Champions tested by newcomers in Dunganny
It took 40 minutes for Keegan Cup Summerhill to really seize momentum in their SFC opener against last years IFC champions Kilbride.
Summerhill 1-2-10 (17)
Kilbride 1-1-6 (11)
Champions Summerhill overturned a five-point deficit at half-time and defeated newly promoted Kilbride in this SFC opener at Dunganny on Thursday evening.
Credit to Anthony Moyles' side they went toe-to-toe with the champions for the guts of 40 minutes. Kilbride were hungry in the first half and the intensity they brought to the clash forced Summerhill to make a lot of mistakes especially in shot selection and execution.
In the second-quarter Kilbride kept Summerhill scoreless from play. Josh Harford’s goal in the 23rd minute and David O’Leary’s well-struck two-pointer in the 26th earned the men in green and red stripes a considerable advantage at the interval.
It all began to unwind for Kilbride in the 42nd minute when Sean Muddiman slotted a two-point free. Summerhill kept their opponents scoreless in the second-half until deep into injury time when O’Leary slotted a consolation free. Meanwhile, the Keegan Cup holders rattled off 1-8 on the spin.
David Clare will be largely disappointed in Summerhill’s first-half performance but he can be content with the opening 10 minutes as his side somewhat seized momentum early on. Eoghan Frayne and Liam Shaw linked up well as Shaw slotted over for the first of his five points. A super ball from Barry Dardis set up Padraig Geraghty who put Summerhill ahead by two points at the end of the first-quarter.
Harford’s half goal chance was dealt with well by Muddiman but a ‘45’ was conceded and David O’Leary slotted it which brought Kilbride back to within one. Down the other end Kevin Lyons was denied a goal when Craig Manning pulled off a good save.
In the 22nd minute, Andrew McWeeney delivered a super ball into the danger zone and Harford did well to claim possession before he produced an excellent finish to the Summerhill net. Shaw’s two frees either side of Harford’s goal was all that the Keegan Cup holders could muster in the second-quarter.
After the aforementioned green flag, Kilbride completely seized control. Adam Malone gave them a one-point lead after 25 minutes before O’Leary kicked a super two-pointer and followed up quickly with a point to put Moyles’ side ahead by four. James Gavin fisted over a score in the 28th minutes and at the interval Kilbride led 1-7 to 0-5.
After the restart, Kilbride were starved of attacking opportunities as Summerhill showed the newcomers why the Keegan Cup currently resides in their clubhouse. David Larkin scored their first point from play in 27 minutes but the real turning point came in the 42nd minute when Muddiman slotted a two-pointer after Eoghan Frayne was awarded a somewhat fortunate free on the perimeter of the large arc.
A few minutes later, referee Andrew Smith signalled for a penalty when Ross Ryan was fouled close to the Kilbride goalposts but after consultation with the umpires, Smith instead awarded a short-range free. Shaw converted and followed up with a point from play before substitute Conor Frayne edged Summerhill ahead with 10 minutes left.
There was no consultation required in the 52nd minute when Dardis was fouled in the Kilbride large rectangle. Conor Frayne slotted the penalty before Dardis kicked a two-pointer which effectively put Kilbride’s hopes to bed. A David O’Leary free in the 63rd minute was all that Kilbride could muster in the second-half as the champions made a winning start in their bid to retain the Keegan Cup.
Summerhill: Seán Muddiman (0-2 two-point free); Ben Moran, Iarla Hughes, Jack Bannon; Padraig Geraghty (0-1), Kevin Lyons, Jamie O'Shea; Jack Regan, Diarmuid McCabe; David Larkin (0-1), Barry Dardis (0-3 one two-point), Ross Ryan; Liam Shaw (0-5 three frees), Eoghan Frayne (0-1), Kevin Ryan. Subs: Declan Byrne for McCabe 35m, Conor Frayne (1-1 one penalty) for Lyons 45m, Ben McQuaid for O’Shea 63m, Bobby O’Shea for Larkin 64m.
Kilbride: Craig Manning; Cian Harford, Ronan O'Leary, Luke Faherty; Finn White, Timmy Farrell, Andrew McWeeney; Caolan Howard, Cathal McKeon; Daniel Boyd, James Gavin (0-1), Adam Malone (0-1); Josh Harford (1-0), David O'Leary (0-6 two frees, one ‘45’, one two-point) Warren Rogers. Subs: Fiachra Coffey for McKeon 45m, Cathal McKeon for Josh Harford, Gareth Rooney for Adam Malone both 45m.
Referee: Andrew Smith (Dunshaughlin).