IFC quarter-final: Kilkerley too strong for Plunketts
August 24, 2015
Sean Hand Kilkerley Emmets
KILKERLEY EMMETS 0-13
OLIVER PLUNKETTS 0-8
Kilkerley Emmets set up a meeting with St Josephs in the semi-final of the Intermediate Championship when they held off the challenge of Oliver Plunketts at Dowdallshill on Saturday evening.
The Plunketts went into the game with ambitions of adding the Intermediate crown to the Junior title they claimed last year. However, it wasn't to be as after making a slow start they were unable to bridge the gap for the remainder of the game.
Kilkerley's greater experience proved with crucial in keeping their opponents at arm's length, while Shane Lennon's accuracy in front of the posts was another important factor.
The North Louth side had the benefit of the slight wind in the opening half and they made it count in the early stages as they had four points on the board inside six minutes.
The Plunkett hit back with two unanswered points but Kilkerley continued to have the better of things and but for a number of wasted chances they would been well in control.
Although they did lead by 0-6 to 0-3 at the break, it was far from a comfortable position.
A good start to the second half saw Kilkerley stretch the gap to 0-9 to 0-4, but the Plunketts kept in touch by adding the next two scores. However, they too were guilty of missed opportunities as they failed to close the gap further.
Sub Daniel McKeown was unlucky not to find the net with either of two late chances but at that stage his side had done enough to hold out for the win.
KILKERLEY EMMETS: Ryan Hand; Niall Mulholland, Cillian Mulligan, Alan McGeough; Cormac Bellew 0-1, Cathal Bellew, Ciaran Clarke; Andrew McGuill, Ciaran Bellew; Conal McEneaney 0-2, Shaun McElroy, James Shields; Tadgh McEneaney 0-1, Shane Lennon 0-6, Sean Hand 0-2. Subs: Daniel McKeown for Cormac Bellew, James Fegan for C McEneaney, Ciaran Quigley for A McGuill, Donal McElroy for Ciaran Bellew.
OLIVER PLUNKETTS: Luke Haggins; Cillian Matthews, Sean Brassil, Gary Keogh 0-1; James Guinn 0-1, Frank Daly, Sean Campbell; Robbie Brodigan, Emmet Kelleher; CIan Matthews 0-2, Dean Carolan, Stephen Keeley 0-1; Frank Taaffe 0-1, Trevor Walsh 0-2, Conor Early. Subs: N Murtagh for S Campbell, M McDonald for D Carolan.
