Munster Final awaits as Kilrossanty kill off Cahir
Kilrossanty's Pa Cunningham gets his shot away before Cahir's Patrick Meehan can close him down.
Kilrossanty are potentially 60 minutes away from winning a first Munster Junior Club Hurling Final, after they ran out 15-point winners over Cahir at Lemybrien in the semi-final, and in doing so set up a final against Cork Champions Kilbrittan.
The visitors qualified for this game having beaten Rockwell Rovers in a play-off the previous Sunday at Fethard to see who would represent the Premier County in this year’s championship.
Six of the eight sides that contested the quarter finals in the Premier County’s JHC were second-string teams, meaning they could not play in the provincial championship and as Cahir and Rockwell Rovers both bowed out at the quarter final stages, it was decided to have a play off to see who would represent the county.
Gotham City has Batman and Robin, Peckham had Del Boy and Rodney, and Kilrossanty has Padraig and Alan. Padraig Fitzgerald and Alan Dunwoody were once more very much to the fore in this game accounting for 4-10 of their side’s tallies on the day, both scoring a brace of goals each while both set up goals for the other as well.
The pair have been outstanding in Kilrossanty colours this year and a repeat showing from both in the provincial decider on November 29 could see them go a long way towards achieving a first Provincial title for the club, making up for the loss to Russel Rovers last year when they lost out 3-12 to 1-7 at Pairc Ui Rinn, which could suggest that with the same two counties involved in this years decider it could well take place at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field.
Watched on by their famous sponsors, “The Two Johnnies” the visitors went to the dressing rooms at the break with a 0-8 to 0-7 advantage showing on the scoreboard.
But the home side should have been well in front at this stage as they missed a number of chances that they would have taken all year, including goal chances for Padraig Fitzgerald, who shot wide when chased down by two defenders on 11 minutes, and five minutes later when the ball was played to Alan Dunwoody; he was unable to pick when put under pressure, but the ball did fall kindly for Pa Cunningham who saw his effort go to the left of the post when it looked a goal was on.
Played on a heavy pitch following torrential rain in the days prior, it was the home side that were first on the scoreboard with a Padraig Fitzgerald point from play after 22 seconds.
The visitors hit back with a Jessie Kiely score on three minutes. Padraig Fitzgerard and Stephen Grogan swapped scores before quickfire points from Padraig Fitzgerald and Jack Power edged the home side two in front after 10 minutes.
Craig Guiry who in the past have lined out in the colours of Fourmilewater and The Nire pulled a point back for the visitors and Dylan Butler levelled matters before the end of the open quarter.
Padraig Fitzgerald and Craig Guiry swapped scores from frees before Alan Dunwoody and Padraig Fitzgerald edged the home side two in front after 24 minutes.
The South Tipperary outfit hit back with scores from Colin McEniry and Craig Guiry to draw level with two minutes of the first half remaining. They would head to the dressing rooms at the break with a slender lead when Craig Guiry put over a point on the half hour mark.
Padraig Fitzgerald levelled matters seconds after the restart when he put over a free, and his side would not have to wait long for the games first goal.
A long ball from Seamus Fitzerald from the middle of the field was sent into the right corner of the field as Kilrossanty attacked the Village end of the ground. Alan Dunwoody collected but lost his footing as he headed for goal, but was able to pick out Padraig Fitzgerald with a handpass and he fired to the net to give his side a 1-8 to 0-8 lead.
Kilrossanty’s second goal came on 37 minutes. A Seamus Fitzgerald free was played into the right corner forward position again which was again won by Alan Dunwoody who broke free of his marker and shot to the net from a tight angle.
Points from Darragh Walsh, Padraig Fitzgerald and Alan Dunwoody gave Kilrossanty a 2-11 to 0-8 lead midway through the second half.
Jessie Kiely pulled a point back for the visitors, but Kilrossanty responded with a third goal when a long ball was again played out of defence, this time down the middle which was won by Padraig Fitzgerald who laid the ball off to Alan Dunwoody who rounded the keeper and finished to the net for his second major score.
Eoin Power pointed before Kilrossanty struck for their fourth goal on 53 minutes. Martin Dunne played a clever ball to Seamus Fitzgerald who again went long to Alan Dunwoody who laid the ball off to Padraig Fitzgerald who finished to the net to give his side a 4-12 to 0-10 advantage.
Padraig Fitgerald and Jack Whyte hit late scores for the hosts with substitute Ciaran Condon hitting a consolation score for the visitors late in stoppage time.
Padraig Fitzgerald 2-8 (0-4f), Alan Dunwoody 2-2, Jack Power, Darragh Walsh, Eoin Power, Jack Whyte 0-1 each.
Craig Guiry 0-5 (3F), Jessie Kiely 0-2, Stephen Crogan, Dylan Butler, Colin McEniry, Ciaran Condon 0-1 each.
Rian Hogan; Paul Keating, Caoimhin Walsh, Donie Fitzgerald; Frankie de Paor, Martin Dunne, Josh Kay; Seamus Fitzgerald, Darragh Walsh; Padraig Fitzgerald, Sean Veale, Pa Cunningham; Eoin Power, Jack Power, Alan Dunwoody.
Tommy Prendergast for E Power (52), Jack Whyte for P Cunningham (55), Shane Power for M Dunne (57), Dan Behan for D Walsh (59), Paul Whyte for P Fitzgerald (61).
Brian Sweeney; James Walsh, Eoghan Kelly, Eanna Heffernan; Patrick Meehan, Eoin Wyse, James O’Brien; Stephen Grogan, Jessie Kiely; Craig Guiry, Colin McEniry, Dylan Butler; Kevin Grogan, TJ Molan, Ian Flannery.
Oisin Maher for K Grogan (37), Dara Heffernan for J Walsh (46), Eoin Donaghy for E Kelly (46), Conor O’Brien for TJ Molan (47), Ciaran Condon for E Heffernan (55).
Eamon Stapleton (Limerick).
