Kilcoo’s search for Ulster crown gathering speed

Kilcoo’s search for Ulster crown gathering speed

2 November 2016

A CRUCIAL period midway through the third quarter saw Glenswilly throw away an opportunity to nail Kilcoo and instead contribute to their own demise.

Leading 1-6 to 0-7, the Donegal side were beginning to get on top and they nearly secured a five-point cushion only for Cahal Gallagher to slam his goal-bound shot wide.

Minutes later, Glenswilly were thrown into turmoil when Gallagher dragged Conor Laverty to the floor with a head high challenge.

The man from the Glen saw red as Darragh O’Hanlon stroked his penalty down the middle of the goal to establish a lead which Kilcoo never relinquished.

On the balance of play Kilcoo were certainly the better team. Glenswilly’s competitiveness was solely down to the presence of 2012 All-Ireland winner Michael Murphy.

The first half saw Kilcoo play the better brand of football as they broke from deep with their running game.

Glenswilly were more ponderous and at times struggled to contain wave after wave of Kilcoo attacks.

Ryan Johnston’s long range point was the best of the first half scores, with Eugene Branagan, Darragh O’Hanlon and Paul Devlin all getting in on the act as well.

Just before half-time Daryl Branagan was alleged to have fouled Farrelly in the box and Kilcoo were harshly penalised with a penalty against them.

Michael Murphy stepped up to convert to leave himself with 1-01 in the first half despite being on the receiving end of some close attention from Niall McEvoy and O’Hanlon.

Despite Glenswilly’s positive start to the second half Kilcoo were not going to be shook.

Eugene and Aaron Branagan put their bodies on the line to tighten up the Magpies’ defence, while the mercurial genius of Conor Laverty in the forward line used all his craft to earn the penalty.

Glenswilly didn’t register for the rest of the game. Physically big in stature, they began to run out of steam.

Kilcoo possessed phenomenal fitness levels as they pushed on to see the game out.

Laverty pointed with Donal Kane, Paul Devlin and Niall Kane from a 45’ rounding off the contest.

As the game moved to its conclusion Darragh O’Hanlon was knocked out after a full frontal challenge and Farrelly received his marching orders for the said incident.

On balance Kilcoo were the more deserving team. Momentum is building.

Kilcoo: N Kane (0-1, 1 ‘45), N McEvoy, D O’Hanlon (1-1, 1 pen, 1f), N Branagan, D Branagan, E Branagan (0-1), Aaron Branagan, J McClean, F McGreevy, C Doherty, A Morgan, R Johnston (0-3), M Devlin, P Devlin (0-4, 4f), Conor Laverty (0-1). Subs: D Kane (0-1), J J McLoughlin, Gerard McEvoy, Gary McEvoy, Aidan Branagan, Gerard McEvoy.

Glenswilly: J Gallagher, C Callaghan, E Ward, A McDevitt, C Gibbons, R Diver, J Gibbons, N Gallagher, C Kelly, P McFadden, C Gallagher, B Farrelly (0-1), O Crawford (0-2), M Murphy (1-2, 1 pen), G McFadden (0-1, 1f). Subs: C Bonner, L.Kelly, D.McGinley, C.McFadden, C.McMonagle.