Brannigan in top form as city side reach final

Rahoon/Salthill 1-15

Kilconieron 1-11

Having already captured the U-21 B hurling crown earlier in the year, the Rahoon/Salthill underage amalgamation are now on the verge of adding the Minor B title following a hard fought victory in testing conditions over a gallant Kilconieron side on Saturday.

Playing with the aid of a stiff, bitterly cold wind that swept across Kenny Park, Rahoon/Salthill took full advantage of the elements in the opening quarter to register six points without reply, and while Kilconieron rallied midway through the half, county minor Eamonn Brannigan produced a stellar display in the opening half and was pivotal to his side having a seven-point half time advantage.

The midfielder, already with a Minor B football winner’s medal to his name with St Michael’s, pounced for six points from play, and was the main difference between the sides. Whether in his composed point taking or clever use of possession, Kilconieron had no one to curb Brannigan’s influence and although they got within four points at the end, Padraic Hannon’s late goal was little more than consolatory.

The Rahoon/Salthill goal, bagged 14 minutes from time by substitute Shane Kelly, restored Rahoon/Salthill’s seven point cushion as Dave Mangan’s impressively accurate free-taking threatened to kick-start a Kilconieron revival. A crucial save, however, from Rahoon/Salthill ‘keeper Joe McNamara kept Kilconieron at arm’s length, and a fine second half showing from Eoin Kennedy helped the city side over the line.

Eamonn Brannigan, Jack Walsh, Andy Dunne, and Eoin Kennedy were key players in this impressive Rahoon/Salthill triumph, with Sean Burke, Colin Hanbury and Shane Moloney also impressive. Best for Kilconieron were Dave Mangan, Ronan Fahy, Eric Donoghue, Brian Hickey, Padraic Hannon, and Evan Cannon.