Pat Ryan reports on how Kilworth finally got the better of Kildorrery in the North Cork JAFC after Saturday’s thriller in Ballyhooly
KILWORTH 3-9
KILDORRERY 2-9
A GOAL in the second period of extra time, from Kilworth’s Thomas Twomey, was the crucial score that sent Kildorrery crashing out of this year’s North Cork JAFC after an exciting replay in Ballyhooly on Saturday.
Kilworth, aided by the strong breeze in the opening half, adopted a two-man full-forward line with Mark O’Connor - who was outstanding throughout - going back as an extra man in the half-back line. This move denied the Kildorrery forwards space when going forward.
Kildorrery though were first to open the scoring when Andrew O’Brien pointed a free in the 11th minute. Kilworth went ahead at the end of the first quarter when Elton Pierce goaled from the penalty spot, 1-0 to 0-1.
Kilworth’s Fergal Fitzgerald and Declan Tobin added points for them to go 1-2 to 0-1 ahead after 19 minutes.
The victors then came close to a goal in the 22nd minute only for the Kildorrery keeper Brendan Hannon making a great save from Elton Pierce at the expense of a ‘45’. From the resultant place ball Pierce set up Fergal Fitzgerald for a well taken point.
Kildorrery responded with a pointed free from Andrew O’Brien but it was Kilworth who were to increase their lead when Dion Cahill placed the outstanding Elton Pierce for a great goal, 2-3 to 0-2.
The ‘Hill’ had a late point from Seán Curtin to leave his side six points adrift at the interval, 2-3 to 0-3.
In the second half the winners went seven clear when Fergal Fitzgerald set up Pierce for a great point.
Slowly Kildorrery, now aided by the strong breeze, began to make an impact and had two quick pointed frees from Andrew O’Brien. In the 38th minute a long ball in from Eamonn O’Connor found Tom Monaghan who set up Andrew O’Brien for another point, 2-4 to 0-6.
Kilworth replied with a point from Seán Carey but as the game progressed Kildorrery began to get on top with Eamonn O’Connor and Mike Monaghan very impressive at midfield. Tom Whelan and Tom Monaghan also began to make an impression in attack.
Pádraig Hanley pointed for Kildorrery at the end of the third quarter to put just four between them, 2-5 to 0-7. It was all Kildorrery now and in the 48th minute Richard McEniry placed Tom Monaghan for a point.
Seconds after the resultant kick-out the sides were level when Eamonn O’Connor and Tom Whelan combined to set up Tom Monaghan for a goal, 2-5 to 1-8.
In an exciting finish Kildorrery had six wides in an eight-minute spell before they went ahead in the 58th minute when Andrew O’Brien pointed a free.
Kilworth, in one last attack, forced level at the end of normal time 1-9 to 2-6 when Elton Pierce pointed a close-in free and for the second time in a week the sides were level at full time.
In the first period of extra time Kildorrery got off to the best possible start when a massive free back in the half back by Eamonn O’Connor found Tom Monaghan who had his side’s second goal.
Kilworth had three wides to just one for Kildorrery before Justin Aherne placed Brian Carey for a point before half time in extra time to leave Kildorrery ahead, 2-9 to 2-7.
On the resumption Justin Aherne had an early point for Kilworth. The all important score came three minutes into this half when a great ball in by Elton Pierce was punched to the net by the impressive Thomas Twomey, 3-8 to 2-9.
Kildorrery pushed hard to force level from here to the final whistle but it was Kilworth who added a late point from Elton Pierce to hold out for a close three-point win.
Kilworth will now meet Glanworth in the quarter-final.
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