Teconnaught bow out

TECONNAUGHT’S dream of a run in Ulster was put to bed by a Killeeshil outfit who were marginally the better team over the hour.

Tyrone representatives at this level are notoriously strong, but Teconnaught did Down proud as they threw off the shackles of the underdog and very nearly dumped the favourites out.

It didn’t start well for the home team as they were 0-5 to 0-1 down after nine minutes. Damien Small, Shane Mallon, Rory McCann and a double from Gary Reilly contributed to the Killeeshil cause.

Ciaran Carville had Teconnaught’s reply as they tried to recover from a horrid start. Ciaran O’Neill put the Tyrone men five clear before Carville took control of the game and blasted a double in quick succession to bring a goal in it with 19 minutes gone.

Conan Russell and Rory McCann then traded scores before the Killeeshil goalkeeper, Ciaran Reilly, made a superb stop on his line to put the ball out for a 45’.

Russell swerved over the set piece and Conor Heath then converted as Teconnaught fought back from a disastrous opening to go in trailing by a point at half-time.

The second half burst to live early on and within seconds Conan Russell had Teconnaught level pegging. Then came the turning point.

Teconnaught got a penalty ,but they failed to capitalise on it as Reilly pulled off another fine stop from Danny Morgan’s tame effort.

Shane Mallon then tapped over a free as Killeeshil regained the lead, but on the three quarter hour mark Russell drew it level once again.

The unstoppable Ciaran Carville then administered the finishing touches as Teconnaught edged back in front with 13 minutes to go.

The tension levels were now rising and defences were most definitely on top.

With five minutes remaining Killeeshil pegged Teconnaught back.

Patrick McMullan getting the score. The Down side were beginning to run out of steam and Killeeshil’s greater experience saw them tag on another two scores from Shane Mallon which ensured their passage through to a semi-final date with Milford of Donegal.

Teconnaught were brave throughout and they came very close to causing a massive upset. Their efforts throughout were of the highest order and on another day it all might have been so different.

Teconnaught scorers: C. Carville (0-4), C. Russell (0-4), C. Heath (0-1).

Killeeshil scorers: S. Mallon (0-4), G. Reilly (0-2), R. McCann (0-2), D. Small (0-1), C. O’Neill (0-1), P. McMullan

(0-1).

Teconnaught 0-9

Killeeshil (Tyrone) 0-11

ULSTER JFC QUARTER-FINAL

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder