Cuchulainns return to first IFC final since 2018

IFC semi-final

Cuchulainns 1-21

Killinkere 0-11

Paul Fitzpatrick at Kingspan Breffni

Cuchulainns are back in a county final for the first time since 2018 after producing a very impressive performance to see off neighbours Killinkere in this Intermediate Championship semi-final last night. It was Niall Lynch’s side’s sixth win in a row in this campaign, and one which confirmed them as the form side heading into the decider against either Butlersbridge or Cornafean.

The match was preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of the late Paddy Carolan and when it began, Cuchulainns flew out of the blocks. Evan Doughty, who was in very lively form, won an early free when fouled and tapped it over himself.

From the resulting kick-out, Man of the Match Ryan Tobin soared to claim possession and released Mark Gilsenan whose pace created a goal chance – the shot was well saved but still looped over for a point. Conall Mooney hit back immediately for Killinkere, finishing a move with a clever dummy before clipping over with his left.

But already the Cross-Mullagh men were moving ominously well and they struck for the game’s only goal on eight minutes. Niall Carolan won a turnover at midfield, surged forward and timed his pass perfectly for Doughty, who blasted an unstoppable shot to the top corner. Adam O’Reilly followed up with a neat point off the left after a Bryan Magee lay-off to leave it 1-3 to 0-1 after nine minutes.

Cuchulainns’ physicality and movement in attack, especially from Magee and Doughty, was telling at this stage. After a couple of wides from both sides, Tobin landed a superb point, stepping inside and curling over with his left. Adam O’Reilly struck again from 30 metres before Philip Smyth became their fifth scorer, punishing a turnover from the Killinkere kick-out to make it 1-6 to 0-1 after 20 minutes.

Cuchulainns’ pressure was relentless, with Gilsenan racing clear to fist over soon after, but Killinkere finally ended a 22-minute scoring drought when Alex Sweeney pointed.

Kevin McCabe quickly added another after a fine crossfield ball from Jason McMahon, but Cuchulainns always had an answer. A classy long run and finish from Niall Carolan restored their cushion. Although Emmett Fitzsimons clipped one from the wing in injury time, the half ended 1-9 to 0-4.

Straight from the restart, Cuchulainns pushed forward again. Within 20 seconds, Doughty slotted a free. Then a flowing move saw Niall Carolan, who was flawless on the evening, deliver the perfect handpass for Turlough Farrelly to score. Fitzsimons replied with a free for Killinkere but veteran Adrian Taite soon restored the gap with his second point.

Killinkere briefly threatened a revival. Mooney converted a free and then landed a brilliant outside-of-the-boot two-pointer from the edge of the arc. McMahon followed with a clever quick free and score, and suddenly the margin was down to six at 1-12 to 0-9 on 43 minutes.

Ciaran O’Malley’s men were winning collisions and had momentum, but crucially they needed goals – or orange flags - and could manufacture neither.

The next score was always going to be pivotal, and it fell to Doughty. Released by Adam O’Reilly, he clipped over with the right, and from the resulting kick-out he struck again inside 30 seconds. That brace killed Killinkere’s surge. Although Fitzsimons pulled one back with a free, Doughty answered again, before goalkeeper Ryan Lennon delivered a sweetly-struck two-point free off the ground from long range to make it 1-18 to 0-11 entering the final stretch.

In the closing minutes, Cuchulainns’ spread of scorers told. Bryan Magee, Farrelly and Doughty all chipped in, and Niall Magee swung over from the right wing. Deep in injury time, Bryan Magee tapped over a free to complete the rout, bringing it to 11 separate scorers in all.

Cuchulainns did register seven wides and dropped three short, but their dominance and composure in key moments were overwhelming. Despite Jake Norris impressing in goals with solid restarts, Cuchulainns used the ball better. Despite the scoreline, the contest still felt competitive after Killinkere’s mini revival until Doughty’s quickfire double midway through the second half.

Lynch’s side head into the final in fine fettle. For Killinkere, their campaign started and ended disappointingly but they were very impressive in the four matches in between and can take lots of positives from the championship.

Cuchulainns: Ryan Lennon (0-2, 2ptf), Niall Carolan (0-1), Cian Donoghue, Cian Doughty, Oisin Carolan, Philip Smyth (0-1), Ryan Tobin (0-1), Bryan Magee (0-1, 1f), Adrian Taite (0-2), Adam O’Reilly (0-2), Evan Doughty (1-6, 3f), Niall Magee (0-1), Ruairi O’Connell, Mark Gilsenan (0-2), Turlough Farrelly (0-2)

Subs: Oisin Donoghue for A Taite (43), Sean Kenny for M Gilsenan (51), Luke Doyle for O Carolan (55), Glenn McCann for T Farrelly (58), Cillian McCabe for C Doughty (59)

Killinkere: Jake Norris, Shane Ryan, Nathan McQuade, Mark Farrelly Jnr, Liam McCabe, Luke Crossan, Alex Sweeney (0-1), Fintan O’Connell, James Farrelly, Darren Smith, Jason McMahon (0-1), Kevin McCabe (0-1), Emmett Fitzsimons (0-3, 1f), Conall Mooney (0-5, 2f, 2pt), Ciaran Flynn

Subs: Philip Furlong for M Farrelly Jr (27), Peter McCabe for D Smith (ht), Damien Sexton for F O’Connell (40), Cian McGovern for C Flynn (51)

Ref: Maggie Farrelly