Savage salvages draw

Savage salvages draw

12 July 2011

THE story of this U-21 championship semi-final had two key moments — a goal 50 seconds in and another goal a minute from the end.

A bitter wind blew throughout the game and the snow-capped peak of Slieve Donard, visible in the distance, showed just how cold it was.

Kilcoo won the throw-in and in the first attack Ryan Johnston unleashed a thunderbolt high to the roof of the Bryansford net.

Thereafter Bryansford nullified Kilcoo’s scoring threat until the second half. At half time Bryansford led 0-6 to 1-0.

In the remaining 29 first half minutes the Ford missed at least as many chances as they converted playing with the wind. A Danny Savage free got Bryansford off the mark and due to Neil Murray’s ninth minute point David McKibben’s pointed free levelled proceeding

Chris Clarke added a quick-fire brace of points, but Bryansford failed to capitalise on the momentum these points created and their only other score before the interval was another dead ball which David McKibben knocked over.

Bryansford began the second half with a bang and Chris Clarke got his third point from play within a couple of minutes of the restart. An excellent hooked kick from David McKibben over his right shoulder with his left foot was a fantastic point and offered a real lift.

Two Kilcoo points from brothers Paul and Martin Devlin reduced the deficit to a goal and though Danny Savage’s free reopened the four-point margin Darragh O’Hanlon reduced it to a single kick of the ball again with a pointed free.

Niall O’Higgins and Martin Devlin exchanged points, so that three minutes of stoppage time Kilcoo were three points down. J. J. McLoughlin’s point cut Bryansford’s lead to a dangerous two points.

Then with 45 seconds to go Bryansford, instead of kicking the ball into the forward line, messed about and indulged in a short passing game.

They lost possession and Kilcoo went down the pitch. The ball again came to Ryan Johnston who hit another wonderful shot to the net, this time along the sod.

Ryan Brannigan hurriedly hit a kick-out and Chris Clarke caught it brilliantly in the centre of the field. The ball was eventually worked into the forward line where a free kick was won and Danny Savage put it over the bar. Bryansford had salvaged a draw and were very fortunate to escape from this game with a replay.

Kilcoo: N. Kane, D. Brannigan, Darragh O’Hanlon (0-1 free), C. McCusker, A. Brannigan, Daithi O’Hanlon, J. J. McLoughlin (0-1), P. Devlin (0-1 free), J. McClean, Miceal Devlin, O. McClean, B. Kane, Martin Devlin (0-2), J. Johnston, R. Johnston (2-0).

Bryansford: R. Brannigan, R. McDonald, A. McDonald, M. Harbinson, R. Wells, A. Somers, D. McDonald, N. O’Higgins (0-1), C. Clarke (0-3), N. Murray (0-1), D. Savage (0-3 frees), D. Young, J. McKibben, D. McKibben (0-3, 0-2 frees), S. Brannigan.

Bryansford 0-11

Kilcoo 2-5

U-21 FC SEMI-FINAL