Trebles all round for Kilcoo kings

Trebles all round for Kilcoo kings

8 October 2014

THREE is the magic number.

Jim McCorry’s marvellous Magpie’s swept aside the challenge of Burren to make it a treble of Down SFC’s.

The game was lit up by a sensational display by Kilcoo star Conor Laverty.

The heroic attacker played his heart out for the hour with a mixture of trickery and unadulterated passion. His goal was a piece of art and put the icing on the cake on what was a classy performance from the holders.

The first half proved to be a tight affair with Burren guilty of not making the most of their chances.

Donal O’Hare’s 20th minute major had his team a point ahead and Conail McGovern soon put Paddy Carr’s men two clear. However, a freak goal by the hugely impressive Ryan Johnston steered the Magpies back on course.

Johnston’s looping shot looked to be going over the bar, but it changed direction when going goal ward and Cathal Murdock was helpless to prevent it crashing into his net.

A Jerome Johnston minor then had Kilcoo back in charge by two, 1-5 to 1-3.

Eamon Toner at full forward staged a mini Burren revival to draw his team back level, but a point before the whistle had the Magpies up by one at the interval.

The influence of Conor Laverty was never as evident as in the opening exchanges of the second half.

The county man pointed within seconds of the restart and this started the ball rolling for a plethora of Kilcoo conversions which seen them land 1-4 with no response.

A black card for defender Niall Branagan didn’t deter his side’s challenge and a poor goal miss from Donal O’Hare served to highlight Burren’s woes once again.

The defining moment of the game arrived in the 50th minute when Laverty struck for an absolute peach of a three pointer.

A kicked pass by James McClean was collected by Laverty in the opposition danger area. Two of the finest dummies imaginable were sold to a Burren defender and goalkeeper who were left dazed by Laverty’s taunts.

The finish to the net was ruthless and at this stage the Frank O’Hare Cup was only heading in one direction.

A less fashionable goal was converted by substitute Donal Kane late on, but it couldn’t overshadow Laverty’s previous classic.

Burren were dead and buried as Kilcoo romped home to a deserved success. Laverty was the star. His creativity knew no bounds.

Ryan Johnston, Gerard McEvoy, Darragh O’Hanlon and Jerome Johnston were the other main contributors. Stephen Kane in goal also produced some fine saves when called upon.

A weakened Burren offering had strong showings from Eamon Toner and Donal O’Hare in their attack, but too many of their players were overpowered by hungrier opposition.

Jim McCorry remarked after the game that “people need to sit up and respect this three in a row.”

He’s not far wrong. This is undoubtedly a superb coup for the Magpies. Ulster beware.

Kilcoo: S. Kane, N. Branagan, N. McEvoy, D. Branagan (0-1), D. O’Hanlon, A. Branagan, Gerard McEvoy (0-1), P. Greenan, R. Johnston (2-0), A. Morgan, M. Devlin (0-1), P. Devlin (0-4, 2f), J. Johnston (0-3), F. McGreevy, C. Laverty (1-1). Subs: J. McClean (0-1) for N. Branagan (BC), D. Kane (1-0) for F. McGreevy, Gary McEvoy for D. Branagan, S. O’Hanlon for M. Devlin, D. McEvoy for P. Greenan, A. Devlin for J Johnston.

Burren: C. Murdock, J. McGovern, G. McGovern, B. Murphy, D. Rooney, K. McKernan, Ciaran McGovern, C Toner, Conaill McGovern (0-1), P. Murdock, C. Foy, S. McArdle (0-1), S. Murdock, E. Toner (1-1), D. O’Hare (1-3, 0-3f). Subs: D. McEntee (0-1) for C. Foy, B. McKernan for P. Murdock, R. McGovern for B. Murphy.

Kilcoo 4-12

Burren 2-7

DOWN SFC FINAL