Magpies fly into Ulster decider

Magpies fly into Ulster decider

16 November 2016

ONLY the might of Slaughtneil stand in the way of Kilcoo and a historic Ulster club success.

Kilcoo manager Paul McIver has called on his players to rewrite the history books in Sunday week’s Ulster club SFC final against their Derry opponents.

The five-in-a-row Down champions are seeking their first provincial crown after losing the 2012 final to Crossmaglen.

“You have to do the business,” McIver said after the Magpies crushed Maghery in Sunday’s semi-final.

“Nobody will remember us in 10 years’ time if we lose this final. We are there and there on merit.

“We’ve been through some big battles and we’ll give it one more big push in the final and see where it takes us, but we have one hell of a challenge.

“They won the Ulster club two years ago so we know what’s in front of us,” he added.

The Magpies were 1/4 with the bookies to topple Maghery and they didn’t disappoint.

The Armagh side were way off the level required and Kilcoo’s supreme conditioning really shone through.

Aidan Forker’s sending off just before half-time affected Maghery’s chances, but in the truth the signs were ominous well before that.

McIver’s charges took a 0-5 to 0-1 lead with scores coming from Eugene Branagan, Ryan Johnston, Celium Doherty and a brace from Paul Devlin.

Conor Mackle had given Maghery the lead early on, but it was short-lived.

Another couple of frees from Devlin and an open play contribution from his brother Martin continued to push Kilcoo further into the ascendancy.

Ryan Johnston showed electric pace to power through for Kilcoo’s first goal before Forker got the road for making illegal contact with Niall Branagan.

Maghery’s woes continued after the break as Doherty and Conor Laverty worked numerous short hand passes with the former palming to the net for goal number two.

A purple patch from the Armagh champions ensued with the Forker’s, Seamus, Niall and Stefan, all combining to give their side four points.

It was all downhill for Shane McConville’s boys after this. Kilcoo showed insatiable desire and hunger to completely annihilate their opponents.

Doherty and sub Gary McEvoy teed up another sub JJ McLoughlin to find the net for Kilcoo’s third.

McEvoy and Doherty were involved in the third and final goal a few minutes later as McEvoy’s shot came back off keeper Montgomery with the devilish Doherty on hand to palm the leather goalwards.

The Magpies sauntered through the final nine minutes with Ryan Johnston bagging a stunning minor.

Maghery were dead and buried by this stage and completely wilted.

Kilcoo’s running from deep was superb and in Daryl Branagan and his brother Niall they had the top two defenders on show.

James McClean was strong and resourceful at midfield, while the magnificent Conor Laverty was integral to the attack, winning numerous frees and linked play with great aplomb. Ryan Johnston and Celium Doherty were also extremely dangerous.

Kilcoo are on the brink. There is a feeling that this is their year. Slaughtneil beware.

Kilcoo: N Kane; N McEvoy, D O’Hanlon, N Branagan; D Branagan, E Branagan (0-1), Aaron Branagan; J McClean, F McGreevy; C Doherty (2-1), A Morgan (0-1), R Johnston (1-3); M Devlin (0-1), Paul Devlin (0-4, 3f), C Laverty. 

Subs: D Kane (0-1f), Gary McEvoy, JJ McLoughlin (1-0), Gerard McEvoy (0-1f), N Morgan, Patrick Devlin.

Maghery: J Montgomery; K Nugent, O Lappin, G Campbell; D Lavery, C Higgins, N Forker (0-1); J Lavery, B Crealey (0-1); E Scullion, C Mackle (0-2), Stefan Forker (0-4, 2f); R Lappin (0-1), A Forker (0-2f), S Cusack. 

Subs: S Fox, Seamus Forker (0-1f), P Forker, S Tennyson, J Lavery.

Kilcoo 4-13

Maghery 0-12

ULSTER CLUB SFC SEMI-FINAL