PIHC QF – Kilworth 1-18 Bandon 2-17

Saturday night saw our intermediate hurlers take to the pitch in Pairc Uí Rinn for the second time in two weeks to take on Bandon in the quarter final of this year’s Cork County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship. These two sides met in round three of this competition last year where Bandon came out on top and Kilworth were looking to turn that around last Saturday. However they say goals win matches and the two that Bandon scored in the opening half of this game proved to be crucial doing the necessary damage in what was a thrilling encounter over all. Their first came in the 10^th minute and their second in the 28^th minute, just as Kilworth were beginning to get a foothold in the game. This resulted in us going in five points down at half-time, which in truth wasn’t a fair reflection of the work rate of our lads in the opening half.

Kilworth started the second half with the winds at our backs and also with 15 players after Bandon forward Adam Murphy was sent off just before the break. However, our numerical advantage didn’t last too long as Brian Sheehan saw the line in the 35^th minute after he too received a straight red and the teams were balanced again with 14 versus 14. This didn’t stop Kilworth and they all fought extremely hard to level the game heading into the final 10 minutes with the score line reading 2-13 to 1-16. The game could have easily gone either way in the dying minutes and the result was in doubt right up until the final seconds in a game that saw fantastic hooking, blocking and scoring from both sides along with its fair share of drama. Kilworth had three chances to go ahead after the levelled the tie but it was Bandon who raised a white flag first and before long they increased their lead to three with three consecutive points, two from frees and one from play. Kilworth had a late chance but we needed a goal and unfortunately it didn’t unfold and at the final whistle it was Bandon who celebrated after they successfully booked their place in the semi-finals.

Bandon were first on the scoreboard before Kilworth made their presence felt with a fine point from midfielder Jeremy Saich following a well-timed pass from corner forward Dave Twomey. Noel McNamara added three points, two from placed balls and one from play to put Kilworth ahead 0-4 to 0-2 in the 8^th minute. Kilworth were unlucky not to raise the first green flag of the game when James McCarthy was superbly denied by the Bandon number one. Although Bandon’s opening goal put a stop to our momentum, Eoin McGrath and Will Condon responded to the goal with two great points to leave the sides level after the opening quarter of play. Jeremy Saich put us ahead with his second point of the game before Bandon pointed a free to level the tie again in the 18^th minute and this give them the edge heading into the second quarter. However they couldn’t pull quite away from our determined bunch of players with Noel McNamara keeping us in toe. That was until they registered their second goal in the 28^th minute and this put Bandon ahead 2-7 to 0-8. Jermey responded to the goal with another point from play before the opposition added another two points to give them a six point lead heading into first half injury time shortly after they were reduced to 14 men. Kilworth finished the scoring of the half with a fantastic point from Brian Sheehan out on the side line. Five separated the sides at half time with the score board reading 2-9 to 0-10.

Kilworth made the perfect start to the second half when Noel McNamara drilled over his fifth point the game after we were awarded a free in the opening minute. The dismissal of Brian Sheehan meant the game was in the balance once again and it was all to play for.  Another Noel McNamara free followed by a much needed goal from full-forward Ned O’Brien meant a single point separated the sides by the 40^th minute and the atmosphere and excitement was really building now. Bandon didn’t panic however and they right back at us with two points in quick succession to leave the score line reading 2-12 to 1-12 three minutes later. It was a cracking final quarter with points from Noel McNamara and substitute Cormac Donnellan drawing Kilworth level in the 52^nd minute. Kilworth had three chances to go ahead and the result could have been very different had a poor pass from Jeremy Saich found Noel McNamara late on but it was Bandon who took control as the concession of frees by Kilworth slowly killed any momentum we had built up. We had a late chance in injury time with two frees but brilliant Bandon defending denied us the chance of a replay or a win and it was they who progressed.

This was an agonising two point defeat, especially considering how close the final score line was in a thrilling game for the neutrals. However our lads gave it their all, they produced a great performance not only last Saturday night but throughout all of their championship games this year. Just think back to where we were this time last year. We were preparing for a relegation final which we later lost to Inniscarra and everyone was thinking we might be better off going down to Intermediate grade. But we got a second chance and in true Kilworth style we took it and we made it worthwhile. We secured our Premier status for the next two years which was the aim and we came very, very close to booking our place in the semis. The heart, determination and belief these lads have shown this year is a credit to every one of the players and to the management of Pat, Will, Dion, Alan and Darren. They have put the pride back in the Kilworth jersey. They have made us excited about the future again. They have given us great memories this year and we are immensely proud of each and every one of you. We weren’t quite good enough on Saturday night but we can only improve going forward. This is a young team with amazing talent and even more potential. Here’s hoping the lads will remain in charge of this team heading into next year’s championship and I, along with every other Kilworth supporter can’t wait to see where we can go in 2017. The future is bright! 

On behalf of the club we would like to sincerely thank Pat Greehy, Alan Kenny, Will Twomey, Dion Cahill and Darren Kenny for all of the time, effort and hard work they have put in with this team this year. It is unbelievable to think how far you have brought this team in a few months. We also wish you all the very best of luck for the remainder of the division one hurling league.