Screeney and Gorman link up to devastating effect as Special Ks overcome Naomh Eanna

Niall McIntyre

Kilcormac Killoughey 2-22 Naomh Eanna 0-14

Adam Screeney and James Gorman linked up to tremendous effect as Kilcormac Killoughey overcame Naomh Eanna in the Leinster club quarter final.

The Wexford champions recovered from a slow start to go into the break leading by two, but a marvellous second half saw Kilcormac Killoughey complete a sixteen point turn-around which sends them bounding into the last four.

Their two man full forward line of Adam Screeney and James Gorman played a huge role in the triumph, scoring 2-10 (2-5 from play) between them.

As a survivor from their 2013 team which made it to the All-Ireland final, Gorman is at the opposite end of his career to Screeney, who is in his first year playing adult hurling.

But their understanding was evident throughout, none-more-so than eight minutes into the second half when Screeney lit his team-mate’s break before finding the bottom corner.

Gorman himself had palmed a long delivery into the net moments earlier and just like that, with the long high ball reaping dividends, this game was over. After the game, Gorman hailed Screeney and his fellow youngsters not just for their hurling ability but for their work-rate and their mindsets.

Oisin Mahon and Cillian Kiely of Kilcormac-Killoughey celebrate after the AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship quarter-final match between Naomh Éanna, Wexford, and Kilcormac-Killoughey, Offaly, at Chadwicks Wexford Park in Wexford. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

“In fairness, Adam’s always buzzing around me in that full forward line, he’s always looking for breaks and one fell perfect for him and he finished it unbelievably into the bottom corner,” said Gorman.

“Adam has come in this year, there’s a few more, the Kavanaghs, they’re not just nice hurlers though, they’ll work as hard as they can.

“Adam’s like that too. He has that buzz about him in training, he’s always asking questions, always trying to puck with the older las to get to know them.”

#GAABEO Lán Ama

Naomh Éanna 0-14
Cill Chormaic-Cill Achaidh 2-22

Tá Laoch na hImeartha bronnta ar James Gorman inniu. 👏

"We know that we have to put in the work the next two weeks."@GAA_BEO | @gaaleinster | @NaomhEannaGAA | @KK_GAA pic.twitter.com/0pmmphXq8P

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 12, 2023

“He’s sitting beside them in training. He’s not just sitting with his own friends, he wants to be involved with everyone,” added Gorman.

Meanwhile, Screeney returned the compliment to his team-mate, hailing Gorman as a team-mate.

“You know when the ball is coming in high on James Gorman, that he’s going to catch it clean or there’s going to be a break, so it’s luck of the draw then, you pick a side and go for it,” Screeney said, having made his way through crowds of autograph and selfie hunters to partake in the interview.

Kilcormac-Killoughey now advance to the semi-finals where they’ll take on the winners of O’Loughlin Gaels and Mount Leinster Rangers.

As a club that have the experience of Gorman, Conor Mahon, Conor Slevin and Damien Kilmartin, all of whom played in that 2013 All-Ireland club final, as well as the youth of the Screeneys, the Kavanaghs, Charlie Mitchell and Colin Spain, amongst others, they will prove a challenge for anyone.

Read next: