Kilruane McDonaghs 2-19, Eire Og Annacarty 2-15.

Kilruane McDonaghs emerged as group 3 winners following victory over Eire Og Annacarty in the latest round of the Dan Breen Cup competition held in Templederry last Saturday. The West side can reflect on poor starts to both halves as well as poor finishing in front of goal as main factors in this defeat, but will take heart from their fightbacks in both halves. Something to work on as they face into the West Championship in the coming weeks.

Cian Darcy and Paidi O'Dwyer swapped early points before the North side took control with points from Thomas Cleary (2) and a pair of Cian Darcy frees. Seanie Ryan pointed a free only for Jerome Cahill to reply from play to leave Kilruane ahead by 4 after 10 minutes. Thomas Cleary and Cian Darcy (free) had further points before Kian O'Kelly had the first goal of the game on 14 minutes, flashing past Daragh Mooney. Stirred by this setback, Eire Og came gradually into the game, with a hat-trick of points from Donal O'Dwyer, Tom Fox and Eoin Bradshaw to bring the margin back to 6 as half-time approached. Cian Darcy pointed from play only for Eire to flash over 4 points through Seanie Ryan, Paidi O'Dwyer, Eoin Bradshaw and Ronan O'Brien leaving Kian O'Kelly's goal separarting the teams going into first half injury time. Conor Cleary and Paul Devlin closed out the first half by exchanging points to leave the half-time score 1-10 to 0-10 in Kilruane's favour. Eire Og's cause not helped by shooting 8 first half wides compared to Kilruane's 3.

To have a chance of victory Eire Og needed to maintain their 2nd quarter momentum for the 2nd half. Alas Kilruane had ther ideas as Cian Darcy had a free from the opening attack followed by a defence splitting move saw Conor Cleary's shot parried by Daragh Mooney only to spin off his hurley and over his shoulder into the net. Tough luck on the Eire Og captain. Thomas Cleary and another Cian Darcy free stretched the North's side lead to 9 points by the time Seanie Ryan pointed a brace of frees to open Eire Og's 2nd half account by the 40th minute. Midway through the half Eire Og won a close-in free. Daragh Mooney made the long trek from goal to try for a much needed goal to bring Eire Og back into the game. Unfortunately his powerful well struck shot cannoned off the left-hand post and was cleared. Ray McLoughney, Conor Cleary and Jerome Cahill added further points with Conor O'Brien replying for Eire Og. The margin was back to nine. With 10 minutes remaining, Eire Og got a much needed boost when 2nd half sub Richard O'Doherty goaled from close range. 4 minutes later following a point from Cian Darcy, Kilruane goalkeeper Seamus Hennessy was retrieving the ball from the net again, this time Tom Fox the finisher, lashing home first time past the advancing keeper. Seanie Ryan pointed another free and followed with one from play to leave 2 between the sides with 4 minutes remaining. With the game seemingly slipping away from them, the North side steadied the ship and finished strongly, Willie Cleary pointed before Cian Darcy closed out the scoring with a 65, following a brillant save from Daragh Mooney. Brian Fox hit the side netting in injury time, leaving Kilruane McDonaghs winners and table toppers, 2-19 to 2-15 as referee Johnny Ryan blew for full-time.

Eire Og will regret the slow start in both halves as well as shooting 14 wides as contributing factors in this loss. Amongst their leading performers in today's game were Daragh Mooney, Diarmaid Ryan, Brian Fox, Paul Devlin, Paidi O'Dwyer, Tom Fox and Eoin Bradshaw.

Eire Og Annacarty: Daragh Mooney (Capt), Diarmaid Ryan, Eoin Kennedy, Stephen O'Brien, Kev Fox, Brian Fox, Paul Devlin (0-1), Paidi O'Dwyer (0-2), Conor O'Brien (0-1), Tom Fox (Capt) (1-1), Donal O'Dwyer (0-1), Eoin Bradshaw (0-2), Seanie Ryan (0-6, 5 frees), Dinny Crosse, Ronan O'Brien (0-1). Subs: Richard O'Doherty (1-0) for Ronan O'Brien (44m), Paul Downey for Dinny Crosse (52m), Dinny Crosse for Eoin Bradshaw (58m).

Referee: Johnny Ryan, Boherlahan-Dualla.