Although conditions were less than ideal, the large crowd in Spa were treated to a tense, exciting game of football with neighbours Kilcummin. With just a point separating the teams for most of the added ten minutes of injury time, Spa held out for the win and the valuable two county league points.

Mikey O'Shea and Noel Duggan kicked early points for Kilcummin before two pointed frees from Mike Stam O'Donoghue were quickly followed by the first Spa goal in the 8th minute, Dan O'Donoghue kicking a long ball in to David Spillane who finished to the net. Matt Keane replied for Kilcummin before a brilliant Dan O'Donoghue effort curled between the posts. Kieran Murphy and Mike Foley exchanged points and at the end of the first quarter, Spa led 1-4 to 0-4.

Kilcummin were dangerous in attack and a Kieran Murphy goal shot hit the side netting before Shane McSweeney buried the ball in the Spa net to level the game. Kilcummin began to dominate the play and followed on with points from Noel Duggan (3), Philip Casey and Gary O'Leary as Dan O'Donoghue pointed a final Spa score before the break. At half time we trailed 1-5 to 1-9.

Noel Duggan was on target with a pointed free early in the second half, but Spa kicked two goals in as many minutes from Ryan O'Carroll and Shane Cronin to edge the home side in front again at 3-5 to 1-10. Mike Stam O'Donoghue (3) and Cormac Cronin extended that lead, but Kilcummin swiftly responded with three points from Noel Duggan (2) and Matt Keane to put two between the sides as injury time approached.

James Devane pulled off a super save, but with several stoppages during the second half, there was ten minutes of injury time yet to come. Noel Duggan pointed for Kilcummin to reduce the gap once more to just a point. The game was very stop-start again for the final few minutes, and with constant pressure from Kilcummin, Spa struggled to get the ball forward. The final Spa score came from David Spillane deep in injury time to again increase the Spa lead to two points.

Kilcummin battled right to the final minute and a 14-yard free by Noel Duggan was sent between the posts, so again a point separated teams as the 70th minute approached. There was time for one more Kilcummin attack, but great defending by Spa turned the ball over and the final whistle blew - the game finishing Spa 3-10 Kilcummin 1-15.

Spa are away to Na Gaeil at 2pm next Sunday June 16th in the next round.

Spa Team: James Devane, Eoghan Cronin, Brian Devane, Brian Lynch, Bryan Russell, Dan O'Donoghue(0-2), Ciaran Spillane, Shane Cronin (1-0), Michael McCarthy, Ryan O'Carroll (1-0), Michael O'Donoghue (0-5), Niall McCarthy, Cormac Cronin, Michael Foley(0-1), David Spillane (1-2). Subs: Andrew Garnett, Shane Fenton

Kilcummin Team: Brendan Kealy, Sean Brosnan, Philip Casey (0-1), Donal Maher, James Nagle, Damien O’Leary, Mikey O'Shea (0-1), Kevin Gorman, Kieran Murphy (0-1), Shane McSweeney (1-0), Gary O’Leary (0-1), Noel Duggan (0-9), Matt Keane (0-2), Oscar O’Connor, Enda O’Sullivan. Subs: Paul O'Shea

Referee: James Brosnan (Currow)