Late Mitchell goal secures third successive title for Kilcormac-Killoughey

Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-24

Shinrone 2-14

Kilcormac-Killoughey claimed their third consecutive Offaly senior hurling championship with a merited seven point win over Shinrone in Glenisk O'Connor Park Tullamore on Sunday afternoon.

Holding a ten point interval lead at half-time courtesy of their dominant second quarter display, it appeared that the reigning champions would efficiently add to their roll of honour.

However, Shinrone responded to the second half challenge and on two occasions retrieved the deficit to the minimum before a strong finish from Kilcormac-Killoughey saw the champions retain their title.

An end to end opening quarter of the contest saw the teams trade points with Shinrone, courtesy of points from Adam Landy and Killian Sampson, enjoying a 0-5 to 0-4 lead.

Kilcormac-Killoughey soon found their flow and when Daniel Hand slotted over a brace of points it appeared to be the catalyst for his team to take charge of the contest.

Points from Colin Spain and corner back Tom Spain saw the Kilcormac-Killoughey supporters in the 4,000 strong crowd rise to their feet in appreciation of their team, the scoreboard now very much in their favour at the interval whistle.

What seemed like an inevitable victory for Kilcormac-Killoughey did not materialise as Shinrone rallied, an Eoin Bailey O'Brien goal the boost his team needed early in the second half.

The introduction of Ciarán Cleary proved pivotal to the Shinrone surge, the substitute contributing a point before assisting his team's second goal from Seán Cleary.

That second Shinrone green flag gave cause for concern amongst the Kilcormac-Killoughey faithful, but as true champions usually do, Kilcormac-Killoughey responded in style, Adam Screeney popping over a brace of points from play before the game's standout player Charlie Mitchell ensured victory with a crisply taken injury time goal.

The 2024 Leinster finalists advance to the Leinster senior hurling club quarter-final where they will be play the Kilkenny champions, Ballyhale Shamrocks or O'Loughlin Gaels, in Nowlan Park on Sunday, November 9.

Scorers for Kilcormac-Killoughey: Charlie Mitchell 1-5, Adam Screeney 0-4 (2fs), Damien Kilmartin 0-3, Conor Slevin 0-3f, Daniel Hand 0-2, Colin Spain 0-2, Cillian Kiely 0-1, Enda Grogan 0-1, Conor Mahon 0-1, Tom Spain 0-1, Alex Kavanagh 0-1.

Scorers for Shinrone: Donal Morkan 0-6 (6fs), Adam Landy 0-3, Killian Sampson 0-3, Eoin Bailey O’Brien 1-0, Seán Cleary 1-0, Eamon Cleary 0-1f, Ciarán Cleary 0-1.

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Conor Slevin; James Mahon, Jordan Quinn, Tom Spain; Cillian Kiely, Brecon Kavanagh, Enda Grogan; Colin Spain, Damien Kilmartin; Jack Screeney, Conor Mahon, Daniel Hand; Charlie Mitchell, James Gorman, Adam Screeney.

Subs: Alex Kavanagh for Gorman (39), Leigh Kavanagh for Hand (47), Ter Guinan for Grogan (52), Peter Geraghty for Mahon (59), Mark Mulrooney for J Screeney (60+3).

Shinrone: Eamonn Cleary; Darren Crean, Michael Cleary, Darragh Landy; Dan Doughan, Killian Sampson, Dara Maher; Adrian Cleary, Luke Watkins; Donal Morkan, Adam Landy, DJ McLoughlin; Paul Cleary, Jason Sampson, Eoin Bailey O’Brien.

Subs: Peter Cleary for Crean (HT), Ciarán Cleary for Bailey O’Brien (37), Seán Cleary for Paul Cleary (37), Declan Cleary for A Cleary (52), Gearóid Maher for McLoughlin (59).

Referee: Adam Kinahan (Clodiagh Gaels).