Commercials into final: Rathcoole-side maintain impressive run

COMMERCIALS continued their impressive winning run to qualify for the Leinster Junior Hurling Final on December 10 in Wexford.

The Kilkenny champions, who were more familiar with their surroundings got off to a flying start with three points inside the first six minutes of play.

Commercials, at this stage, were finding the heavy pitch hard going and eventually got a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty and Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing’s well-taken shot just squeezed by the keeper.

Yet Black and Whites continued to pick off scores and led by five points to a goal after 20 minutes.

Commercials then made an inspired substitution when veteran Gearóid Keogh scored a magnificent goal into the town-end goal to give his side a huge lift.

However Black and Whites finished strongly and went in leading 0-8 to 2-0 at the interval.

Commercials have qualified for the final in December

The Rathcoole outfit were confident having the elements at their backs in the second half and they were level within five minutes of the restart.

Ó Dúlaing with a free and Jack Ó Keeffe peeling off his marker for a fine score to get their side of to a great start.

By the 10th minute, Black and Whites led again by two, but they would fail to score again and Commercials raised their game in particular their defence.

Commercials Michael OKeeffe, centre, and Adam McCabe contest a high ball with Jamie Byrne, Black and Whites, Kilkenny

Shane Clohessy was superb in goal and the full back line of Éanna Ó Nualláin, Ciarán Dunne and Cormac Cullinane were outstanding to keep Black and Whites at reach.

Callum Morris put in a huge performance mopping up balls and delivering quality balls into the forwards.

A point from Ó Dúlaing and a superb strike from substitute Jamie Flanagan had Commercials level again as the contest hung in the balance.

Jack O’Keeffe gave them the lead on 20 minutes, and they didn’t look back from there.

In the final 10 minutes Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing added two more points, one turning in on his right and one from a placed ball.

Commercials ended up winners by three after a hard fought and bruising battle.

Next up a Leinster Final against Horeswood from Wexford – the game is fixed for Chadwicks, Wexford Park on Saturday, December 10 at 1pm.