Champs Kiladangan dumped out by last gasp Moycarkey goal

Kiladangan were dumped out of the County Senior Hurling Championship in the most dramatic of circumstances on Saturday when a last gasp Max Hackett goal for Moycarkey/Borris resulted in the most unlikely of victories for some time in this competition.

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Moycarkey/Borris 2-21

Kiladangan 3-16

Report: Noel Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Joe Maher (Moycarkey/Borris)

SCORERS – Moycarkey/Borris: Kieran Cummins, Joe Maher 0-5 each; Stephen Walsh 0-3, Kieran Morris (frees) 0-3 each; Max Hackett, Tom Ryan 1-0 each; David Costigan, Kyle Shelly (frees) 0-2 each, Rhys Shelly 0-1 free.

Kiladangan: Billy Seymour 1-4 (0-1 free); Brian McLoughney, Conor Byrne 1-2 each; Paul Flynn 0-2, Joe Gallagher, Tadgh Gallagher, Declan McGrath, Andy Loughnane, Sean Hayes, Shane Gleeson 0-1 each.

Just how this game got beyond Kiladangan is a real mystery and they will feel very sore this week as they lick their wounds and continue to ponder how it all went wrong.

Well in control on a number of occasions, eight points up with ten minutes to go, there could surely be no other outcome other than a procession to the next stage for the holders. But incredibly, they lost the game, surrendered their title and Moycarkey/Borris’ never-say-die attitude saw them win in the most dramatic of circumstances.

Despite playing into the breeze in the first half, Kiladangan had little problem in asserting their authority and they were to go in at the break with an eight-point advantage. The bulk of this came courtesy of a two-goal blast in three minutes at the beginning of the second quarter when Conor Byrne and Billy Seymour netted to take control of the game.

Up to that stage, Moycarkey/Borris had been giving as good as they got – they were level at the seven-minute mark with Kieran Morris (2) and Joe Maher trading points with Tadhg Gallagher, Andy Loughnane and Billy Seymour.

The county champions opened a lead through Joe Gallagher, Conor Byrne, and Declan McGrath points, only to see Moycarkey/Borris respond through Kieran Morris, Stephen Walsh and a long-range Rhys Shelly pointed free.

The double goal blast changed the tempo of the game though as Kiladangan put the foot to the floor and began to run at their opponents. The result was that they bagged 2-3 in five minutes and the nine-point gap between them was telling – Kieran Cummins getting a solitary Moycarkey/Borris point in this period, whereas Seymour, Paul Flynn and Conor Byrne were all on target for Kiladangan.

By the interval there was little doubt as to who would win the game if the form continued, but Moycarkey/Borris were determined not to go down without a fight. They showed great battling qualities and picked off Stephen Walsh, Kieran Cummins, and Joe Maher (2) points before the interval to more than match Seymour, Paul Flynn, and Brian McLoughney scores for Kiladangan.

Those battling qualities for Moycarkey Borris continued in the second half and they had 1-3 on the board before Kiladangan knew the half had recommenced. Points from Kieran Cummins (2), Joe Maher and a goal from corner back Tom Ryan shot the Moycarkey/Borris men right back into the game after 40 minutes. It was game on, and the champs knew they were in a game.

However, Kiladangan responded with Bryan McLoughney and Billy Seymour points and two fine saves from Moycarkey Borris’ Rhys Shelly kept the net at bay. McLoughney finally beat him for a fine goal in the 49th minute and it looked as though the game was beyond the Moycarkey/Borris men – sub Sean Hayes adding another point for Kiladangan.

But incredibly, that would be their last score of the game and slowly but surely Moycarkey/Borris got the bit between their teeth and they and they drove forward. It didn't help the Kiladangan cause that attacker Paul Flynn received his marching orders on 56 minutes having picked up a second yellow card and would be numerically disadvantaged for the remainder of the tie - the phase when the game was won and lost.

Moycarkey/Borris sub David Costigan hit two points, Kyle Shelly added two more from frees, as did Stephen Walsh and Kieran Cummins – amazingly there was only one in it now as Kiladangan were visibly shattered and the Mid men came in search of an equaliser – how the North champions now rued those gilt-edge chances they missed, including three from placed balls.

Moycarkey/Borris were deep into injury time, but their game was not yet run and a long ball into Max Hackett resulted in him catching brilliantly, shaking off his marker and firing to the net to dethrone the champions and send Moycarkey/Borris into the semi-final – a sensational result which has rocked the championship.

Hackett could have taken the point and forced extra time, but he went for broke, and he achieved it, breaking the hearts of a crestfallen Kiladangan in the process. The last gasp rocket has blown the championship wide open and with the favourites toppled by the rank outsiders, the semi-finals will be highly anticipated.

TEAMS – Moycarkey/Borris: Rhys Shelly (6); Steven Walsh (8), Peter Melbourne (7), Tom Ryan (6); Tom Hayes (7), Eoghan Hayes (8), Kevin Hayes (7); Kieran Cummins (9), Jack Fallon (6); Kieran Morris (5), Max Hackett (6), Joe Maher (9); Jack Hayes (7), Niall Heffernan (5), Bill Flanagan (6).

Subs: Kyle Shelly (6) for Morris (HT); Joe Egan (6) for Heffernan (HT); David Costigan (7) for Flanagan (41 mins); James Doran (NR) for J Hayes (56).

Kiladangan: Barry Hogan (6); Fergal Hayes (6), James Quigley (6), David Sweeney (6); Willie Connors (6), Alan Flynn (6), Joe Gallagher (7); Declan McGrath (6), Tadgh Gallagher (8); Shane Gleeson (7), Billy Seymour (6), Paul Flynn (6); Brian McLoughney (6), Andy Loughnane (6), Conor Byrne (6).

Subs: Sean Hayes (6) for Loughnane (38); Darragh Ryan (NR) for Gleeson (56).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers).