Fourteen man Newport come back to stay up

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Relegation Semi-Finals

Newport 0-23

Kiladangan 3-13

Report: Michael Brophy in Dolla

Newport struck the last five points to secure survival in the Premier Intermediate Hurling grade for 2023 on Saturday, and consign Kiladangan to a relegation decider.

Trailing by three points at the interval and having wing back Cian Flanagan sent off for a second yellow card in injury time at the end of that opening half, Newport produced a more accurate display in the second half to pip their North rivals in the closing minutes.

Kiladangan led for most of the match and will rue a series of wides in the last ten minutes that could have clinched a hotly contested clash. Trailing by a point in injury time, Kiladangan were clear through on goal but a misplaced handpass in the direction of Ruairi Gleeson was eventually cleared and Newport held on.

The Mulcair men had a more varied attacking threat, with ten different players getting on the scoresheet, compared to just three for Kiladangan. However, their shooting accuracy in the first half was in stark contrast to their opponents, with Newport leading the wide count 10-2 over the first thirty minutes.

Kiladangan’s opening goal in the seventh minute saw Shane Gleeson benefit from good work from Paddy Coen before sending the ball past the helpless Paul Hogan. By the thirteenth minute, Ciaran Kelly’s long-range effort sailed over from 100 metres to extend their early advantage to four points.

When Kelly hit two more quickfire points in the space of twenty seconds later in the half, Kiladangan’s lead extended to five. Newport seemed to have responded well by scoring the next three, before Kiladangan wiped out that good work with their second goal.

Darragh Egan’s long range free dropped dangerously on the Newport fourteen-metre line, and Kelly pulled low to the net from the breaking ball. Two Brendan Mullins frees before the break kept Newport within three, but they were dealt a blow in between with Cian Flanagan receiving his second yellow card after a scuffle.

Thomas Floyd entered the fray after a half-time reshuffle and produced an excellent second half display from wing back. Newport’s shooting accuracy improved after the break, hitting three of the first four points to cut the gap to one. Conor O’Mahony became a greater menace to the Kiladangan backs in the second half, winning primary possession and hitting five points, including four clutch frees.

By the middle of the second half, Daniel Carew’s point had levelled the game. But Kiladangan enjoyed a brief resurgence that threatened to clinch the game. Ruairi Gleeson put them back in front, before Ciaran Kelly blocked down Paul Hogan’s clearance on the 21-metre line, before controlling and rolling the ball into the empty net.

Shane Gleeson’s 100-metre score in the 51st minute would be Kiladangan’s last. Four points, including one from the impressive Odhran Floyd, brought Newport level heading into injury time. Jordan Young won the ball along the right-hand side-line before feeding Aidan Moloney, who saw the winning point sail between the posts.

Kiladangan had opportunities to respond but couldn’t grasp them. They’ll have one more chance to save their Premier Intermediate status against Carrick Swan on October 8th.

Player of the Match: Conor O’Mahony (Newport)

Newport: Paul Hogan (6); Sean O’Brien (6), Robert Houlihan (6), Jordan Young (7); Cian Flanagan (6), Conor Floyd (0-1, 7), Odhran Floyd (0-1, 8); Peter O’Sullivan (0-2, 7), Kealan Floyd (0-1, 8); Colin Floyd (0-2, 7), Pa Ryan (0-3, 8), Oran Connors (6); Brendan Mullins (0-5, 4f) 7), Conor O’Mahony (0-5, 4f) 8), Daniel Carew (0-2, 7).

Subs: Thomas Floyd (8) for Connors (HT); Aidan Moloney (0-1, 6) for K Floyd (47); Andrew Hickey (NR) for Mullins (56).

Kiladangan: Darragh Egan (7); Jack McGrath (7), Shane Seymour (6), Paddy Gallagher (6); Conor Culhane (6), DJ McGrath (7), Darragh Flannery (7); Ronan Ducie (6), Jim Minehan (7); Aidan Ryan (6), Ruairi Gleeson (0-2, 7), Martin Minehan (6), Shane Gleeson (1-8, 0-5f) 8), Paddy Coen (6), Ciaran Kelly (2-3, 8).

Subs: Neil Cahalan (6) for Ryan (38); Darragh Ryan (6) for Gallagher (46); Eoin Meagher (6) for Flannery (47).

Referee: Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens)