Storming Kilbrin rally brushes off Banteer in  Duhallow JAHL semi final 

Kilbrin 2-16

Banteer 3-8 

KILBRIN overturned a seven-point deficit to record a comfortable victory over Banteer in the Twohig's Supervalu Duhallow JAHL semi final at a wind lashed and damp Dromtariffe.

Both teams battled through the tough conditions, Banteer favoured by the elements in the opening half gained a return, goals from the Philpott brothers, Luke and Brian helped secure an interval advantage.

However, defending holders Kilbrin resumed the second half on full throttle, taking just six minutes to erase the arrears. 

Key to Kilbrin’s takeover were a pair of goals netted by full forward Eoin Sheahan, that allowed Kilbrin drive home their superiority to advance to a meeting against Dromtariffe in a repeat of last season’s decider.

Operating against the strong breeze, Kilbrin enjoyed a decent start, Rory King and Finn O’Connor pointing. 

Banteer quickly found their rhythm, Alan Coughlan’s delivery found Luke Philpott to net.

That allowed Banteer take control, Donal Wilson, Richard O’Connor and Coughlan hurling with confidence.

Philpott was unerring from frees, Banteer thankful to ‘keeper Michael Twomey to produce a fine save from Sheahan. 

Matters got better for Banteer, O’Connor flighted in the sliotar for the younger Philpott, Brian to goal from close range.

Importantly for Kilbrin, they responded with points from Sheahan and Connor King to reduce the arrears 2-7 to 0-6 at the break. 

Given the conditions, the gap between the sides didn’t look insurmountable, so it proved, Finn O’Connor and Stephen O’Reilly combined for Sheahan to net quickly on the restart.

Follow up points from O’Connor and Shane Crowley squared up the game. Contributing generously to the Kilbrin push was the telling play of Toss Mullane, Ryan O’Leary, Darren Daly and Jamie Harrington.

A run of points from O’Reilly, O’Connor and King steered Kilbrin into a commanding position. And their cause was further boosted, O’Connor and Tola O’Brien combined for Sheahan to add his second goal.

Banteer were afforded little time and space to create chances before Luke Philpott grabbed a late consolation goal from a close in free.

Scorers for Kilbrin: E Sheahan 2-1, F O’Connor 0-7 (0-6f, 0-1’65), R King 0-3, C King 0-3, S Crowley, S O’Reilly 0-1 each.

Banteer: L Philpott 2-5 (1-5 f), B Philpott 1-0, D Wilson, T Sexton, E O’Brien 0-1 each.

KILBRIN: E O’Riordan; M Field, T Mullane, Maolmhuire O’Brien; R O’Leary, D Daly, Tuathal O’Brien; S Crowley, J Harrington; F O’Connor, R King, C King; S O’Reilly, E Sheahan, N Field. 

Subs: B O’Sullivan for R O’Leary, Tola O’Brien for N Field, Maoliosa O’Brien for S Crowley, M Sheahan for S O’Reilly, R McGrory for Tuathal O’Brien.

BANTEER: M Twomey; C O’Neill, J McAulliffe, D O’Donoughue; D Wilson, R O’Connor, R O’Connell; E O’Brien, A Coughlan; T Sexton, K Tarrant, B Philpott; J Archdeacon, L Philpott, L O’Brien. 

Subs: C Crowley for L O’Brien, C O’Keeffe for J Archdeacon.

Referee: S Sheehan (Liscarroll).