Kilmichael: 1-13 

Donoughmore: 1-10 

A much improved second half performance laid the foundations for Kilmichael to overcome Donoughmore in the opening round of the Muskerry JAHC at Coachford on Monday night. Kilmichael struggled in the first half and were lucky to only be 1-9 to 1-6 down at half-time. But Kilmichael grew into the game and were transformed on the change over defending  effectively, while being led on in attack by Cork senior footballer Peter Kelleher who scored massive frees at crucial stages. 

Donoughmore aided by a slight wind in the first half carved open the Kilmichael defence after two minutes, and Conor O’ Rourke was denied a certain  goal from close range by Kilmichael goalkeeper Shane Masters. Donoughmore did get their goal four minutes later, Shane Healy found space in the box and he pulled on the ball to the net. An exquisite finish. 

By the first quarter, the men in black and white led 1-4 to 0-3, but the winners received a boost, as a long range free sent into the penalty box by Simon Foley deceived the goalkeeper and into the net.

The goal didn’t knock Donoughmore and they scored five of the next eight points before the short break to lead 1-9 to 1-6. 

Kilmichael played much better on the change over, scoring three points on the bounce, all from Peter Kelleher placed balls to level the game. Donoughmore scored their first and only point of the half in the 52nd minute from Shane Sexton, to push his side ahead. The losers did have two goal chances in this half, including one hitting the post, but Kilmichael weren’t going to be denied, scoring the last four points, Peter Kelleher with three and a Trevor Tobin effort. 

The game ended on a sour note in injury time, with both sides reduced to 14 players following a melee. Tobin for the winners and Kevin Kelleher for Donoughmore.

Kilmichael can look forward to the Q-Final, Donoughmore will face Éire Óg in the back-door.

Scorers for Kilmichael: P Kelleher 0-9 (0-6f), S Foley 1-0, J McCarthy 0-2, C Cotter 0-1, T Tobin 0-1.

Scorers for Donoughmore: S Healy 1-6 (0-3f), L Cogan 0-1, A Looney 0-1, S Sexton 0-1, J Twomey 0-1

Kilmichael: S Masters, L Hennigan, D Kelly, K O’ Leary, S Foley, J O’ Riordan, K Kelleher, B Cotter, C Cotter, J McCarthy, P Kelleher, T Tobin, P O’ Sullivan, S Prendeville, J O’ Mahony.

Subs: C Dromey for P O’ Sullivan (53).

Donoughmore: K Cullinane, S Looney, A Corkery, L Barry, J Looney, L Cogan, A Looney, S Healy, A O’ Brien, C O’ Rourke, D O’ Shea, W Murphy, S O’ Connor, J Twomey, S Sexton.

Subs: A Savage for A O’ Brien (HT).

Referee: Colm Ó Mochain (Cill na Martra) 

Report by Barry O'Mahony