Kildimo Pallaskenry clinch County Cup in first year back in the Senior Ranks

The City side claimed the first piece of silverware on offer this year in the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Friday evening.

Kildimo Pallaskenry were full value for a 1-19 to 2-11 win over Garryspillane in the County Cup decider.

It is a first piece of silverware in the top tier for KP who were crowned Premier Intermediate champions 12 months ago.

With both sides picking up a win and a loss in the group stages, KP were quickest out of the blocks, Barry O’Connell striking over and Darren O’Connell cooly finishing to the net inside the opening 70 seconds.

Garryspillane hit back with a couple but three on the bounce from Kyle Hayes had them 1-4 to 0-2 clear after seven minutes.

At the first waterbreak, the city side led by 1-6 to 0-5.

In the second quarter, with conditions poor underfoot, the sides were guilty of unforced errors. The bouncers had it back within two approaching the half with O’Connell’s point giving KP a three point advantage at the short whistle.

Yet, just two minutes into the second half and Garryspillane were three clear. Firstly, Calum Sheahan managed to bundle the ball past John Chawke in the KP goal to level proceedings, less than a minute after the restart.

Thirty seconds later and Sheahan had his second, agains bundling the ball into the net to give Garryspillane their first lead of the day.

But with the final waterbreak called, KP had drawn level, Shaun Barry’s free leaving it at 1-13 to 2-10 heading into the final watrebreak.

From here KP. were dominant with O’Connell hitting over three in a row to take control of proceedings. Garryspillane offered little resistance as the City side won out by five in the end to seal a memorable rookie year in the senior ranks.