Killyon are rewarded for a resilient display
Longwood edged out after leading most of the way
Killyon...2-19
Longwood...0-20
One of the great qualities of any individual or team in sport is the willingness to stick with a cause no matter how hopeless that cause might seem at times.
Killyon, shorn a number of players who have starred for them in recent seasons, had plenty of reasons for feeling that their hopes of winning this SHC encounter on a beautifully prepared, pristine pitch at Boardsmill this evening were destined to be dashed - no matter how hard they tried.
They trailed most of the way yet they kept battling, kept believing and were richly rewarded for their resilience with a victory that leaves them two wins from two games played.
Both teams went into this contest on the back of noteworthy opening round performances. Something had to give but it wasn't Killyon's self belief, hunger or fitness for the battle.
They stayed strong. That's something that will greatly please their manager Finbarr O'Riordan a Corkman who was previously the team's S&C coach but who now guides their fortunes from the sideline.
Right from the get-go Killyon struggled to deal with Longwood's fierce intensity and structured play. O'Riordan's men trailed 0-9 to 0-13 at the break and only led for the first time after 50 minutes when Dylan Farrell fired to the net to edge them a point in front.
One of the foundations of their success was that they got better as the game went on - a testament to their fitness and belief. Farrell's goal had been on the radar for some time as Longwood 'keeper Mark Kennedy was called on to make a number of top drawer saves in the third quarter most notably from Farrell on 10 minutes.
Even after Farrell did eventually find the net Longwood came back to briefly take the lead but Killyon simply were not to be cast aside. They pushed on in the closing stages and sealed the win with their second goal scored by Keith Keoghan in injury time after he received a pass from Justin Coyne who, like both goalscorers, had a fine game in the red and green.
Keoghan finished with 1-7, his marksmanship from placed balls crucial in keeping his side in the hunt when Longwood were the better team - as they were for so long.
One of the features of Killyon's display was the quality points from play garnered by a number of their players including David Raleigh, Coyne, Brendan Quinn, James Connolly, Cathal McKeown and Farrell. They didn't waste much either clocking up just five wides, something else that augurs well for them.
Longwood were understandably left crestfallen by this defeat. They led for so long that few would have bet against them losing out. Not only that they played quality hurling for sustained periods. So much so that they looked destined to be the victors.
They could have done with some injection of energy near the end, fresh troops, On a warm evening every once of energy was needed.
Anto Healy once more gave an exhibition of marksmanship from placed balls while Sean Coloe slotted over five super scores with Kevin Heagney Conor Dixon, Ross Kerrigan, Ryan Moore and Karl Ennis others to contribute points.
They will be left to ponder about where it all went wrong while Killyon push on their already sturdy self belief enhanced with this win.
Killyon - Aaron Dunne; Harry Smyth, Brian O'Reilly, Jamie Smyth; Justin Coyne (0-3), Dylan Farrell (1-1), Evan Burke; Paddy Coyne, Brendan Quinn (0-2); Keith Keoghan (1-7 six frees, one 65), Adam Farrell, David Raleigh (0-3); Jacob Ryan, James Connolly (0-2), Cathal McKeown (0-1). Subs - Niall Smullen for McKeown 38m, Ciaran Dowling for Ryan 45m, Cian Douglas for Connolly 51m, Tosh Raleigh for Farrell 57m.
Longwood - Mark Kennedy; Adam Leacy, Mickey Burke, Conor Dixon; Joey Stenson, Ross Kerrigan, Brian Stagg; Sean Coloe, Bob Maguire; Kevin Heagney, Anto Healy (0-9 eight frees, one 65), Gavin Griffith; David Coloe, Damien Healy, Ryan Moore. Subs - Malachy Fisher for Leacy 25m, Karl Ennis for Moore 46m.
Referee - Derek Ryan (Na Fianna).