Kilmacud Crokes edge Mount Leinster in thrilling quarter-final

Kilmacud Crokes secured a hard-fought victory over Mount Leinster Rangers in the Leinster Senior Hurling quarter-final. The match, held at Netwatch Cullen Park, saw both sides trade scores before Crokes pulled away in extra time to clinch the win.

Kilmacud Crokes advanced to the semi-final stage of the AIB Leinster Senior Hurling Championship after a fiercely contested quarter-final against Mount Leinster Rangers at Netwatch Cullen Park.

First half battle

The opening half was tightly contested, with the Carlow champions initially claiming the lead through points by Dara Purcell and Caolan Conway. Mount Leinster Rangers responded through a free from Chris Nolan, who proved pivotal throughout the game with his accuracy from placed balls.

Defensively, Kevin McDonald and Fiachra Fitzpatrick stood firm for the visitors, while Kilmacud Crokes’ attack thrived with four forwards scoring from play. Ronan Hayes contributed three well-taken frees. The only goal of the match came on the 28th minute when Donagh Murphy was fouled inside the square, allowing Nolan to slot the ball into the net. At half-time, Crokes led narrowly on 0-12 to 1-8.

Second half surge and decisive moments

Early in the second half, two frees from Nolan put the Rangers ahead, but Kilmacud quickly responded with points from Brian Hayes and Ronan Hayes. Nolan’s skillful point energized the home crowd, while brothers Donagh and Ruairi Murphy added points for the visitors.

Kilmacud Crokes then enjoyed a dominant spell, scoring six unanswered points, with Ronan Hayes spearheading the charge alongside Brendan McKenna and Alex Considine. Despite a late rally from Mount Leinster, including points from Fitzpatrick and Ruairi Murphy, the gap remained at three points with five minutes left in added time.

The final moments saw Kilmacud’s defence hold firm against a last-ditch attack, securing the victory.

Scorers and line-ups

Kilmacud Crokes scorers: Ronan Hayes 0-9 (8 frees), Brian Hayes 0-3, Dara Purcell 0-2, Alex Considine 0-2, Finnian Donohoe 0-1, Conal O’Riain 0-1, Oisin O’Rorke 0-1, Sean Purcell 0-1, Brendan Kenny 0-1, Caolan Conway 0-1.

Mount Leinster Rangers scorers: Chris Nolan 1-9 (1-0 penalty, 7 frees), Donagh Murphy 0-2, Ruairi Murphy 0-2 (1 free), Fiachra Fitzpatrick 0-1, Eddie Byrne 0-1, Kevin McDonald 0-1.

Kilmacud Crokes starting fifteen: Eddie Gibbons; Brian Sheehy, Padhraic Linehan, Benn Lynch; Conal O’Riain, Mark Grogan, Cian Ó Cathasaigh; Brian Hayes, Caolan Conway; Fergal Whitely, Ronan Hayes, Finnian Donohoe; Oisin O’Rorke, Alex Considine, Dara Purcell.

Subs used: Ger Veale (for Donohoe, HT), Sean Purcell (for O’Rorke, 45), Brendan Kenny (for Conway, 53), Brendan Scanlon (for Considine, 60+1).

Mount Leinster Rangers starting fifteen: Dean Grennan; Michael Doyle, Evan Kealy, Conaill Fitzpatrick; Diarmuid Byrne, Kevin McDonald, Fiachra Fitzpatrick; Richard Coady, Joe Dundon; Donagh Murphy, Tim Brennan, Paul Coady; Chris Nolan, Ted Joyce, Eddie Byrne.

Subs used: Ruari Murphy (for Paul Coady, 39), Jon Nolan (for Ted Joyce, 45), Jamie Nolan (for Richard Coady, 49), Dean Tobin (for Joe Dundon, 55).

Referee: Eamonn Furlong (Wexford).