Moyne edge to Intermediate glory

GAA: FBD Insurance County Intermediate Hurling Championship Final

Moyne-Templetuohy 2-18

Kilsheelan-Kilcash 1-20

Report: Michael Dundon in Littleton

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy)

SCORERS – Moyne-Templetuohy: Gearoid O’Connor 1-12 (0-8 free); Tom Meade 0-4; Jason Bergin 1-1; Conor Bowe 0-1.

Kilsheelan-Kilcash: Martin Gibbs 0-9 (7 frees); Mark Kehoe 0-6; Barry Kehoe 0-3; Jamie Roche 1-0; Paul Maher, Mark Stokes 0-1 each.

After a seven year wait, and a few serious disappointments, Moyne-Templetuohy were crowned County Intermediate Hurling Champions on Saturday where they saw off a huge challenge from Kilsheelan-Kilcash in an epic encounter that had the large crowd in full voice right through.

This was a cracking contest brimming with full-blooded but always sporting exchanges, a marvellous advertisement for the game at this level, as the two sides gave it their all. As Moyne fans poured on to the field at the finish to acclaim their heroes, one had to feel sympathy for the Kilsheelan lads who had contributed so much only to come up marginally short, and who were left to regret some favourable point chances squandered that would have made all the difference.

Each side enjoyed their spells of supremacy as both hit the ground running and they maintained the intensity of their effort right to the nail-biting finish with Kilsheelan trying to reel in their rivals who looked safe with a five point lead and only four minutes remaining. It was a hectic nerve-tingling climax with Kilsheelan hitting four points in that late surge but the clock beat them and it is Moyne-Templetuohy who go forward to contest the O Riain Cup next year in the newly created Premier Intermediate grade.

Moyne deserved their win. They made the running most of the way, and like their opponents, passed up some scoring chances that, if taken, would have made life much easier for them at the finish. But in those hectic closing minutes they showed the spirit and resolve of champions as they absorbed the Kilsheelan rally to record a victory that will be long remembered in the parish.

With Gearoid O’Connor on top of his game, scoring three points, and with a fourth from the impressive Tom Meade, Moyne raced into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead after six minutes. Meade broke through for a goal but Tadhg Lonergan between the Kilsheelan posts denied him and in a swift counter-attack Jamie Roche netted for Kilsheelan off a Martin Gibbs delivery.

Moyne’s reply was swift and decisive as Jason Bergin, who had looked very dangerous, shook off his marker to score a goal, restoring their lead in the tenth minute. However, as the play ebbed and flowed, Kilsheelan were giving as good as they got and by the water-break the sides were level 1-6 each. Great stuff, and so it continued to half-time when they were locked together at 1-11 each, Kilsheelan hitting three late points to gain parity.

Moyne-Templetuohy struck a crucial blow within seconds of resuming as Conor Bowe’s run from midfield set up Gearoid O’Connor for their second goal, quickly followed by a Tom Meade point.

Kilsheelan didn’t waver and enjoyed generous possession subsequently, but their scoring rate did not reflect this, and at the second water break they were 1-14 to 2-15 behind, but still very much all to play for.

On resuming Kilsheelan were on the offensive, Mark Kehoe pointing and then having a goal-bound effort saved by Paul Maher, the Moyne goalie. A Martin Gibbs point left them only two behind with seven minutes to play. Now Moyne rallied – points from Meade, Bergin and O’Connor giving them breathing space with three minutes remaining.

Once more Kilsheelan rallied – Mark Kehoe and Gibbs had points to cut the lead to two points as the game moved into injury time. The crowd were on their edge of their seats, Moyne fans pleading for the final whistle and Kilsheelan’s urging their lads to yet one more effort. The South lads responded with a Barry Kehoe point in the 62nd minute but that’s as close as they got and there was jubilation in the Moyne camp as referee Phil Kelly blew for a conclusion seconds later.

This was a marvellous win for Moyne-Templetuohy which they hope will herald bigger days ahead as they seek to recapture former glory. They have a young side, spearheaded by players with inter-county experience like Gearoid O’Connor, Conor Bowe Ciaran Lloyd and Paul Maher, and the challenge now for them is to build on this success next year to earn their place in the O Riain championship. They surely have the potential to do so and having been pipped on a few occasions at this level in recent years and having jeopardised their senior football status to ensure they would be fully up for this game, they fully deserved their reward.

In Gearoid O’Connor they had the man of the match, his 1-12 a huge contribution to the win, but Tomas Hamill, Conor Bowe and Tom Meade were not far behind, with Ciaran Lloyd and Jason Bergin also having big games.

Gallant in defeat is little consolation for Kilsheelan-Kilcash for whom Paul Maher, Mark Stokes, Martin Gibbs, Barry Kehoe, and county man Mark Kehoe were the key players. This performance should give them encouragement for next year although some of their fans will feel they had their chance last Saturday.

TEAMS - Moyne-Templetuohy: Paul Maher (6); Eoin Gorman (6), Ciaran Lloyd (7), John Coghlan (6); Jack Taylor (6), Tomas Hamill (8), Tom Hassett (6); Pierce Meade (6), Conor Bowe (7); Tom Meade (7), Gearoid O’Connor (9), Sean Hayes (6); Diarmuid Fogarty (6), Liam Butler (6), Jason Bergin (7).

Subs: Martin Kelly (6) for Hayes (38); Shane Lowe (6) for Gorman (42); Damian Cantwell (6) for Butler (50); Diarmuid Leahy (NR) for Fogarty (58).

Kilsheelan-Kilcash: Tadhg Lonergan (6); Jason Madigan (6), Daire Brennan (6), Eoin Kehoe (7); Bill Maher (6), Paul Maher (7), Billy O’Connor (6); Mark Stokes (6), Cathal Kelly (6); Sean Martin (6), Martin Gibbs (7), Mark Kehoe (8); Emmet Butler (6), Jamie Roche (6), Barry Kehoe (7).

Subs: Conor Davin-Murphy (6) for Brennan (HT); Brendan Martin (6) for Martin (35); Conor Neville (6) for Butler (50).

Referee: Philip Kelly (Ballinahinch)