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With the rain relentless throughout, expectation was that the game as a spectacle would flatter to deceive, but credit to both sets of players for a high-energy, competitive game,that was very much in the melting pot right to the end. Killlenaule cruised through the league section with maximum points, including a 14 point victory over a depleted Mullinahone two weeks ago, but knockout hurling been what it is, a much tighter affair always seemed on the cards.

The breeze favoured Mullinahone slightly in the first half but it was Killenaule who started the brighter of the two sides. John O’Dwyer, one of the few shining lights from Tipperary’s defeat in the Gaelic Grounds seven days ago, pointed a free inside 20seconds for a foul on Tony Doyle. Patrick Kerwick made it two a minute later, following good work form Michael Doyle and John O’Dwyer. Mullinahone replied through an Eoin Kelly free in the 6th minute, before another O’Dwyer free maintained Killenaule’s 2point lead. Free flowing hurling was very much at a premium, given the conditions, which seemed to worsen as the game wore on. Eoin Kelly pointed his and Mullinahone’s second from a free after ten minutes, which was matched by an exquisite John O’Dwyer point from a line ball to keep Killenaule ahead. Pat Kerwick further enhanced Killenaule’s lead soon after, with his second point of the evening.

At this stage Mullinahone were looking for Eoin Kelly at every opportunity, and he had a wonderful point from a narrow angle in the 16th minute, and followed it up with another free success two minutes later. Mullinahone were beginning to grow in confidence and another Kelly free left them just a point behind with half time approaching. Killenaule’s Daniel Guinan, having been released by Tony Doyle, fired a great point over the bar to keep Killenaule’s tally ticking over but the teams went to the dressing rooms all square as a brace of Eoin Kelly frees tied the the game up at 7points apiece.

From the restart Eoin Kelly had his fourth in a row to put the Kickham’s men in the lead for the very first time. Tackling was now intense and at times ferocious and referee Noel Cosgrove had his hands full, issuing yellow cards a plenty. John O’Dwyer restored parity a few minutes later, pointing a free after he himself was fouled. But it was the next ten minutes where Killenaule took a grip on the game, and were never headed from thereon in. Substitute Dominic Blake put them in front after a great pass from Tony Doyle and Michael Doyle doubled the advantage with a great point two minutes later. Eoin Kelly, now operating in the half-forward line,landed a huge free for Mullinahone with 15mins remaining, as his almost sole crusade keep Mullinahone in touch. John O’Dwyer at this point had left the field for attention, so Tony Doyle took charge of free taking duties, and two in as many minutes from Doyle, gave Killenaule sight of the finishing line. With Killenaule three up with five to play, Mulllinahone needed something special. It very nearly arrived however, with two Eoin Kelly points, one a great long distance score off his left side, breathing new found belief into Mullinahone at the death. Then disaster struck for CJK, when a second yellow card, dismissed Eoin Kelly with seconds on the clock. A resolute Killenaule defence hung on, taking victory by the minimum to join Saturday night’s semi-final victors Carrick Swans in the final.

On the night a more balanced team performance saw Killenaule over the line, which included assured displays from Declan Fanning, Kieran Bergin, John O’Dwyer,and Tony Doyle.Its to the Dan Breen Cup qualifiers for Mullinahone, whose over reliance on Eoin Kelly ultimately proved to be their downfall.

Killenaule: Gerry Kennedy, Stephen Browne, Paddy Codd, Pat O’Connor, Joe O’Dwyer, Declan Fanning(capt.), Kieran Bergin, Thomas Keaveney, Niall O’Dwyer, Kevin Prendergast, John O’Dwyer(0-5 4 frees 1 sideline), Daniel Guinan(0-1), Patrick Kerwick(0-2), Tony Doyle(0-2frees), Michael Doyle(0-1)

Subs: Stephen Hannigan for Kevin Prendergast (ht), Dominic Blake (0-1) for Thomas Keaveney(40mins), Joe Ceaser for John O’Dwyer(51mins), John O’Dwyer for Niall O’Dwyer(59mins)

CJK Mullinahone: Alan Walsh, Kevin Walzer, AJ Cronin, James Connolly, Phillip O’Shea, Paul Curran, Niall Curran, Edwin O’Meara(capt.), Donal Coady, Niall Cronin, Ky Vaughan, Eoin Kelly(0-11, 9frees), Alan Curran, Micheal Dunne

Sub: Eddie Carey for Niall Cronin (ht)

COMMUNITY PARK OPENS

On Tuesday evening the news spread like wildfire and great crowds thronged to the park. The fine weather has also especially helped. Visitors to the park are asked to be careful with parking and also to fully observe the Park rules.

