Five alive hopes are on course

Five alive hopes are on course

31 August 2016

KILCOO were made to work for victory at Pairc Esler on Sunday night when Warrenpoint gave them a run for their money.

However, Kilcoo, without ever being anywhere near their best, had too much firepower on display and a 55th minute screamer from Darragh O’Hanlon put a tin hat on proceedings.

Ceilum Doherty gave Kilcoo a second minute lead, but Warrenpoint responded with a similar score from Ryan Boyle. Doherty and Paul Og Carty exchanged points before Conor Laverty edged Kilcoo into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead after 12 minutes.

The impressive Donagh McAleenan brought the sides level and James Heaney had the temerity to actually give Warrenpoint a 15th minute lead when he pointed from play.

This reversal was like a red rag to a bull as Kilcoo pulled out all the stops and Darragh O’Hanlon brought the sides level with a converted free.

Cillian Laverty was then on hand to steer the ball past Gary McMahon after the Warrenpoint custodian produced heroics to keep out a shot from Conor Laverty.

Further points from Cillian Laverty and Sean O’Hanlon gave Kilcoo a 1-6 to 0-4 lead by the 26th minute, but Warrenpoint had the last say of the half with Ryan Mallon registering a fine score to leave four points in it at the break.

Paul Devlin and Ryan Boyle exchanged points at the start of the second half as did Ryan Magee and Marty Devlin and Donagh McAleenan and Aaron Branagan as Kilcoo maintained a 1-9 to 0-8 lead midway through the second half.

Donagh McAleenan and Doherty continued the tit-for-tat scores before Gary McEvoy extended Kilcoo’s lead to five points by the 70th minute. 

Another Doherty point was quickly followed by a blockbuster of a goal from Darragh O’Hanlon as Kilcoo surged 2-12 to 0-9 ahead.

Warrenpoint’s goose was now well and truly cooked and although Ross McGarry finally managed to convert a free. Gary McEvoy completed the scoring with a Kilcoo point from play.

Kilcoo: N Kane, P Devlin, Aidan Branagan, D O’Hanlon (1-1), N McEvoy, D Branagan, N Branagan, S O’Hanlon (0-1), Aaron Branagan (0-1), C Doherty (0-4), P Devlin (0-1), Cillian Laverty (1-1), Conor Laverty (0-1), M Devlin (0-1), J McClean. Subs: F McGreevy for S O’Hanlon, E Branagan for Cillian Laverty, Gary McEvoy (0-2) for N McEvoy, Gerard McEvoy for Aaron Branagan, N Morgan for P Devlin,

Warrenpoint: G McMahon, R McAleenan, P Murdock, S Gallagher, R Boyle (0-2), J Boyle, R Magee (0-1), Ciaran McCartan, P Og Carty (0-1), R Mallon (0-1), Cormac McCartan, J Murchan, D McAleenan (0-3), J Heaney (0-1), R McGarry (0-1). Subs: O Henry for Carty, M O’Hare for P Murdock (black card), M Teague for Henry, A D’Arcy for Murchan, R Cowan for Heaney, F Aiken for Magee (black card).

Kilcoo 2-13

Warrenpoint 0-10

MORGAN FUELS SFC Q/FINAL