Mágh Cuilinn exit 2014 U21 Championship
Post date: Apr 16, 2014 4:55:24 PM
Magh Cuilinn 1-10 Sarsfields 0-19
Following a pretty dismal filleting by Killimor the previous week, Mágh Cuilinn were back in Craughwell in the last chance saloon against Sarsfields. With Conor Noone still on the long term injury list, the team had been further depleted by the loss of Anrai Whyte and Caleb McGuinness. The team set itself more defensively with Ronan Higgins moving to full back and Eanna Malone to centre back. The middle eight were under strict instructions not to abandon the full back line to the acres of space that proved disasterous the previous week. The restructure avoided any early goal blitz but our forwards took some time to settle as Sarsfields gradually scored four points without reply. Mágh Cuilinn gradually adjusted worked some fine points to be well in touch at halftime trailing 0-05 to 0-08 with points from play by Ryan Fox, Eanna Kelleghan and Lairgnean McDermott added to placed balls scored by Jack Kelly. There had even been a few goal opportunities and the three point margin was achieved against a stiff breeze. A major blow at halftime though was the withdrawal of Kevin O'Donovan through injury with Carl McDonagh coming on in the forwards and several re-adjustments to compensate. Initially, Sarsfields extended their halftime lead by three points but Mágh Cuilinn fought back with points from Andrew Hurney and two Jack Kelly frees. Mágh Cuilinn were exerting most of the pressure and were rewarded with a well worked goal finished by Kurtis Kyne to level the score. Sarsfields responded with a point before Ryan Fox equalised again. Then Shane Richardson raiding forward from wing back scored a superb point from near the sideline to give Mágh Cuilinn the lead for the first time with 12 minutes left. Mágh Cuilinn squandered a number of chances to drive on and secure the game and it was Sarsfields who equalised and added two further points. Ryan Fox made a run on goal into the large square but although the stretch of his jersey could be seen from afar, no penalty resulted and a point at the other end added insult to injury. Alan Kelly's influence at midfield declined as he became more troubled by an ankle injury and when Jack Kelly's run and shot for the net flashed inches past the far post, hopes of a revival faded. As the game opened up Sarsfields were more clinical and extended the margin to flattering six points by the end. Some pride was restored especially as some observers suggested Sarsfields were a better balanced outfit than Killimor the previous week.
Mágh Cuilinn: Micheál Bohan, Shane Richardson, Ronan Higgins, James Donohue, John Lalor, Eanna Malone, Alan Jackson, Alan Kelly, Kevin O'Donovan, Lairgnean McDermott, Andrew Hurney, Jack Kelly, Ryan Fox, Kurtis Kyne, Eanna Kelleghan.
Subs: Paul Wynne for James Donohue; Carl McDonagh for Kevin O'Donovan, Fintan Kelly, Evan Hurney: