, an Eoghan Connolly free. A hat-trick of Billy Seymour pointed frees stretched Kiladangan’s lead to 1-22 to 2-14 by the three-quarter mark.

Cashel still appeared to be struggling to bridge the gap, but David McGrath’s goal after 51 minutes levelled matters. Ger Browne followed with a point before Cathal Quinn struck Cashel’s fourth goal to put them ahead 4-18 to 1-24. Suddenly, it was a very different game.

Kiladangan responded through Billy Seymour, but Devon Ryan quickly countered for Cashel. The North men piled on the pressure as they chased the lead and desperately needed a goal. Willie Connors pointed after 59 minutes and Conor Bryan added another in injury time, but the clock ran out, and Cashel were celebrating at Kevin Jordan’s final whistle.

It was a fine contest and very much a game of two halves in terms of dominance, though there was little between the sides on the scoreboard throughout.

Kiladangan may feel they let it slip, but Cashel’s resolve paid dividends and sets them up nicely for the serious business ahead.

With county players back in the fold, it was a fair indication of things to come and Cashel clearly showed that, in their second campaign back at senior level, they will be formidable opposition for anyone.

Cathal Quinn had an excellent game, finishing with 2-1, while Ger Browne registered 1-3 from a midfield-come-sweeper role. Ross Bonnar made an impact when introduced, while Ronan Connolly and David McGrath also had strong performances. Eoghan Connolly and Oisín O’Donoghue contributed well without grabbing the headlines.

Kiladangan have some soul-searching to do before the North championship begins. Conceding four goals, through no fault of goalkeeper Barry Hogan, will be a concern, as will their failure to be more clinical in front of goal.

Their cause was not helped by an injury to former county full-back James Quigley, and they also had some absentees whose return will strengthen their championship challenge.

Alan Flynn was outstanding in the number six shirt during the first half; Billy Seymour’s accuracy from frees was invaluable, while Seán Hayes also impressed early on. Dan O’Meara worked tirelessly throughout, and Willie Connors chipped in with two points, but overall it was a performance that raised more questions than it answered.

Scorers: Cashel King Cormacs: Cathal Quinn 2-1, David McGrath, Ger Browne 1-3 each, Eoghan Connolly (0-4, 0-3f), Devon Ryan (0-4, 0-2f), Ross Bonnar 0-2, Denis O’Callaghan, Ronan Connolly 0-1 each.

Kiladangan: Billy Seymour (0-13, 0-12f), Sean Hayes 1-3, Alan Flynn, Willie Connors, Conor Byrne 0-2 each, Bryan McLoughney, Joe Gallagher, Darren Moran, Michael Cleary, Tadhg Gallagher 0-1 each.

Cashel King Cormacs: Aaron Browne; Conn Bonnar, Nathan Ryan, Anthony Walsh; Conor O’Dwyer, Eoghan Connolly, Kieran O’Dwyer; Ronan Connolly, Ger Browne; Briain O’Donoghue, Oisin O’Donoghue, Cathal Quinn; Denis O’Callaghan, Devon Ryan, David McGrath.

Subs used: Ross Bonnar for Walsh (44); Colm Ryan for B O’Donoghue (52).

Kiladangan: Barry Hogan; David Sweeney, James Quigley, Darragh Butler; Willie Connors, Alan Flynn, Matthew Cleary; Tadgh Gallagher, Conor Bryan; Darren Moran, Billy Seymour, Dan O’Meara; Sean Hayes, Joe Gallagher, Bryan McLoughney.

Subs used: Darragh Flannery for Quigley (43); Tom Boland for McLoughney (47); Jack McGrath for Butler (50).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)