It’s treble time for Kilclief club

12 July 2011

KILCLIEF produced a blistering final quarter, scoring six unanswered points, to overcome Carryduff in the county Division 3 final at a cold and blustery Bright on Sunday.

The Strangford club have now completed a magnificent treble adding the league Division 3 title to the IFC and IHC crowns won earlier in the season.

In a closely fought encounter Kilclief deserved the honours. They were the more compact side, played as a unit, made and took some excellent scores and had in corner forward Ciaran Sloan a marksman of exceptional quality who scored seven of their points, four of them from play.

He got good assistance in attack from Richie Kerr and Ruairi Sharvin while Fintan Conway was prominent at midfield with Liam Woods, Donnie Ritchie and Conor Hynds outstanding in defence.

Carryduff fought hard throughout with James McKernan, Chris O’Neill and John McKinley best in defence while Johnny Henry worked had at midfield. In attack Barry O’Neill, Michael Ennis and Conal Earley were best.

Kilclief had the better of the opening quarter and led by 0-3 to 0-1 with two pointed frees by Ciaran Sloan and one from play by Karl Shields.

Carryduff settled and took the lead with points from Conal Earley, Johnny Henry, John McFlynn and Barry O’Neill. Three Ciaran Sloan points in the five minutes before half time had Kilclief back in front but Carryduff fought back with points from Barry O’Neill and Cian Slevin, whose goal-bound effort went over the bar to leave the sides level at 0-6 each at half time.

Kilclief went two points ahead within six minutes of the restart through Richie Kerr and a Ciaran Sloan free but Carryduff fought back to level through Conal Earley and Cian Slevin.

But those were their last scores as Kilclief moved up a gear. Two points from Ricky Kerr, one each from Ruairi Sharvin and Ciaran Sloan, as well as scores from substitutes Ciaran Polly and Martin Craig steered Kilclief to a famous victory.

Kilclief: J. Swail; C. Hynds, L. Woods, A. Fitzsimons; Ryan Kerr, D. Ritchie, A. McCann; F. Conway, K. Shields (0-1); R. Sharvin (0-1), D. Curran, J. Hanvey; O. Curran, Richie Kerr (0-3), C. Sloan (0-7, 0-3 frees). Subs: M. Craig (0-1) for Shields (50), K. Polly (0-1) for O. Curran (50).

Carryduff: C. Lavery; S. Flynn, J. McKernan, M. Morris; C. McCullough, C. O’Neill, R. McKay; T. McMahon, J. Henry (0-1); B. O’Neill (0-2), R. Lawlor, M. Ennis; C. Earley (0-2), C. Slevin (0-2), J. McFlynn (0-1). Subs: R. O’Neill for Lawlor (45), C. Cassidy for McKay 45), C. Beattie for T. McMahon (49)

Referee: O. Burke (Bright).

Kilclief 0-14

Carryduff 0-8

DIVISION 3 FINAL

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder