Munster club SHC: Kilmallock have that little bit extra

November 09, 2014

Sarsfields' Michael Cussen with Liam Hurley of Kilmallock during the Munster club SHC semi-final.
©INPHO/Cathal Noonan.

Kilmallock 3-22 (Limerick)

Sarsfields 3-20 (Cork)

(After extra-time)

Extra-time was needed to separate Kilmallock and Sarsfields in an epic Munster club SHC semi-final at Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock.

In a game that produced 48 scores, late points from Graeme Mulcahy and Paddy O'Loughlin finally broke the Cork champions' resistance and sealed Kilmallock's place in the provincial decider against Cratloe on November 23.

The home side drew first blood when Kieran Kennelly scrambled home an early goal, but Sarsfields replied with two goals of their own in the space of 40 seconds from Eoin Quigley and Michael Cussen to move in front. But points from Robbie Egan and Eoin Ryan meant that the visitors only held a one-point lead, 2-4 to 1-6, at the short whistle.

Ger 'Sparrow' O'Loughlin's charges resumed with goals from Kennelly and Paddy O'Loughlin, to lead by 3-14 to 2-11 with seven minutes remaining. However, a brilliant Kieran 'Fraggy' Murphy goal cut the gap to three before a late equalising free from Cian McCarthy sent the tie to extra-time.

The teams were level on 3-18 apiece at the end of the first period of extra-time and were still deadlocked on 3-20 each before captain Mulcahy and O'Loughlin secured a dramatic win for the Limerick kingpins.

Kilmallock - B Hennessy; L Hurley, M O'Loughlin, A Costello; P O'Brien (0-1), Philip O'Loughlin, K O'Donnell; J Mulcahy (0-1), B O'Sullivan (0-1); R Hanley, G O'Mahony (1-0), R Egan (0-3); G Mulcahy (0-4), K Kennelly (1-2), E Ryan (0-7, 5f, 1'65). Subs: Paddy O'Loughlin (1-1) for R Egan, C Barry (0-2) for K Kennelly.

Sarsfields - A Kennedy; C O'Sullivan, C Leahy, W Kearney; D Roche, R Ryan, E Martin; D Kearney (0-3), E Quigley (1-0); E O'Sullivan (0-2), R Murphy, C McCarthy (0-12, 9f, 1'65); M Cussen (1-2), K Murphy (1-0), T Og Murphy. Subs: G O'Loughlin for R Murphy, R O'Driscoll for E O'Sullivan, C Duggan (0-1) for T Og Murphy, R Duggan for E Quigley, E O'Sullivan for E Martin.

Referee - F Horgan.


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