Kilmallock progress

Kilmallock 2-11 Crusheen 0-14:LIMERICK CHAMPIONS Kilmallock qualified for the semi-final of the Munster club championship with three points to spare over Clare's Crusheen at Cusack Park, Ennis yesterday. Though their first-half performance left a lot to be desired, the Shannonsiders clinched victory with a great rally in the second period.

Two goals and four points to no reply inside five and a half minutes of the restart from the Limerick men, overturned a 0-7 to 0-5 half-time scoreline and paved the way for what was to be an entertaining second half-hour of hurling.

From the restart, Crusheen were swamped. Within four minutes, they were hit by as many points scored by the Mulcahy brothers Graeme (two), Jake and Paudie O’Dwyer. Crusheen keeper Donal Tuohy fumbled a dropping ball which Andrew O’Shaughnessy dispatched to the net and within 30 seconds he conceded another, this time to Shane O’Donnell.

By the 41st minute, the scoreboard read 2-10 to 0-9 but Kilmallock didn’t make it easy for themselves. They hit five unanswered wides during a period of dominance. Crusheen, who were served admirably by their man-of-the-match Paddy Vaughan, chipped away and reduced the deficit to just two points with three minutes left, but Paudie O’Brien sealed victory with a long-range point.

KILMALLOCK: B Hennessy; L Hurley, P O’Loughlin, K O’Mahony; L Walsh, G O’Mahony (capt), B O’Sullivan; E Ryan (0-1), P O’Brien (0-1); P O’Dwyer (0-2), S O’Donnell (1-0), G O’Sullivan; G Mulcahy (0-2), A O’Shaughnessy (1-3, 0-3 frees), J Mulcahy (0-2). Subs: P Connery for O’Donnell (51 mins), K O’Donnell for J Mulcahy (58).

CRUSHEEN: D Tuohy; J Brigdale, Cronan Dillon, A Brigdale; Cathal Dillon, Cian Dillon, C O’Doherty; T Meaney, P Vaughan (0-7, 0-4 frees); G O’Donnell (0-3), J Meaney (0-3, 0-1 free), D Forde; C O’Donnell, G O’Grady (capt, 0-1), F Kennedy. Subs: P Meaney for Cian Dillon inj (10 mins), Cian Dillon for P Meaney (21 mins), P Meaney for T Meaney (39 mins), P O’Grady for Vaughan inj (55 mins).

Referee: C McAllister (Cork).