Kilmallock produce extra effort to book Munster final place

Kilmallock 3-22 Sarsfields (Cork) 3-20 (after extra time)

Wild scenes of jubilation greeted the dramatic and thrilling extra-time win by Kilmallock who bridged a 20-year gap by reaching the Munster club final after a pulsating win over Cork champions, Sarsfields, who have yet to reach a provincial final in this grade.

It was a game that could have gone either way as the Cork side led at the interval by 2-4 to 1-6 with their goals coming in a 90-second spell.

Kilmallock looked to have blown their chance when they missed two scoring opportunities inside the last two minutes of normal time and when Cian McCarthy put over the levelling point with the last puck of the game to force extra time the advantage looked to be with the Cork side. The Cork star scored 12 points, including nine frees and one ‘65’.

Scrambled goal

A scrambled goal, booted in by

Kieran Kennelly

, from a close in melee had Kilmallock in front and after 12 minutes the home side led 1-2 to 0-2.

Eoin Quigley kicked in the first Sarsfields goal after 13 minutes and seconds later a superb strike by Michael Cussen put Sarsfields into a 2-2 to 1-2 lead.

By halftime the Cork champions led 2-4 to 1-5 but Kilmallock had also enjoyed the advantage of the very strong wind.

But four minutes into the second half Kilmallock’s Eoin Ryan goaled and with 20 minutes remaining the sides were again tied at 2-9 each.

Kilmallock suffered a blow when Robbie Egan was injured after 49 minutes but his replacement Paddy O’Loughlin soon marked his arrival with a spectacular goal with his first touch.

A great catch by Cussen set up Kieran Murphy to hit a great goal for Sarsfields to leave two points between them with four minutes remaining.

Kilmallock spurned a couple of chances but two late Cian McCarthy pointed frees forced the game to extra time when the Limerick men finally prevailed.

KILMALLOCK: B Hennessy; L Hurley, M O'Loughlin, A Costelloe; P O'Brien (0-1), Philip O'Loughlin, K O'Donnell; J Mulcahy (0-1), B O'Sullivan (0-1); R Hanley, G O'Mahoney (0-1), R Egan (0-3); G Mulcahy 0-3), E Ryan 1-7 (0-5 frees, one 65'), K Kennelly (1-1). Subs: Paddy O'Loughlin (1-2) for Egan (49 mins), C Barry 0-2 (for Kennelly 69 mins).

SARSFIELDS: A Kennedy; W Kearney, C Leahy, C O'Sullivan; D Roche, R Ryan, E Martin; D Kearney (0-3), E Quigley (1-0); E O'Sullivan (0-2), G O'Loughlin, C McCarthy 0-12 (nine frees, one 65); R Murphy, M Cussen (1-2), T Og Murphy. Subs: G O'Loughlin for R Murphy (37), P O'Driscoll for O'Sullivan (50), C Duggan (0-1) for T Murphy (53), R Duggan for E O'Sullivan (67), E O'Sullivan for Martin (75).

Referee: F Horgan, Tipperary.