Kilcoo’s bid for seven-in-a-row alive and well

Kilcoo’s bid for seven-in-a-row alive and well

3 October 2018

INDOMITABLE Kilcoo withstood a thorough testing from Warrenpoint at Pairc Esler on Saturday night before booking their place in the SFC final against Burren.

Warrenpoint gave as good as they got in a hot and heavy battle, but the loss of Ryan Boyle to a red card in the 38th minute, just less than 60 seconds after an Alan Davidson goal had given them a 2-5 to 0-9 lead was a fatal blow.

Kilcoo took full advantage and picked Warrenpoint off at will to run out four-point winners.

Early scores from James McClean, Marty Devlin and a Niall Kane 45’ had Kilcoo up and running and clear by the 10th minute, but Warrenpoint upped the ante and a minute after Kane had saved a certain goal from Alan Davidson, Ross McGarry converted a penalty and then added a point to give his side a 1-1 to 0-3 lead after 14 minutes of helter-skelter football.

Kilcoo responded with consecutive points from Ceilum Doherty, Eugene Branagan and a Kane free to restore Kilcoo’s lead. McGarry cut the deficit to the minimum before two Paul Devlin frees had Kilcoo three in front again.

Aaron Joe Magee had the last say of the first half when he pointed from play to close the gap to two points, 0-8 to 1-3, as the sides went in at the break.

Points from Ryan and John Boyle at the start of the second half had the sides level before Ceilum Doherty gave Kilcoo a slender one point lead. Davidson then threw the game wide open when he netted with a superb strike, but Warrenpoint’s joy turned to despair when Ryan Boyle was red carded after picking up a second yellow.

There was no way Warrenpoint could hold on with more than 20 minutes remaining and Kilcoo ruthlessly gained the upper hand again with scores from Malachy Morgan and Kane.

A goal quickly followed from Doherty after Conor D’Arcy parried a Paul Devlin penalty into his path. Two further Kane points to a Ryan Magee score, just before he was also sent off, sealed a memorable Kilcoo win and demonstrated the depth of scoring talent at Paul McIver’s disposal and why it will take something special from Burren to stop the Magpies rewriting the record books with a first ever seven-in-a-row.   

Warrenpoint: Conor D’Arcy, Adam Lynch, Patrick Murdock, Cormac McCartan, Aron D’Arcy, John Boyle (0-1), Ryan McAleenan, Ryan Magee (0-1), Ryan Boyle (0-1), Ryan Mallon, Donagh McAleenan, Ruairi McCormack, AJ Magee (0-1), Alan Davidson (1-0), Ross McGarry (1-2, pen). Subs: Aaron Magee for McCormack, Jamie Grant for A Magee, Eoghan Byrne for Lynch.

Kilcoo: Niall Kane (0-4, 4f), Patrick Devlin, Aidan Branagan, Niall Branagan, Miceal Rooney, Aaron Branagan, Daryl Branagan, James McClean (0-1), Eugene Branagan (0-1), Jerome Johnston, JJ McLaughlin, Ceilum Doherty (1-2, 1f), Martin Devlin (0-1), Conor Laverty, Paul Devlin (0-3, 3f). Subs: Ryan Johnston for Aaron Branagan, Malachy Morgan (0-1) for Aiden Branagan, Ryan McEvoy for McClean, Gerard McEvoy for Ryan Johnston, Felim McGreevy for Morgan, Cillian Laverty for Eugene Branagan (black card).

Kilcoo 1-13

Warrenpoint 2-6

MORGAN FUELS SFC SEMI-FINAL