23/06/2021: “There wasn’t much between the two teams“ took on a new meaning this evening when Kildysart Juniors took on Cooraclare at home; wearing near identical jerseys, it was sometimes hard to tell the teams apart (for the fans at least). Having conceded their opening match to Doonbeg, Kildysart needed this win to get their campaign back on track.

Kildysart raced into an early lead with scores from Ger Kelly and Damien Hill but then fell into arrears with Cooraclare adding 4 unanswered scores. Nigel Boyhan, making his debut for Kildysart, steadied the ship with a point in the 10th minute. Damien Murtagh added his first point in between two Cooraclare scores to leave a two point gap at the first water break, Kildysart 0-4, Cooraclare 0-6. Kildysart added 5 points during the second quarter with two from Ryan Casey, and one each from Kelly and Niall Ginnane. But the score of the half belonged to Terry Murphy when he slotted over a long range effort. Kildysart led at the short whistle Kildysart 0-9, Cooraclare 0-7.

Scores from Kelly and Murtagh doubled Kildysart’s advantage and substitute Brian O’Sullivan added a point on his first touch. Another from Murphy followed by two from Cooraclare left Kildysart ahead at the last water break, Kildysart 0-13, Cooraclare 0-9. Kelly and Murtagh extended the home lead and by 60 minutes Kildysart were ahead by 6. In the 34th minute Cooraclare converted a penalty but Kelly added the insurance point and Kildysart ran out winners Kildysart 0-16, Cooraclare 1-9. With a scattering of 8 scorers, Kildysart are well placed for their next match, away to Moy on Sunday at noon.

Kildysart: Aidan O’Laughlin, Brendan Frawley, Paul O’Brien, Cormac Ginnane, Diarmuid Ginnane, David Cusack, Ryan Casey (0-2), Conor Cusack, Niall Ginnane (0-1), Damien Hill (0-1), Damien Murtagh (0-3, 1f), Nigel Boyhan (0-1), Dermot O’Sullivan, Terry Murphy (0-2), Ger Kelly (0-5, 1f). Brian O’Sullivan (0-1) for N. Ginnane 34 min, Noel Murphy for D. O’Sullivan 57 min.