All Whyte on the night for Kilrossanty on the night

One of the most exciting games in this year’s county senior football championship was fought out at Fraher Field on Sunday evening last when Kilrossanty advanced to the last four of this year’s County Senior Football Championship with a one point win over An Rinn in the third of this year’s finals.

The outcome of this game was in doubt right to the finish. At the end of the game neutrals at the ground would have been happy for either side to advance to the last four, and even if the sizeable attendance had to sit through another twenty minutes, pushing back the start of the second game a little few if any could have complained.

Leaving the ground just before 9pm much of the talk amongst those that had seen the two games played was that this game was the better of the two games played on the evening. Many were in agreement that while Kilrossanty are a good side, this was a game that An Rinn lost more than Kilrossanty won.

At the three quarter way mark in the game An Rinn lead 2-7 to 1-5 and it looked as if they were going to seal their passage to the last four of the competition when Fergal Ó Ceallaigh found himself with a good chance in front of goal but he found himself with too much time on his hand and instead of simply tapping the ball to the net he blasted it and as a result it ballooned over the crossbar.

A minute later An Rinn again found themselves with another good chance for a green flag to be waved but Darren Mulhearne made a fantastic save again from Fearghal Ó Ceallaigh.

But if leaving the ground there was talk of An Rinn loosing this game there was also talk of Paul Whyte.

The talented Kilrossanty man is known with some time to those that have seen him play to be a special talent.

Against Ballinameela he hit 4-10 for his side and here against stronger opposition he again hit a very impressive tally of 2-8 for his side.

The first half of this game proved to be a low scoring affair.

An Rinn had the first chance of note when Fearghal Ó Cuirrín hit the base of the Kilrossanty post with Darren Mulhearne beaten on two minutes

Kilrossanty opened the scoring seconds later when a Joey Veale effort from out the field was broken in front of goal by Pa Cunningham and Paul Whyte was on hand to finish to the net.

Liam Ó Lonáin hit a brace of points and Corey De Róiste and Fearghal Ó Ceallaigh hit one each by the 19^th minute to give their side a one point lead, but they were to suffer a blow just four minutes later when the influential Liam Ó Lonáin was replaced after he sustained an injury.

Paul Whyte from a free levelled matters on 24 only for Jamie de Barún to level matters once more three minutes later, but the sides went to the dressing rooms all square after Paul Whyte put over another free a minute from time.

An Rinn hit the first of their goals within 30 seconds of the start of the second half, the industrious Fergal Ó Ceallaigh dispatching the size five past Darren Mulhearne.

Corey de Róiste and Alan Quinn swapped scores before Paul Whyte hit a brilliant score for Kilrossanty on 40 minutes to leave just two between the teams.

But that lead soon widened. Fearghal Ó Cuirrin shot straight at Darren Mulhearne but he was in the right place to ensure that when the ball came back to him he was in the right place and this time made no mistake in rattling the net.

Corey de Róiste and Paul Whyte swapped scores from frees and then Fearghal Ó Ceallaigh had a chance for a third An Rinn goal but his effort ballooned over the crossbar.

Pa Cunningham and Fearghal Ó Cuirrin swapped scores by the 49 minute but this was to prove to be his sides last score of the game.

A brace of points between the 53 and 58 minutes from Paul Whyte made it a four point game and a minute later when he was pulled down for a penalty Paul Whyte stood over the ball and despite the best efforts of Odhrán Ó hUallachain in the An Rinn goal to put him off, Paul Whyte made no mistake in reducing the An Rinn lead to one when he blasted to the net.

Whyte levelled matters on 62 two minutes and two minutes later the same player put over a free to seal a one point victory.  

Kilrossanty: Darren Mulhearne; Barry Prendergast, Mark Prendergast, Conor Hayes; Pa Whyte, Stephen Prendergast, Killian Whelan; Osgar de Paor, Tommy Prendergast; Donal Fitzgerald, Alan Quinn, Niall Walsh; Joey Veale, Pa Cunningham, Paul Whyte. Subs: Paul Keating for Osgar de Paor (34),

Scorers: Paul Whyte 2-8 (1-0 pen, 0-6f), Pa Cunningham, Alan Quinn 0-1 each.

An Rinn: Odhrán Ó hUallachain; Cillian Ó Murchadha, Shane Ó Cuirrín, Darach Ó Cathasaigh; Jamie de Barún, Ray Ó Ceallaigh, Tadhg Ó hUallachain; Shane Ó Ceallaigh, Ferdia Ó hAodha; Fearghal Ó Ceallaigh, Corey de Róiste, Lorcán Ó Corraoin; Paddy Ó Murchadha, Ferghal Ó Cuirrín, Liam Ó Lonáin. Subs: Cian Ó Conchúir for Liam Ó Lonáin (23), Eoghan Breathnach for Fearghal Ó Ceallaigh (60), Conor MacDiarmada for Paddy Ó Murchadha (65).

Scorers: Ferghal Ó Ceallaigh 1-2, Fearghal Ó Cuirrín 1-1, Corey de Róiste 0-3 (3f), Liam Ó Lonáin 0-2, Jamie de Barún 0-1.

Referee: Tom Dee