Shels shake off Kilmore
A STRONG first-half performance was enough for Shelmaliers to book their place in the All-County Football League Division 2 final at the expense of home side Kilmore on Sunday.
Indeed, their impressive early display meant that by the half-time whistle they led by six points, having registered 1-12, and while Kilmore rallied after the re-start the gap appeared slightly too big to overturn.
With the game averaging a score a minute for the opening ten minutes, the sides found themselves level on multiple occasions before Craig McCabe exchanged passes with Eoin O’Leary - the former side-footing low past Shane Cassidy for the opening goal.
Paddy Byrne’s kicking was on form for Kilmore.
The former county player scored two excellent minors in succession but singles from McCabe, Conor Walsh and Páraic O’Leary extended the gap to six after 20 minutes (1-8 to 0-5).
While three points from Tom Byrne (two) and Tom White had momentarily reduced the deficit for Kilmore, the Shels closed out the half looking strong.
Another McCabe brace with a Páraic O’Leary contribution ensured the half-time lead remained a large one.
The visitors noticeably struggled after the re-start. They could only manage five scores for the entire half and four of those came from McCabe frees.
It was Kilmore’s turn to dominate and by the 50th minute they had reduced the gap to one. White, Conor Moore and Daithí Moore chipped away at the deficit with minors but it was Tom Byrne, reacting quickest to tap in when Daithí Moore’s shot rebounded off of the post, who cut the gap significantly.
Just as they appeared to be on the verge of overturning the Shels, they shot themselves in the foot.
Tom Byrne was shown a red card by referee Justin Heffernan and, with this needless sending off, they lost a little momentum.
They did manage one more point, when corner-back Robbie Cousins pulled them within one in injury time, but as Shelmaliers countered with a point through Seán Keane-Carroll, time just ran out for the home side.
Shelmaliers: Graham Lawler; Andre O’Brien, James Cash, Dan Campbell; Conor Walsh (0-1), Graham Staples, Cian Manley; Eoin O’Leary (0-1), Aidan Cash; Liam Rockett, Brian Murphy, Craig Parker (0-1); Seán Keane-Carroll (0-3), Craig McCabe (1-9, 0-4 frees, 0-1 ‘45), Páraic O’Leary (0-2). Subs. - Conor O’Shaughnessy for Walsh (42), Niall Murphy for Parker (42).
Kilmore: Shane Cassidy; Robbie Cousins (0-1), Steve Cousins, Tommy Cousins; Páraic Reville, Denis Kenny, Aaron Kielthy; Conor Moore (0-1), Tom Byrne (1-2); Criostóir Reville, Daithí Moore (0-5, 3 frees), Tom White (0-4); Martin Frayne, Paddy Byrne (02), Kevin Keating. Subs. - Seán Hogan for Frayne (41), Graham Mernagh for Keating (54), Tom Kinsella for Kielthy (57).
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Blackwater).