Oranmore-Maree 2-11

Kilconieron 1-11

By Stephen Glennon in Killimor

A tally of 1-3 in the closing stages, including 1-1 from substitute Joey Cullinane, saw Oranmore-Maree overturn competition favourites Kilconieron in an enjoyable county minor ‘A’ hurling championship semi-final in Killimor on Sunday.

It was the impact from the winners’ subs bench that ultimately turned this fixture in their favour, with Cullinane impressing with a return of 1-2 in his 11 minutes plus on the field while another replacement, Darragh Mill, also chipped in with a point.

Cullinane’s 57th minute goal snatched the lead back from Kilconieron, who moments earlier had nudged ahead with a Eoghan Mulleady point – his third of the afternoon.

Although Kilconieron substitute Eanna Spellman pulled the deficit back to two points again with two minutes to play, Cullinane subsequently converted a free late on to restore Oranmore-Maree’s goal advantage – and the victory.

It was some effort from Oranmore-Maree, who only trailed by three points, 1-6 to 1-3, after playing into a gale-force wind in the opening period. However, they received the perfect tonic when Leahy set up Jonah O’Halloran for a goal on 18 minutes – at a time when they had chased a 1-3 to 0-1 deficit.

The goal imbued them with a new sense of purpose, midfielder Ryan Holland adding a point minutes later, before Leahy struck a monster effort just before half-time to keep them in the hunt.

For Kilconieron’s part, their woes were self-inflicted by their 10 first half wides. They had led 1-3 to 0-1 after just 12 minutes – Stephen Keane scoring the goal and Cian Connaughton, Ryan Tierney and Eamonn McGlynn tallying the points – and they looked like a team that would kick on.

However, despite Keane, McGlynn and Connaughton (free) posting scores in the second quarter, they simply spurned too many chances – a dozen between wides and other opportunities – and a three-point interval advantage was too modest given the elements.

Pictured: Matthew Furey of Oranmore-Maree has Kilconieron’s Eamonn McGlynn in hot pursuit during Sunday’s Minor A hurling semi-final in Killimor. Photos: David Cunniffe.