Williams' heroics fail to rescue Coláiste Mhuire

Kilkenny CBS 3-21, Coláiste Mhuire 4-16

There was a controversial finish to the Leinster Junior ‘A’ hurling championship semi-final at Robinstown on Wednesday, as Mullingar’s Coláiste Mhuire suffered defeat against Kilkenny CBS in a thrilling encounter.

Two cynical tackles in the dying moments denied the local side goal-scoring chances, and the visitors were reduced to 14 men when corner-back Ben Henderson was red-carded for a dangerous challenge.

Akin to the infamous Seán Kavanagh tackle in 2013 before the black card was introduced in football, the rugby tackle on Coláiste Mhuire’s Will Scahill as he raced through on goal in injury time was not appreciated by the home side. The resulting free by Conor Williams was blocked down, and Kilkenny CBS survived a goalmouth scramble to book their place in the final and dash Coláiste Mhuire's hopes of creating history.

Defeat was a cruel blow for Williams (scorer of 3-8) and his colleagues, who contributed to a fantastic hurling contest. On reflection, Coláiste Mhuire probably lost this semi-final in the opening five minutes when they conceded two goals (the second very softly) and fell seven points in arrears. It was a remarkable display to turn it around after half an hour courtesy of Conor Williams’ third goal, and they led at half-time by 3-8 to 2-10.

Coláiste Mhuire appeared to have every chance when Scahill found the net in the 45th minute to put them ahead by 4-13 to 2-13; they were still five points clear with 12 minutes of normal time remaining, but Eoin Moore's second goal was crucial for Kilkenny CBS, his shot creeping in at the near post.

The Mullingar side managed just three points in the final 22 minutes (including six minutes of added time), and that wasn't enough to get them over the line.

Former All-Ireland referee Barry Kelly came under pressure to send off Kilkenny CBS’s Padraig Meany for the challenge on Scahill, but under the rules, he could only issue a yellow card. It was a major talking point after such a wonderful game.

The standard was really high and it took Coláiste Mhuire just a little while to find their groove which ultimately proved costly. At the end of the first quarter they were just four points behind having battled back from the concession of early goals as a ruthless Kilkenny CBS side wasted very little - Sam O’Shea with a deadly finish for the first goal after 30 seconds and Moore getting a second when Ollie O’Donovan played a lovely diagonal pass. Moore’s shot should have been kept out, but goals from Williams in the seventh and 12th minutes ignited a fightback. Dillon Burke’s fine work led to the first and Conor Maleady’s strong run created the chance for the second.

In between there were quality scores from Eoghan Lynch (after a great touch from O'Donovan) and Josh Dowling, whose run through the heart of the opposing cover underlined their more direct style.

Quality scoring was a key feature and O’Donovan’s terrific point had Kilkenny CBS 2-8 to 2-4 ahead by the 22nd minute; Ted Aherne had early fired over a great score for the home side. They notched 1-3 without reply between the 25th and 30th minutes to take control - Padraig Monaghan and Burke (two) with the minors before Monaghan set up Williams for his third goal. Having been seven points adrift, Coláiste Mhuire had a slender lead at the interval and the team talk was made easier for manager Adrian Moran, along with Micheál Lawler and Amy Kenny.

Coláiste Mhuire managed 1-7 in the second half, but conceded 1-10 and that was a telling statistic. The Mullingar goal came on 44 minutes when Scahill forced a turnover and got clear to fire the ball to the net. That gave them a six-point lead and in truth, they ought to have seen out the game from here, but Kilkenny CBS had other ideas. The third goal on 48 minutes was the crucial score, Moore getting clear before his shot crept in at the near post.

Yet Scahill’s point, a quick reply, pushed the home side three clear again but the next four scores went to a now rampant visiting side - O’Donovan’s superb strike putting them ahead again on 57 minutes (3-19 to 4-15). In the final minute it was level courtesy of Aaron Connaire’s fine point, before O’Donovan and Moore got the final two scores - Moore’s after slick stick work.

The cynical nature of the fouling at the end left a bad taste and is not in the spirit of the game, but the rules need tweaking to address flaws in this regard.

Scorers - Kilkenny CBS: O O’Donovan 0-11 (5f, 2 ‘65s’), E Moore 2-1, S O’Shea 1-4, P Meany, E Lynch, J Dowling, A Maher, J Dowling 0-1 each.

Coláiste Mhuire: C Williams 3-8 (0-4f, 1 ‘65’), W Scahill 1-1, T Aherne and D Burke 0-2 each, P Monaghan, C Cleary, A Connaire 0-1 each.

Coláiste Mhuire: Ryan McNamee; Niall Brady, Tomás Brennan, Liam Heffernan; Aaron Connaire, MJ Long, Cillian Walsh; Seán Byrne, Conor Cleary; Conor Maleady, Padraig Monaghan, Cian O’Mara; Dillon Burke, Conor Williams, Ted Aherne. Subs: Will Scahill for Heffernan (20), Hugo Corroon for Walsh (50).

Kilkenny CBS: Rian Dowling; Ben Henderson, David McGee, Robbie Lacey; Noah Gibbons, Josh Dowling, Oisín Henderson; Padraig Meany, Eoghan Lynch; Luke McDonald, Sam O’Shea, Adam Maher; Eoin Moore, Joe Dowling, Ollie O’Donovan. Sub: Patrick Sinnott for Dowling (60).

Ref: Barry Kelly (St Oliver Plunkett’s).

Examiner's Eye on the game

Man of the match

Ollie O’Donovan (Kilkenny CBS): With 11 precious points, the unerring corner forward gets the nod over Conor Williams who was outstanding.

Score of the match

Coláiste Mhuire contributed greatly and Ted Aherne’s wonderful point on 18 minutes, after he made great headway up the wing, was up there with one of the best scores of the game. O’Donovan (21 minutes) and Sam O’Shea (40 minutes) also shot great points - that’s without considering the goals.

Talking point

Without question, the cynical nature of the late fouls which have no place in hurling and the rules need to be changed and brought into line with the inter county to protect skilful players. A black card and a penalty was the appropriate sanction for at least the first (if not both of those late tackles), but it only applies at inter county level.