Five star Duffy drives Kilcleagh to big win over Tang
Kilcleagh NS 7-10 Tang NS 2-9
The chief talking point from this Division 4 final was the outstanding display of Kilcleagh NS joint captain Eoin Duffy, who scored a total of 5-5 and Tang NS simply had no answer to his influence.
Among the highlight reel moments for Eoin (a son of Castledaly stalwart Gordon Duffy) were his first and third goals at TEG Cusack Park on Wednesday of last week. And despite an excellent performance from Tang's Gavin Higgins, this all-south decider proved a one-sided affair, with Kilcleagh NS leading 4-8 to 0-5 at half-time.
Early points by Duffy and Tiernan O’Shaughnessy set the tone before James McLoughlin replied for Tang NS. Duffy scored his first goal with a neat dummy and finish. Ronan Harrington contributed the eventual winners' second goal, diverting Darragh Nee's shot to the net.
With Duffy continuing to show the way, and with O’Shaughnessy and Nee also scoring points, Kilcleagh proceeded to build a lead of 2-7 to 0-2.
Tang responded with a necklace of three points from their leading light on the day, Gavin Higgins (two frees).
Harry Donlon sent over a point for Kilcleagh and then set up Duffy for his second goal. There was still time for Duffy to complete his hat-trick before half-time as he blasted to the roof of the net, following good work from Donlon and Nee.
Early in the second half, Higgins boosted Tang with a classy point and then added another from a free. But normal service soon resumed at the other end as Harrington set up the clinical Duffy for another goal. Harrington turned provider to finisher for Kilcleagh's sixth goal.
The boys in maroon and white got their first goal courtesy of Joshua Sheerin after Higgins played the ball inside (28th minute). Tang were unfortunate not to raise another green flag when McLoughlin finished the ball to the net, but the whistle had already been blown for a free which Higgins pointed. James Maynard also got on the scoresheet for Tang.
It was hardly surprising that Duffy supplied what proved the Castledaly side's seventh goal, after he was involved in the build-up himself. O’Shaughnessy's third point proved Kilcleagh's last score of the game, but the last word on the scoring front went to Higgins, whose fine goal was richly deserved considering his overall contribution.
Afterwards, Kilcleagh NS joint captains Eoin Duffy and Ronan Harrington were presented with the trophy by Cumann na mBunscol na hIarmhí chairperson Derek Butler.
Player of the match: Eoin Duffy (Kilcleagh NS).
Scorers - Kilcleagh NS: E Duffy 5-5; R Harrington 2-0; T O’Shaughnessy 0-3; D Nee, H Donlon 0-1 each. Tang NS: G Higgins 1-7 (0-5 frees); Joshua Sheerin 1-0; J McLoughlin, J Maynard 0-1 each.
Kilcleagh NS - Patrick Galvin, Leo Glynn, James Dullea, Aidan Marsh, Oisín Quinn, Eoin Duffy (joint captain), Tiernan O’Shaughnessy, Harry Donlon, Ronan Harrington (joint captain), Darragh Nee, Tyler Yorke, Tom Kelly, Paddy Kelly, Eóin Lawlor, Marcus Ward, James Griffin, Conor Harrington. Teachers/coaches: Sheila Martin, Eimear Fallon, David O'Shaughnessy, Gordon Duffy, William Glynn.
Tang NS - Harry Stanley, Ethan Rhatigan, Charlie O'Toole, Derry Ward, James McLoughlin, Noah Gill (joint captain), Luke Kelly, Gavin Higgins, Joshua Sheerin (joint captain), James Maynard, Oisín Donoghue, Daithí Murray, Daniel O'Rourke, Luke Sloyan, Colm Brennan, Michael Mannion Dalton, Robert Keenan, Isaac Sloyan, Thomas Groarke, Rory Brennan, Jack Fahy, Shane Kenny, Will McLoughlin, Lochlann O'Rourke, Darragh Hall, Donnacha Bannon, Paddy Hickey, John Hickey, Caelan Tormey, Callum Moran, Conor Murphy. Teachers/coaches: Nick Killane, Caitriona Behan.
Referee - Mick McAdden.
*See more photos and Cumann na mBunscol reports in this week's print edition.