Donal delivers at death to secure Kilcoo final spot

24 September 2014

THIS match was akin to all out war as two of the heavyweights in Down football clashed in an entertaining spectacle at Pairc Esler on Friday night.

Referee Ciaran Branagan opted to let the game flow and number of misdemeanours were let go in the early stages and this set the pattern for the rest of the game.

The match was only 15 seconds old when Adrian Barry pounced for a Mayobridge goal. Barry used his pace to bypass the Kilcoo full back line before guiding the ball to Stephen Kane’s bottom right corner.

Then in the fourth minute the Magpies were rocked once again when a high ball was lobbed into their goalmouth.

Armagh native Kevin O’Rourke got on the end of it before offloading to the on rushing Ryan Brady who made no mistake in making it goal number two.

To their credit, Kilcoo didn’t panic. Nor did they get unsettled by Mayobridge’s gamesmanship.

Aaron Morgan had their first point with a Paul Devlin free and a 13th minute Jerome Johnston set piece making it a three point game.

The game then drew level as Morgan bundled the leather past C. J. Barr after midfielder Paul Greenan forced his way through the packed ‘Bridge rearguard.

The battle was tight for the remainder of the half as every ball was fought for with vigour and determination.

Shane O’Hare bagged a double for the ‘Bridge with Jerome Johnston and Martin Devlin tagging on scores for Kilcoo to leave the contest level at the halfway point.

A good start was crucial and it was Jim McCorry’s charges that got it.

Paul Devlin was to the fore with some fantastic point taking while substitute Donal Kane along with county star Conor Laverty latched on the other minor efforts.

Adrian Barry and Shane O’Hare soon made it a two point game on the three quarter hour mark before Conleth O’Hare sent the ‘Bridge into the lead again with their third goal of the contest.

Kilcoo were resilient and yet again they forced their way back into the contest with a Darragh O’Hanlon free and yet another fantastic strike from Paul Devlin.

The tension in Pairc Esler was extreme as the needle in the game pricked once more.

The ‘Bridge could only manage one further score through Conleth O’Hare, but Kilcoo finished strongly with a Paul Devlin free and a late goal from Donal Kane finishing the Sky Blues off.

This was tough and uncompromising football and the Magpies were just about the better team over the hour. Niall McEvoy was brilliant at full back with Niall and Daryl Branagan touch tight in the corners.

Paul Greenan kept a tight rein on Benny Coulter in midfield with Ryan Johnston’s attacking instincts particularly impressive.

Conor Laverty worked his socks off while Jerome Johnston and Paul Devlin were deadly up front. Shane McNamee, Michael Lively and Kevin McClorey were the pick of the Bridge defence with captain Shane O’Hare, Conleth O’Hare and Adrian Barry best in attack.

Kilcoo: S. Kane, D. Branagan, N. McEvoy, D. Branagan, D. O’Hanlon (0-1, 1F), Ai. Branagan, Ge. McEvoy, P. Greenan, R. Johnston, A. Morgan (1-1), C. Laverty (0-1), P. Devlin (0-5, 2F), M. Devlin (0-1), A. Devlin, J. Johnston (0-2). Subs: D. McEvoy, J. McClean, D. Kane (1-1).

Mayobridge: C. J. Barr, C. Gribben, M. Lively, K. Lynchehaun, S. McNamee, C. Garvey, K. McClorey, B. Coulter, J. Barr, S. O’Hare (0-3, 1 45), C. O’Hare (1-1), A. Barry (1-1), C. Gallagher, K. O’Rourke, R. Brady (1-0). Subs: C. Quinn, C. Fitzpatrick.

Kilcoo 2-12

Mayobridge 3-5

DOWN SFC SEMI-FINAL

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