St. Anne’s Community College Killaloe (3-14) v (0-19) Clonakilty Community College
Corn Risteard Ui Mhathuna Group E (19 C H) Round 3
Tournafulla 12:30 PM
On Wednesday, St. Anne’s Senior boys continued their campaign with another win in the group stage of the Munster Hurling Championship. They had a hard fought win against Clonakilty Community College with a score line of 3-14 to 0-19. St Anne’s took control early in the first half when a high ball was sent into the full forward, Dylan McMahon, and he scored a brilliant point over the heads of the full back line. This started St Anne’s purple patch early in the first half, with follow up points from Eoghan Power, Davy Boland and more from Dylan McMahon. Clonakilty only managed 4 points during the opening 10 minutes. 15 minutes into the first half, a dirty ball dropped in around the square, only to be won by Dylan McMahon, who fought well and had a superb finish into the bottom corner of the Clonakilty net. This brought the gap to 1-5 to 0-4. Clonakilty came back at us but brilliant defence was shown by Mike Gough and Tommy Walsh. Clonakilty only managed to score 2 points because of the wonderful defence. Shortly after, Kian Donnelly scored a wonderful point from the 45. Following this, Kian also scored a well worked goal when Darren Bowe and Eoghan Power showed great work rate to supply a ball into Kian that he then struck from the 21 yard line and it nestled into the top right corner of the net. This was followed by a dry a spell from St. Anne’s. Clonakilty took advantage of this, and managed 5 points on the bounce. The gap between the teams was narrowing with the score line of 2-7 to 0-11. 25 minutes into the first half, as it looked like Clonakilty had fought their way back into the game, a super goal came from Dylan McMahon shortly followed by another brilliant point from Kian Donnelly. This brought the half time score to 3-8 to 0-11.
St Anne’s made some changes at half time. Kian Donnelly was moved out from centre forward to full forward, and Dylan McMahon was brought out the field. Clonakilty came back in the second half and controlled play for the first 15 minutes. Although controlling play, they only managed 3 points during this time. St Anne’s made some more changes with Dara King coming on for Robbie Breen. Dara was moved out to midfield and Matthew Power was moved into corner forward. St Anne’s finally responded with a point from Davy Boland. The score line was now 3-9 to 0-14. St Anne’s fought hard in the back line and a brilliant save was made by James Power 20 minutes into the second half, denying Clonakilty their first goal chance. Clonakilty continued to put St Anne’s under pressure but they fought hard and always kept Clonakilty to within a 1 or 2 point gap, due to brilliant defending from the half back line of Sam Loughran, Evan Connolly and Mike Geogh. Clonakilty continued to progress but scores from Eoghan Power, Evan Connolly, Dylan McMahon and Matthew Power kept St Anne’s in the lead. With one minute remaining in the game, St Anne’s conceded a 21 yard. Due to backchat it was moved directly in front of the goal. Luckily, the Clonakilty full forward struck this chance wide to end the game 3-14 to 0-19.
This win means that we are now into the quarter final and this is in no small part to a great defensive performance, highlighted by stellar performances from Eanna McNamara, James Hanley and Mikey Gough. Our midfield pairing of Eoghan Power and Matthew Power got through some great work while Dylan McMahon, Davy Boland and Kian Donnelly showed some excellent skills throughout. It was a very workmanlike performance and we are looking forward to the next round.
Man of the Match: Dylan McMahon
Team: James Power, Eanna McNamara, James Hanley, Tommy Walsh, Mike Gough, Sam Loughran, Evan Connolly, Eoghan Power, Matthew Power, Davy Boland, Kian Donnelly, Darren Bowe, Robbie Breen, Dylan McMahon, Tony Seymour
Substitutions: Dara King for Robbie Breen, Dylan Nolan for Tony Seymour.
Scores: Dylan McMahon 2-5, Kian Donnelly 1-2, Eoghan Power 0-2, Davy Boland 0-2, Matthew Power 0-1, Evan Connolly 0-1