AIB All-Ireland Club JHC: Kilcullen inspires Easkey

AIB All-Ireland Club JHC semi-final

Easkey 4-23 Burt 1-21 AET

By Damian Dowds at Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon

Easkey booked their place in a second All-Ireland Junior Club final in three years after a powerful extra-time display finally saw off a stubborn Burt side in a gripping semi-final in Ballyshannon.

In a contest that ebbed and flowed for 80 minutes, it was Andrew Kilcullen who proved the difference. The Easkey full-forward produced a magnificent individual performance, finishing with an outstanding haul of 4-10, including goals in each half of extra time, as the Connacht champions found another level when it mattered most.

Easkey had to weather an early storm as Burt, aided by a strong wind, raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead inside seven minutes. However, the Sligo side never panicked and their ability to strike decisively for goals kept them firmly in touch.

The first breakthrough arrived in the 16th minute when Finnian Cawley burst through the middle before slipping a handpass to Kilcullen, who made no mistake from close range. That goal settled Easkey and, despite Burt continuing to pepper the posts from distance, the Connacht champions remained a constant threat.

Their efficiency was underlined by a second goal late in the half. Again Cawley and Kilcullen combined, Paul Burns saving the initial effort, but Kilcullen reacting quickest to pull on the rebound and finish low to the net. Those two goals ensured Easkey went in only three points adrift at the break, 0-14 to 2-5, despite facing into the wind.

After the restart, Easkey seized control. Kilcullen, Finnian Cawley and Fionn Moylan reeled off six unanswered points as the Sligo side turned the screw, their movement and support play causing Burt serious problems. By the midpoint of the half, Easkey had moved into a 2-12 to 0-16 lead and looked increasingly comfortable.

Thomas Cawley added a superb score under pressure, while Kilcullen’s accuracy from placed balls stretched the advantage further. Although Burt refused to yield and forced extra time with a dramatic late goal and two points, Easkey showed real composure in the dying moments of normal time, surviving two late sideline attempts to keep their season alive.

Extra time belonged to Easkey. Even against the wind in the opening period, they were dominant from the off. Kilcullen struck his third goal inside 40 seconds, bursting through the defence before rifling to the net, setting the tone for what followed.

Easkey’s work-rate and fitness came to the fore as they outscored Burt by 2-7 to 0-3 across the two extra-time periods. Points from Thomas Cawley, Patrick Walsh, Fionn Connolly and Finnian Cawley piled on the pressure, before Kilcullen completed a sensational individual display with his fourth goal early in the second period.

From there, Easkey closed out the game, dropping bodies back, contesting every ball and denying Burt the goal chances they desperately needed. A late Thomas Cawley point capped the victory as the Sligo champions ran out deserving winners.

This was a performance full of quality and belief from Easkey, who now return to Croke Park in January with their All-Ireland dream very much alive.

Scorers for Easkey: Andrew Kilcullen 4-10 (6fs), Finnian Cawley 0-6, Thomas Cawley 0-3, Fionn Connolly 0-2, Fionn Moylan, Patrick Walsh 0-1 each.

Scorers for Burt: Liam Og McKinney 0-12 (3fs), Conor Gartland 1-4 (1f, 1 sideline), Ronan McDermott 0-3, Kyron McColgan 0-2, Kevin Curran 0-1.

Easkey: Adam Rolston; Oisin Moylan, James Weir, Shane Molloy; Donall Hanley, Rory McHugh, Eoghain Rua McGowan; Ronan Molloy, Niall Kilcullen; Fionn Moylan, Finnian Cawley, Daniel Rolston; Thomas Cawley, Andrew Kilcullen, Fionn Connolly.

Subs: Cormac Vereker for D Rolston (35); Patrick Walsh for F Moylan (48); Kevin McGee for O Moylan (59). Extra-time: Eanna Moylan for Hanley (16); Daniel Rolston for F Cawley (18).

Burt: Paul Burns; Calum Purves, Ciaran Bradley, Kevin Curran; Oisin Kelly, Dara Grant, Aidan McKinney; Kieran Brady, Kyron McColgan; Eoin McDaid, Ciaran Porter, Conor Gartland; Christopher McDermott, Ronan McDermott, Liam Og McKinney.

Subs: Fiachra Gill for McDaid (26); Jack Lavery for McColgan (41) Extra-time: Callum Porter for Curran (4); James Donaghey for C McDermott (8); Adam Nelson for Porter (19).

Referee: Kevin Parke (Antrim).