08/09/2023: A stellar second-quarter performance from Kildysart sees them edge Michael Cusacks 2-9 to 2-8 in round 4 of the Junior B Premier Championship to keep their hopes alive for the knockout stages. Kildysart currently sits joint third with Eire Og in group 1 on 3 points, with Kilrush and Lissycasey joint first on 4 points. Kilrush and Lissycasey face off against each other this Sunday (in Labasheeda at 5pm). It will all come down to the wire in a fortnight’s time as the final round pits Kildysart against Kilrush and Eire Og v Michael Cusacks. Kildysart is in a group of 5 teams so the top 3 teams secure a place in the quarter-finals, along with the top 2 from groups 2&3 and the final spot is determined by a playoff between the third-place teams in groups 2&3.
It was a lovely sunny evening in Quilty and Michael Cusack’s intended to make hay – notching up two goals before 8 minutes had elapsed on the clock. The first goal came in the third minute and then Cusack’s were awarded a penalty which was duly converted in the 7th. Damien Murtagh was keeping Kildysart in touch with three points (2 frees) but by the end of the 1st quarter, the men from Carron were ahead 2-3 to 0-3. Kildysart started to find momentum and came to life after a blazing run at goal by Mark Moloney careened off the upright and was cleared away from danger. The sides swapped points again to keep 6 points between them but Cusacks had no answer for the long strides of Colm Finucane who advanced on goal and pulled the trigger to give Kildysart their first major in the 20th minute. Joe Kelly then won the ball on the opposition 45, attacked and backed himself, and slotted over a lovely point to leave the gap at just two, Kildysart 1-5, Cusack’s 2-4, with 5 minutes remaining in the first half. Then Colm Finucane made another drive towards goal from the left-hand side and after drawing two defenders he placed the ball into the path of the on-running Mark Moloney, who fisted to the net. A point from Damien Hill completed the second quarter 8-point turn around pushing Kildysart out in front by two. Cusack’s pulled by one back just before the half-time whistle leaving only a single point between the sides, Kildysart 2-6, Cusack’s 2-5.
JJ McQuaid started off the scoring in the second half but his point and one from Damien Murtagh were quickly cancelled out by Cusack’s to keep Kildysart only 1 point to the good. Cusack’s levelled the match at 2-8 a piece turning into the final quarter and it was anyone’s game at this point. It all changed when substitute Ger “Bobby” Kelly was intentionally tripped and Cusack’s were blacked carded and down a man from the 18th minute. This effectively ended any comeback the Burren men might have conjured up. Ger Kelly converted his free in what would turn out to be the winning point. A goal save by Aidan O’Loughlin, combined with impactful subs and good game management ensured the Boys in Blue came away with the win. Final Score: Kildysart 2-9, Michael Cusack’s 2-8. Referee: Michael Talty.
Kildysart: Aidan O’Loughlin-captain, Paul O’Brien, Brendan Frawley, Nigel Boyhan, Diarmuid Ginnane, Joe Kelly (0-1), Mark Moloney (1-0), Shane McNelis, JJ McQuaid (0-1), Kieran Eyres, Colm Finucane (1-0), Damien Hill (0-1), Damien Murtagh (0-5, 2f), Liam Finn, Cillian McQuaid. Subs: Ger Kelly (0-1, 1f) for C. McQuaid (HT), Mikey Finn for Boyhan, Niall Ginnane for L. Finn (44 min), Christy Clancy for O’Brien (51 min), John Ginnane for Eyres (60 min).
