Piltown 1-18
Mooncoin 0-15

Piltown managed to gain victory in this league championship tie against Mooncoin in Kilmacow. The afternoon start made the heat a major factor and water was needed in plentiful supply for all players. The victors were definitely fastest out of the blocks and it was this start that proved vital to their victory.

James Norris (Kildalton) started the ball rolling with an early free and the scores flow thanks to Philly Kenny, Andrew McCarthy and Nicky Kenny. Billy Quinn kept his side in touch with a pair of placed balls. At this stage Piltown were showing their dominance and further scores from free taker James Norris, Shane Kinsella and Andrew McCarthy enhanced this fact.
Mooncoin settled into the game at this point thanks to points from Keith Kirwin and John Phelan. The intensity of the game was raised a notch at this stage and Mooncoin managed to reduce the deficit still further with points from Kevin Law and Sean Wall. However they still trailed at half-time by 0-11 to 0-6.

Mooncoin needed to start the second half brightly and John Phelan added a point to keep his side in touch. However Piltown kept their noses in front thanks to scores from James Norris and Andrew McCarthy. Mooncoin maintained the pressure and the introduction of Joe Kearns was beneficial to the attack particularly when he added a pair of points. Thomas Kearns from a similar position for the Suirsiders added another point keeping their side very much in the contest.

However the game turned on a couple of incidences in a matter of moments with a shot form Keith Kirwin crashing against the crossbar when a goal seemed ominous. The following Piltown attack enabled a long range effort from Michael Butler where a combination of the strong sun and on rushing forwards resulted in goalie Paddy Kinsella not seeing the ball until very late and this resulted in a goal for Piltown.
Brian Farrell and Andrew Norris added to Piltown’s tally but Mooncoin kept going right to the end and Billy Quinn’s free taking was keeping his side in touch. However Piltown maintained their lead to the end thanks to Andrew McCarthy, Philly Kenny and James Norris (K) this despite replies from Sean Wall and Keith Kirwin.

The fast start made by Piltown was certainly the difference between the sides as Mooncoin settled to their task and played some good hurling after this period. The crucial period of play was also a major influence on the game and this proved to be the scoring difference between the sides at the end.
Piltown will have been pleased with the performance of Mark Culleton at centre back and he was the best of their efficient defenders. The midfield pairing floated in and out of the game with both players contributing to the scoreboard. Their forward play was impressive and all members of the attack apart from Pa Connolly registered scores with Andrew McCarthy, Philly Kenny and James Norris their scorers in chief.

Mooncoin will have been disappointed with the start made but improved throughout the hour. They had good displays in defence from Alan Hennebry and Eamon Mackey while the introduction of Liam Hennebry in defence seemed to improve things. Sean Wall worked hard at midfield while the attack battled hard throughout with Keith Kirwin looking sharp while the introduction of Joe Kearns and Thomas Kearns will have given food for thought for their next encounter.

Scorers
Piltown: J. Norris (0-6 4f); A. McCarthy (0-4); P. Kenny (0-3); M. Butler (1-0);
B. Farrell, N. Kenny, A. Norris, S. Kinsella (0-1 each)
Mooncoin: B. Quinn (0-4f); S. Wall (0-3 1f); J. Phelan, J. Kearns & K. Kirwin
(0-2 each); K. Law & T. Kearns (0-1 each)

Teams
Piltown: J. Norris (Rathmore Rd.); J. Blackmore; P. Kelly; S. Norris; J. Brophy;
M. Culleton; M. Butler; A. Norris; S. Kinsella; N. Kenny; P. Connolly; A. McCarthy;
P. Kenny; B. Farrell; J. Norris (Kildalton)
Subs: R. McCarthy; P. Kirby; P. Maher; N. Brennan
Mooncoin: P. Kinsella; L. Walsh; Rd. Mackey; A. Hennebry; D. Cody; E. Mackey;
S. Walsh; S. Wall; A. Walsh; B. Purcell; C. Hearne; K. Law; K. Kirwin; B. Quinn;
J. Phelan
Subs: D. Phelan; L. Hennebry; J. Kearns; B. Mackey; T. Kearns

Referee: W.Kearney (Dunnamaggin)