AIB Leinster Club SHC Quarter-Final

Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-17 St Mullins 1-12

By Kieran Murphy at Netwatch Cullen Park

Pre-match favourites, Kilcormac Killoughey advanced to the semi-final with a hard-fought victory over St Mullins at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday.

The visitors all, but secured their victory in the opening quarter where they led 1-6 to 0-2 after 15 minutes. Points from Adam Screeney, Conor Mahon and Brecon Kavanagh helped them build confidence while St Mullins, who had not played a competitive game for 13 weeks, were off-colour.

Ger Coady and Marty Kavanagh were their only scorers in that opening spell where Daniel Hand pounced for a goal when St Mullins keeper, Kevin Kehoe, failed to clear.

Having played their county final 13 weeks ago, the Carlow side’s first touch was disappointing. On the other hand, Kilcormac Killoughey swooped with intent and while they registered a number of wides, they looked far too strong for the home team.

St Mullins struggled but eventually got into the game with points from their intercounty players, Conor Kehoe, Kavanagh and James Doyle. At the break, Kilcormac-Killoughey led 1-8 to 0-5.

A 38^th minute goal from Doyle gave St Mullins hope when he caught a high ball and cut through the Kilcormac Killoughey defence. With a modicum of space, he found the net off the crossbar. The visitors raised the intensity forcing a succession of frees. ‘Keeper, Conor Slevin raised two white flags with strikes from inside his own half. Adam Screeney also converted two frees.

St Mullins never gave in. Doyle and centre-half back, Michael Walsh pointed. Kilcormac Killoughey substitute, James Gorman, hit back with a good score which put five between them as the game headed towards injury time. The five minutes added time gave St Mullins the incentive to persevere.

They came up against a visiting defence who never allowed their opponents the space or time to find another goal. Colin Spain’s point finished the scoring, while St Mullins will look back with regrets on that opening quarter where they allowed the visitors to get away from them.

Scorers for Kilcormac Killoughey: A Screeney 0-4 (4fs), D Hand 1-0, J Screeney 0-3, C Mahon, C Slevin 0-2 (2fs) each, E Grogan, C Mitchell, J Gorman, B Kavanagh , D Kilmartin, C Spain 0-1 each

Scorers for St Mullins: James Doyle 1-4, M Kavanagh 0-3 (2fs), C Kehoe, J Kavanagh, G Coady, M Walsh, P Boland 0-1 each.

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Conor Slevin; Tom Spain, Oisin Mahon, James Mahon; Jordan Quinn, Enda Grogan, Brecon Kavanagh; Colin Spain, Damien Kilmartin; Leigh Kavanagh, Conor Mahon, James Screeney; Daniel Hand, Charles Mitchell, Adam Screeney.

Subs: Peter Geraghty for Hand (41), James Gorman for J Screeney (54), Cathal Kiely for Kilmartin (54), Alex Kavanagh for A Screeney (57).

St Mullins: Kevin Kehoe; Paidi O’Shea, Paul Doyle, Paudie Kehoe; Ger Coady, Michael Walsh, Ciaran Harris; Conor Kehoe, Eamon O’Shea; Jack Kavanagh, James Doyle, Paddy Boland; Marty Kavanagh, John Doyle, Jason O’Neill.

Subs: John Doran for J Kavanagh (blood 18), Oisin Ryan for J Kavanagh (51), John Doran for Harris (54).

Referee: Padraig Dunne (Laois)