Fitzgerald twins lead the Kilrossanty fightback win over Gaultier
Kilrossanty's Seamus Fitzgerald blasts the ball past Gaultier goalkeeper David Daniels to score a brilliant second half goal during their JJ Kavanagh & Sons Co. Senior Football Championship clash played at Portlaw. Photo: Noel Browne
Kilrossanty turned a four-point halftime deficit into a four-point win against Gaultier in a cracking second-round clash on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Man of the Match Seamus Fitzgerald and super sub Paul Whyte saw the green and gold outscore their opponents 2-8 to 1-3 in a storming second period. Back-to-back victories guarantee them a quarter-final spot at the very least. They can upgrade that to a semi-final in a top-of-the-table clash with Rathgormack.
The energy and aggression from the Fitzgerald twins Padraig and Seamus turned this game on its head as Kilrossanty took over the middle third. Padraig got stuck into county hurling team-mate Mark Fitzgerald in a spicy tussle and won inspirational turnovers. Seamus shot 1-1 in the second half and never stopped running at the Gaultier defence.
Paul Whyte had a hand in 2-3 after his half-time introduction. He kicked 1-2 and created another 1-1 from full forward. Top scorer Alan Dunwoody delivered eight points, including three two-point frees. That's 20 points in two games for the Déise attacker.
Dessie Hutchinson and Sean White did damage up front for Gaultier but the supply was limited in the second half as they struggled off their own kickout. It’s now back to back defeats for the Eastern side.
Heavy showers on Friday saw this game moved from Kill to Portlaw. An opportunity for the club to show off its fabulous new facilities including a top class gym and clubhouse. Thankfully, the rain stayed away!
2-1 from Dessie Hutchinson helped Gaultier into a 2-4 to 0-6 half time lead. Dunwoody accounted for five of Kilrossanty's total including a pair of two pointers. There was no holding back as the challenges flew in from start to finish. Gaultier could have found the net inside 15 seconds but Sean White was unable to find the unmarked Patrick Fitzgerald. Dessie Hutchinson got the electronic scoreboard moving with a point in the second minute. David Power's side dominated those early stages but Fitzgerald and JJ Hutchinson missed chances to extend the lead.
A Kilrossanty free was brought forward 50 metres and Alan Dunwoody nailed a two pointer against the run of play. White and Fitzgerald put the Barony men ahead again before defender Gary Cullinane went off injured. Eoin Power levelled as the Gaultier wide tally increased to seven.
On 19 minutes, Tommy Martin withstood a high tackle from Corey Kennedy and offloaded to Niall McSweeney who slipped a pass inside to Dessie Hutchinson. The Gaultier captain rammed the ball to the far corner of the net. ‘GOAL!’ flashed up on the scoreboard!
Eight minutes later, Martin soloed goalwards again and Shane Power brought him down for a penalty. Hard to tell if the foul occurred inside or outside the large rectangle but referee Martin Curran seemed certain. Hutchinson struck the ball straight down the middle as Josh Kay dived to his right.
Three Dunwoody points from frees left Kilrossanty four down at the break. At the other end, JJ Hutchinson converted a 20 metre free after the green and gold got penalised for only having two men up.
Half time sub Paul Whyte made his presence felt immediately as he was fouled in front of goal and Dunwoody pointed the free. Whyte then swung one over off his right boot as Kilrossanty took charge at midfield. The Fitzgeralds, Corey Kennedy and Tommy Prendergast all got their hands on ball. A mighty turnover by Padraig Fitzgerald on his namesake Mark set up another point for Jack Whyte.
On 37 minutes, Kilrossanty disrupted the Gaultier kickout yet again and Whyte sent Seamus Fitzgerald through on goal. He slotted the ball past Gavin Buckley at the near post (1-9 to 2-4). Gaultier regained the lead two minutes later when Sean Cullinane's point attempt looped over Josh Kay and nestled in the back of the net. They couldn't capitalise on that stroke of good fortune.
A Seamus Fitzgerald curler edged Kilrossanty back in front before Gaultier defender Tommy Martin was shown a black card. With thirteen minutes left, Jack Whyte intercepted a short kickout from Buckley and Paul Whyte slammed the ball home (2-13 to 3-4).
Three Sean White points, including a two point free, got Gaultier back within a score. Kilrossanty also went down to fourteen when Stephen Prendergast received a black for a trip on Mark Fitzgerald. Two minutes from time, Seamus Fitzgerald found Paul Whyte and the former Waterford front man sealed victory.
Alan Dunwoody 0-8 (3 2pfs, 2fs), Paul Whyte 1-2, Seamus Fitzgerald 1-1, Eoin Power 0-2, Jack Whyte 0-1.
Dessie Hutchinson 2-1 (1-0 penalty), Sean White 0-4 (1 2pf, 1f), Sean Cullinane 1-0, JJ Hutchinson (f), Patrick Fitzgerald 0-1 each.
Josh Kay; Shane Power, Donie Fitzgerald, Stephen Prendergast; Darragh Walsh, Caoimhin Walsh, Martin Dunne; Tommy Prendergast, Padraig Fitzgerald; Seamus Fitzgerald, Eoin Power, Corey Kennedy; Jack Whyte, Jack Power, Alan Dunwoody.
Paul Whyte for Jack Power (HT), Conor Hayes for Kennedy (50), Corey Kennedy for Hayes (61).
Gavin Buckley; Fergal O'Brien, Tom Dalton, Sean Byrne; Tommy Martin, Gary Cullinane, Callum O'Neill; Mark Fitzgerald, Dale Cullinane; Sean White, Niall McSweeney, Sean Cullinane; JJ Hutchinson, Dessie Hutchinson, Patrick Fitzgerald.
Billy O'Keeffe for Gary Cullinane (10), David Jones for McSweeney (52), David Roche for JJ Hutchinson (56), Gus Flynn for Dalton (58).
Martin Curran
Seamus Fitzgerald scored 1-1 and showed oodles of energy throughout.
Paul Whyte's goal put Kilrossanty six points clear.
The three-up rule caused consternation on the sideline. Kilrossanty should have been penalised more than once for breaching it.
Kilrossanty can make the semi-finals with victory against Rathgormack. Gaultier and An Rinn will fight over third place.
