Shamrocks 3-15, Kilbrittain 3-8
A powerful second half from Shamrocks propelled them into the Final of the Rebel Óg C hurling Championship after this win over Kilbrittain on Saturday in Ballygarvan. Shamrocks were facing a 2 point HT deficit and were lucky to be only that much behind as they failed to really spark in the game up to that point. However, a 15 minute spell after HT that yielded a superb 3-7 including a hatrick of goals from David Andrews pushed Shamrocks onto the comfort zone and although Kilbrittain battled on to the end, the lads new from a fair bit they were back in another County Final.
Kilbrittain looked dangerous in the first half and after Aonghus Boland had opened Shamrocks account with a point, Kilbrittain punished some sloppy Shamrocks wides and went 1-4 to 0-1 ahead after 15 minutes and they looked the hungrier team. Shamrocks made a vital positional switch at this point and it seemed to work as they slowly grew into the game coming up to HT, scoring some nice points from Boland again, Darragh Scriven and Andrew O’Grady and David Andrews from frees. Shamrocks were back in the game at 1-5 to 0-6 behind a HT.
The right things were said in the Shamrocks dugout because Shamrocks blitzed Kilbrittain after HT, scoring a magical 3-7, which featured that hatrick from Andrews, a couple of frees from the same player and also Andrew O’Grady from out the wing, a great point after a strong run from Coby O’Grady, a monster score from Scriven at midfield and some beautifully struck points from the wing from Aonghus Boland who was very much to the fore in the second half.
Shamrocks were in total control now with 15 minutes to go, they were leading by 3-12 to 1-6. Kilbrittain never gave up and gave Shamrocks plenty of problems towards the end of the game, especially in the last 6 or 7 minutes when they got through for 2 goals which the lads will not be happy about. But overall, all players made valuable contributions and at this stage of the year, its about getting results. Lisgoold, who Shamrocks beat in the East final, beat the West champions St James in the other semi final straight after so Shamrocks will play Lisgoold next Sunday in the County Final, in Ballincollig with a 2.30pm throw in. Training will continue midweek.
Panel: C. Scriven, S. Kelleher, C. Hayes, S. Kidney, A. O’Grady, T. Murphy, D. Scriven, C. O’Grady, M. Hitchmough, A. Boland, B. Crowley, D. Andrews, R. Meighan, J. Lynam, E. Desmond, D. Barry, S. Flavin, K. Murphy, M. Field, A. O’Keeffe.
Goalmouth action
