Meelick-Eyrecourt 1-28

Kinvara 2-08

Gerard Mulreaney in New Inn

WITH a haul of 14 points, James Downey was the star of the show as Meelick-Eyrecourt comprehensively defeated Kinvara to storm into the semi-finals of the Intermediate hurling championships in New Inn on Saturday.

It could have been so much worse had Kinvara not scored a couple of late goals – through Aodhan O’Hanrahan and Lorcan Heavey – to put some respectability on the final scoreboard.

Despite a lot of rain during the week, along with a heavy shower prior to the game, the pitch in New Inn was in top class condition. In a game that they dominated from start to finish, Meelick-Eyrecourt had cruised to a seven-point lead inside the opening 13 minutes, with points from Downey, Jarlath McEvoy, and Lee McDermott.

Kinvara, who played with the aid of a stiff breeze in the first half, found it hard to get anything going in an attacking sense and struck five wides before Galway star Conor Whelan opened their account with a free in the 14th minute.

Further scores from Downey, John Fleming, Kevin Moran, Tiernan Gohery and James Lyons had Meelick-Eyrecourt in total control – leading 0-15 to 0-3 – as Kinvara only had two more first half points to show for their efforts from Michael Curtin and Aidan Moylan.

A Kevin Larkin goal and points from Downey and McDermott straight after the break put the result beyond doubt. Meelick-Eyrecourt were in full control, winning nearly all the breaking ball, while the fielding of James Lyons in the midfield was a sight to behold.

However, a raft of substitutions midway through the second half helped Kinvara score two late consolation goals. Lorcan Heavey was very influential in both of those. First, he played a long ball played forward into the corner to Whelan who bundled his way to the end line before pulling it back for Aodhan O’Hanrahan to score. Then Lorcan pounced on a loose ball outside the square and blasted it past goalkeeper Enda Lawless.

Pictured: Kinvara’s Joshua O’Connor is chased by Kevin Moran and Tiernan Gohery of Meelick-Eyrecourt during Saturday’s Intermediate hurling quarter-final in New Inn. Photo: David Cunniffe.