WATER PIPES GO DOWN

Local people were thrilled to see a start being made last week to the new Regional Water Supply Scheme. This upgrade to a supply which is 50 years old has been eagerly looked forward to. Early reports on the laying of pipes in the Kilvemnon and Mullinoly areas indicate that progress is being made quickly.

TIDY TOWNS

The village has received a major facelift in the past few weeks. Our thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors who have rallied round. If anybody would like to sponsor a hanging basket or even to look after one contact Alma Vaughan.

MULLINAHONE GAA

Results of club membership draw: 1st Tracy Lonergan/Curran, 2nd Tom Carey, 3rd Brian Vaughan, 4th Fr. John McGrath P.P, 5th Neil Thompson. The club membership blitz was very successful bringing about an increase in membership over last year. Not so good for the club was the hurling result over the weekend when Mullinahone went down 2.21 to 0.13 in the last league game of the South championship. However, we have qualified for yet another South Tipp semifinal in where we play Killenaule.

We are grateful to selectors Kyran Vaughan and Eddie Carey who were forced to line out on Saturday. Kyran played on the team when we first played senior hurling back in 1992 which was 22 championships ago.

WELL DONE ALEX

Congratulations to Alex Maher, Killaghy Street, who won a bronze medal at the national finals of the Community Games in Art and Model Making.

Carrick Swan play Ballingarry in the other semi-final with both games taking place week ending June 16.

Killenaule seized the initiative early on, racing into 0-4 to no score lead in the first eight minutes, Tony Doyle linking up with Niall O’Dwyer for the opener, followed by a Daniel Guinan point and a quick brace from Pat Kerwick.

It took Mullinahone longer to settle but were well in the game after two converted frees from center-forward Donal Coady. Killenaule’s Michael Doyle who amassed 1-6 from play after the hour, fired over a great point in the twelfth minute, before Donal Coady replied for CJK with another free.

Mullinahone’s Micheal Dunne then had a couple of fine points in quick succession, the first a neat score from his left side and the second the fishing touch to great move involving Edwin O’Meara and Donal Coady.

With Mullinahone eating into the lead, Killenaule began to up the ante. Tony Doyle began dominating on the edge of the square, pointing himself in the 17th minute, before twice turning provider for his brother Michael, either  side of another Donal Coady free.

Killenaule’s younger players were working extremley hard, in particular Daniel Guinan, who set up Tony Doyle for another score to extend Killenaule’s lead. Midfielder Thomas Keaveney tagged on another and Killenaule were well on top with halftime approaching.

Further points from Tony Doyle and a huge one from Daniel Guinan against another Donal Coady free for Mullinahone gave Killenaule an interval lead of 0-13 to 0-7.

The game was virtually over as a contest minutes after the re-start. Michael Doyle, having scored a point from a tight angle as play resumed, moments later collected a Pat Kerwick pass, ghosted past two markers and buried a low shot to the back of the Mullinahone net.

Joe Hogan and Damien McCormack exchanged points soon after and then Donal Coady had a point to narrow the gap. In truth Mullinahone were struggling to make any inroads against an assured Killenaule backline bolstered by the ever dependable Declan Fanning.

Their attack was undoubtedly weakened by the absense of Eoin Kelly and USA-bound pair Sean Curran and Cahal Horan. However Micheal Dunne was lively throughout and pointed again in the 45h minute, before Eoin Fennelly landed a long range free, for a foul on Philip O’Shea.

Killenaule were still very much in command though and pulled further clear with three in a row from Tony Doyle, Damien McCormack and Michael Doyle. Eoin Fennelly had another long range effort for Mullinahone with time running out, before the Doyle brothers once again had points to enhance their escalating personal tallies. Finally a goal following some skillful improvisation by Dominic Blake wrapped up proceedings.

Killenaule were  full value for this victory, and with John O’Dwyer and Kieran Bergin to come back into the team  they will probably take their semi-final place as marginal favourites although Mullinahone will be hoping the return of Eoin Kelly, Paul Curran et al, will be sufficient to sway matters in their favour in a fortnight’s time.

Killenaule: Gerry Kennedy, Stephen Browne, Paddy Codd, Pat O’Connor, Joe O’Dwyer, Declan Fanning, Stephen Hannigan, Niall O’Dwyer (0-1) Thomas Keaveney (0-1) Daniel Guinan (0-2), Damien McCormack (0-2), Patrick Kerwick (0-3), Michael Doyle (1-6), Tony Doyle (0-6, 2frees), Dominic Blake (1-0).

Mullinahone: R. Walsh, Niall Cronin, AJ Cronin, Ky Vaughan, Luke Mullally, Eoin Fennelly (0-2), Philip O’Shea, Edwin O’Meara, Eddie Carey, Niall Mullally, Donal Coady (0-7 6frees), Michael Dunne (0-3), Michael Lutrell, Joey O’Meara, Joe Hogan (0-1)