Sean Curran superb as Mullinahone heap further misery on Killenaule
South u-21 HC 'A' semi-final replay
Mullinahone 4-15
Killenaule 3-5
Sometimes a season which promises much goes suddenly sour for a club. 2010 could yet be such a season for Killenaule. They lost the SH final to Swan and now a week later they have gone down heavily to Mullinahone in the replay of the "Bob Fitzgerald U2l hurling semi-final.
In the original fixture Mullinahone felt aggrieved when they had to play without one of their top players who was repeating a 3rd level exam and a change of time for the game could not be agreed on. A magnificent point from his own half in time added on by Kieran Murphy rescued Killenaule in that game. On Sunday in Anner Park, Cloneen, an almost full strength Mullinahone who showed much improvement on the first day didn't allow Killenaule a second chance. They were fired up and led from the front by centre forward Sean Curran, a sometimes Tipp U21 panelist who was both a ball winner and a scorer for his side. On the day his contribution overshadowed that of John O'Dwyer but in fairness Curran received great backup from his team while Killenaule were too dependent on O'Dwyer frees for scores.
Mullinahone missed an early free before Thomas Nolan pointed for Killenaule. In six minutes Sean Curran pointed a free to equalize and three minutes later he pointed again when one of the Killenaule forwards was yellow carded. A minute later Killenaule were back level. On 13 minutes Kieran Murphy saw yellow. The resultant free fell short. A flashing drive was well saved by Rory Loughman at the expense of a 65 which Sean Curran pointed. Three minutes later county minor Cathal Horan was in the right place under a dropping ball to drive to the net.
Two minutes later Curran was tripped, got up and belted the ball over the bar. A minute later John O'Dwyer pulled a point back from a free. On 23 minutes Curran pointed another free when Cathal Bergin saw yellow. Two minutes later John O'Dwyer pointed a 65. A minute later Mullinahone conceded a close in free and O'Dwyer rattled the net. On 27 minutes Joseph Meagher saw yellow. Mullinahone unwisely went for a goal. The attempt was blocked but broke out to Kevin Walzer who pointed to leave the halftime score Mullinahone 1-6 Killenaule 1-4.
During half time Mullinahone replaced Denis Connolly with Niall O'Brien. In the early seconds of the second half Cathal Horan missed a goal chance but then Sean Curran was left unattended and waltzed through for a fine goal. Shortly afterwards he sent Mullinahone six points ahead with a fine point on his left. At this stage Gary Cronin who was in defence for Mullinahone was very impressive clearing repeatedly.
Killenaule now needed a break and they got it in the 9th minute. They were awarded a close in free for a late tackle outfield and O'Dwyer' s effort completely bamboozled the Mullinahone defenders. Sean Curran pulled back a point from the puck-out. Denis Connolly then came back on. Michael McGrath fielded in midfield for Killenaule and pointed to reduce the gap to three points.
Just as Killenaule appeared to be coming back into the game, Cathal Horan struck. First he pointed on 14 minutes and then goaled two minutes later. In the next three minutes, Mullinahone had three points from Denis Connolly, Cathal Horan and Eddie Phelan whose point raised a great cheer. Thomas Nolan then deceived Alan Walsh in the Mullinahone goal but within a minute Niall O’Brien goaled when he was placed by Denis Connolly who certainly showed improved form in his second coming.
The final five minutes were uneventful as Mullinahone soaked up Killenaule pressure with 17 year old Tipp minor panelist Eoin Fennelly in splendid form. Mullinahone finished with a flourish. On 30 minutes Fennelly passed to Chris Horan who pointed. A minute later Niall O’Brien added another and then Cathal Horan brought the curtain down with a fine point.
Mullinahone won because they had a fine leader in Sean Curran who inspired from the front. It was not, however, a one man show but a team effort. In defence the Cronin brothers Gary and Niall as well as Brian Treacy stood out. At midfield, but more so in defence Eoin Fennelly played well. Eddie Phelan tried hard and up front another 17 year old Cathal Horan could be lethal. Kevin Walzer, both O’Briens and Denis Connolly all contributed around Curran.
Killenaule really never got going. Goalie Loughman was beaten four times yet couldn’t be blamed for any of the goals. Further out Michael McGrath played well while Kevin Prendergast and Thomas Nolan also showed up well. Up front too much responsibility fell on John O’Dwyer and far too many of the Killenaule scores came as a result of frees. This is something that Mullinahone will have to concern themselves with before the final with either Moyle Rovers or Ballingarry but on Sunday they looked to be a promising outfit.
Mullinahone: Alan Walsh, Cathal Horan, Niall Cronin, Joseph O’Meara, Ciaran O’Shea, Brian Treacy, Keith Mullally, Eddie Phelan, Eoin Fennelly, Denis Connolly, Sean Curran, Nigel O’Brien, Cathal Horan, Kevin Walzer, Gary Cronin.
Killenaule: Rory Loughman, Joseph Meagher, Stephen Hannigan, Aidan Leahy, Cathal Bergin, Kieran Murphy, Michael McGrath, Kevin Prendergast, Thomas Nolan, Conor Prendergast, Robert Hall, Daniel Guinan, Colin Van Dikkenburg, John O’Dwyer, Joe O’Dwyer.
Referee: Seamus Roche. (Kilsheelan/Kilcash).
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Weather for Clonmel
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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