JAHC R1 – Kilworth 1-11 Doneraile 2-08

Despite a later than anticipated start, that didn’t stop the first round of the junior ‘A’ hurling championship going ahead on Saturday evening last in Glanworth when Kilworth and Doneraile faced off to book their place in the next round. 3 points is always a dangerous lead in any game and in the third minute of injury time as we lead 1-11 to 1-08, we paid for not clearing the ball from a 65” when Doneraile put the ball past Kilworth keeper Justin Aherne to send the game to a replay. The game ended all square, 1-11 to 2-08.

The sides were tit-for-tat for the opening 20 minutes of the game. Doneraile were applying a lot of pressure on the Kilworth defence but our lads stood firm and a number of great saves from Justin Aherne kept the opposition at bay. After 22 minutes of play, the teams were tied at 0-5 apiece. Three points from Aidan Condon in the closing five minutes of the first half saw us lead at the break on the score line of 0-8 to 0-5. Doneraile started the second half the strongest with a goal and a two points inside the first ten minutes to put two between the sides, 1-7 to 0-8. Kilworth didn’t drop their heads and they fought hard to level the game in the 51^st minute. Then came a Kilworth goal from Michael O’Callaghan to put us three ahead, 1-10 to 1-07. Paddy Moakley added a point to make it four before the opposition clawed one back. We headed into injury time, leading by three points, a one score game. Unfortunately for us Doneraile got a stroke of luck in added time to bury the ball to the back to the Kilworth net and that sent the game to a replay. Our lads played a great game throughout and they should be commended for their performance. It was disappointing not to come away with the win but there is no doubt we will relish the challenge of facing Doneraile again on Wednesday night. Let’s hope this time the result will go in our favour. Best of luck to all involved!

Team and Scorers: Justin Aherne, Brien Roche, Will Twomey, Henry Allen, Shane Keane, Dave Twomey (0-1), John Horgan, Seán Beecher (0-1), Michael O’Callaghan (1-0), Aidan Condon (0-7), Paddy Moakley (0-1), James Moakley, Jason Twomey, Ned O’Brien (0-1) and Ciarán Gowen. Subs Used: David Mannix and Shane Kenny.