Killimordaly’s attack proves trump card in lively struggle

Killimordaly 0-25

Mullagh 1-18

THE pre-match narrative was that Killimordaly would carry too much firepower for an injury-hit Mullagh outfit in this preliminary senior hurling quarter-final at Kenny Park, Athenry on Saturday and that’s how this lively and open encounter transpired.

But securing a passage to the last eight proved far from trouble-free for Killimordaly. They were only a point ahead with five minutes of normal time remaining and were regularly knocked off their stride by spirited Mullagh resistance in a match which was notable for a barrage of accurate shooting in the opening dozen minutes.

Killimordaly will also need to step up on this display if they are to repeat their 2017 shock win over champions St Thomas’ in the upcoming quarter-finals. They were caught sleepwalking for a number of Mullagh’s puck-outs, especially in the first half, and tended to hurl in fits and starts.

Without injured long-serving pair, Johnny Rafferty and Kevin Briscoe, Mullagh looked vulnerable heading into this fixture, particularly as their group form had been nothing to write home about. But they were admirably committed on a day centre back, Sean Hardiman, was an inspirational figure at the heart of their defence.

They competed on largely even terms for much of a wind-assisted opening half, only to be outscored by 0-5 to 0-1 heading to the break. That period was to prove costly for them and left Mullagh facing an uphill struggle on the resumption.

Most teams trailing by four points at half-time – in this case, 0-14 to 0-10 – and having to face a stiffish wind would have faded away, but Conor Dervan’s charges were in no mood to roll over and forced Killimordaly to dig deep before finally getting over the line.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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