THE NATIONALIST
Saturday 6th September 2003

Davins and Killenaule are level following thriller

South Minor Hurling Championship 'A' Semifinal

Carrick Davins 0-12, Killenaule 0-12

• Carrick Davins and Killenaule served up a tremendous tussle in the Chadwicks sponsored South Minor Hurling A Championship Semi Final played at Ned Hall Park on Tuesday 26th August.
  
  It was one of the most entertaining games played in this year's minor championship. The level of skill and commitment was a tribute to both teams as each side went all out for victory.
  
  Killenaule opened the scoring after three minutes when Stephen Brennan sent a free over. Davins' Alan Redmond soared high to grab the sliotar from the sky and powered a shot over the bar in the 5th minute. Richie McGrath had his first score, a point from 50 metres, in the 6th minute and a minute later John Murphy had a fine point in the 7th minute.
  
  Killenaule's goalkeeper Gerry Kennedy made a number of good saves for his side. Davins' Richie McGrath added another point in the 12th minute to put them further in front.
  
  Killenaule settled more into the game and had a point from Stephen Brennan in the 15th minute and one by full forward Padraig Kirby in the same minute. Niall Bergin put over a fine point in the 17th minute to leave the sides level. Davins' Ger Robinson grabbed the sliotar and busted his way through the Killenaule defence to put his side ahead again in the 18th minute.
  
  Killenaule's Kieran Bergin put over a fine point in the 21st minute to leave the sides level again.
  
  Davins had a lucky escape in the 22nd minute when the sliotar came back off the crossbar and Killenaule corner forward Eddie Fanning just failed to get his stick to the ball. Davins' Shane Butler put his side ahead in the 22nd minute with a point.
  
  Killenaule's Niall Bergin was fouled and Stephen Brennan put over the free in th24th minute to leave the sides level again. Davins Alan Redmond pointed in the 25th minute. Killenaule's Declan Berry and Ian Murphy had the last two points of the first half leaving the half time score, Killenaule 0-8 Davins 0-7.
  
  In the second half Killenaule opened the scoring with a point from a free in the 5th minute by Stephen Brennan. Davins had their first score in the 13th minute, a point by Shane Butler.
  
  Killenaule full back Brendan Fanning received a straight red card for an off the ball incident on Davins' Ger Robinson.
  
  Davins switched their centre back, Michael Ryan to centre forward and this switch worked well and he pointed in the 15th minute. Killenaule's Kieran Bergin, playing now at full forward, was fouled and Stephen Brennan pointed in the 18th minute. Eddie Fanning put Killenaule further ahead with a point in the 19th minute.
  
  Davins' Michael Ryan, now playing well at centre forward' had a point in the 21st minute and substitute Pat Harris had a fine point in the 21st minute to leave the sides level again.
  
  Davins' Michael Ryan had their last point in the 22nd minute, Richie Mc Grath failed to put over two 65 metre balls in the closing stages.
  
  Killenaule's Stephen Brennan levelled the match when he pointed a free in the 27th minute.
  
  It would be unfair to single out anyone from either team when all played their part in a thrilling game. The bigger men on both teams were ably supported by those smaller in stature but big in heart.
  
  Scores: Carrick Davins: Michael Ryan 0-3, Alan Redmond 0-2, Richie McGrath 0-2, Shane Butler 0-2, John Murphy 0-1, Ger Robinson 0-1, Pat Harris 0-1 1. Killenaule - Stephen Brennan 0-6 (5 from frees), Padraig Kirby 0-1, Niall Bergin 0-1, Kieran Bergin 0-1, Declan Berry 0-1, Ian Murphy 0-1, Eddie Fanning 0-1.
  
  Killenaule - Gerry Kennedy, Georgie Webster, Brendan Fanning, James Hickey, Vinny Hannigan, Jonathan O’Dwyer, David McGuire, Kieran Bergin, Stephen Brennan, Michael Doyle, Ian Murphy, Niall Bergin, Eddie Fanning, Padraig Kirby, Declan Berry.
  
  Davins - Liam Mackey, William O'Dwyer, A.J. Cronin, Cohn Smyth, Matthew Duggan, Michael Ryan, Michael Cronin, Richie McGrath, Ger Robinson, John Murphy, Alan Redmond, Luke Foran, Shane Ahem, Shane Butler, Ger Crowe, Sub Pat Harris.
  
  Referee: Noel Cosgrave, Marlfield.