*Keith Smyth takes a sideline cut.
KILLANENA came out on top in a cracking East Clare derby against Whitegate to seal their place in the semi-finals of the Clare IHC.
Killanena 1-19
Whitegate 1-18
Venue: Scariff
A first semi-final since 2010 awaits Killanena who struck a late free via talisman Keith Smyth to prevent the need for extra time at a sun splashed Scariff on Friday evening. There was great interest in the tie which drew spectators from neighbouring East Clare clubs.
Smyth led the way up front, finishing with a personal tally of 1-9 for the winners while Tobias O’Meara at centre forward hit 0-5 from play. Both Ronan Keane and Ian Macnamara were immense in the half-back line.
Overall, they appeared to be the more balanced outfit and while it was Whitegate that had the brighter of the starts, Killanena’s win was merited even despite the best efforts of Conor Whelan who has had a tremendous championship.
Arguably the most defining spell in the game was over four minutes in the final quarter when Killanea hit four points in succession, this included a blitz of three within a minute, Ronan Keane and Ian Macnamara landing long range inspirational scores while Gearoid Keane also split the posts to give them a four point advantage which ensured that Whitegate’s next score, a goal from Finn Madden didn’t turn the game on its head.
Smyth’s close range free on fourteen minutes which went all the way to the back of Andrew Fahey’s net was the score of most significance in the opening half, it brought Killanena firmly into the match and undid all of Whitegate’s initial groundwork. They led 0-4 0-1 by the seventh minute, Ian Fahy pointing from distance off a quick puckout which demonstrated that at this period Whitegate were the sharper side.
Referee Aaron Hogg had to dish out four yellow cards in the first half which underlined how tense and competitive exchanges were.
Ronan Hayes’ yellow was most costly, he coughed up a free after connecting with the head of the Killanena forward after the ball had been cleared, this resulted in a free from where the sliotar landed and that was the placed ball which Smyth struck to the back of the net.
Following the green flag, it was a case of Smyth and Whelan swapping scores, the sides were level on four occasions between the fourteenth minute and approaching the half time whistle until Tobias O’Meara popped up with second point to make it 1-7 0-9 in favour of Killanena at half time.
It became a two point lead on the restart when Keith Smyth intercepted a sideline cut and made no mistake when shooting for the posts. Conor Whelan had Whitegate’s score on thirty two minutes with a free before opposing centre forwards Tobias O’Meara and Finn Madden swapped points.
Excellent scores were produced at either end, Smyth going on a sublime dart as he struck while soloing on the run by the sideline while Daniel Hynes converted from an acute angle to bring them within two points on thirty seven minutes.
Two Whelan placed balls which meant Whitegate had three scores in succession had them level on forty four minutes before Killanena produced that turning spell in the game with four points on the bounce.
Even though Killanena had done enough to withstand the potential consequences of Finn Madden’s goal, there was still a strong possibility of extra time. The sides were level on two separate occasions in the final moments of the game.
Madden shoved Whitegate back ahead on fifty seven minutes following another equaliser from Whelan, only for Smyth to land a sideline cut. Ronan Hayes restored the lead in Whitegate’s favour but Ian Macnamara equalised and the pressure free was nailed by Smyth on sixty two minutes to send Killanena through to the last four.
Competing in their first quarter-final in five seasons, Killanena despite giving a stuttering start rose to the challenge and really delivered. Having fought off relegation scares for the past two seasons, they now having nothing to lose when it comes to the semi-finals. They were solid in the spine of their defence with Ian Mac and Cathal Noonan on top while up front Smyth and O’Meara were excellent with Ronan Keane a standout player at wing back.
Having emerged from a difficult group at the expense of Tulla and Inagh/Kilnamona’s second side, Whitegate will rue their exit at the hands of Killanena. They started well but didn’t maintain their dominance but lacked the same strength in their defence that their opponents had while on the scoring stakes they didn’t help Conor Whelan to carry the burden.
Scorers Killanena: K Smyth (1-9 1-4f 1SC), T O’Meara (0-5), I Macnamara (0-2), R Keane (0-2), G Keane (0-2).
Scorers Whitegate: C Whelan (0-11 4f 2’65), F Madden (1-2), I Fahy (0-2), D Hynes (0-1), R Hayes (0-1).
Killanena:
1: Colm Moloney
2: Ryan Keane
3: Cathal Noonan
4: Jason Keehan
5: Donal Moloney
6: Ian Macnamara
7: Ronan Keane
8: Michael Smyth
9: Padraig O’Callaghan
10: Seamie O’Donnell
12: Tobias O’Mara
11: Shane Broderick
15: Darren Keehan
14: Keith Smyth
13: Gearoid Keane
Subs:
25: Darren McMahon for O’Callaghan (36)
16: Mark Flaherty for G Keane (59)
Whitegate:
1: Andrew Fahey
4: Dylan White
3: Brendan Bugler
2: Ciaran Quinn
7: Ian Fahy
6: Mikey Bogenberger
10: Liam Murray
8: Conor Whelan
9: Conor McDermott
27: Cian McDermott
11: Finn Madden
12: Michael Heffernan
13: Paddy Burke
14: Ronan Hayes
15: Danny Hynes
Subs:
26: Kalum Fahy for Cian McDermott (44)
Referee: Aaron Hogg (Clonlara)
