Slevin shines for Kilcormac

Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-11 Mt Leinster Rangers 0-9:Kilcormac-Killoughey captain Ciarán Slevin scored 1-10 as the Offaly champions saw off the challenge of Mount Leinster Rangers in a hard-fought Leinster Club SHC quarter-final before an attendance of 2,000 at Dr Cullen Park yesterday.

Slevin was the major difference between the sides, scoring 1-2 from play, 0-7 from frees and 0-1 from a ’65 in a super show of scoring in difficult conditions.

The game was played in a second half downpour after the sides were level, 0-7 apiece at half time, having been level on seven occasions. Highlight of the half was a superbly pointed sideline cut by Rangers wing back Edward Coady in the eighth minute.

In the 38th Slevin crashed the sliotar to the net to edge the Offaly side ahead 1-8 to 0-7.

Rangers had heroic defenders in full back Garry Doyle, corner back Gary Kelly and half backs Brian Nolan and Richard Coady but they lacked a cutting edge in attack.

Rangers’ cause was totally lost when Eoin Doyle received a second yellow card in the final quarter.

KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY: Conor Slevin; J Grogan, G Healion, A McConville; K Grogan, P Healion, B Leonard; D Kilmartin, K Leonard; Ciarán Slevin (1-10, seven frees, one 65), C Mahon, P Geraghy; J Gorman (0-1), D Currams, T Geraghty. Subs: T Fletcher for Gorman (22 mins), J Geraghty for K Leonard (55 mins), M Leonard for P Geraghty (60 mins). MT LEINSTER RANGERS: F Foley; M Doyle, G Doyle, G Kelly; B Nolan, R Coady, E Coady (0-1, line cut); R Kelly (0-1), D Byrne; J Coady, E Byrne, D Phelan; E Doyle (0-2), W Hickey, D Murphy (0-5, all frees). Subs: P Coady for J Coady (36 mins), H P O’Byrne for Hickey (51 mins). Referee: S Cleere (Kilkenny).