Kilmore snatch late win
EOIN COONEY managed to make the most of a loose ball and got Kilmore on the scoreboard first in this Joyces Expert Intermediate ‘A’ football championship Group B clash with St. Patrick’s in Bellefield on Sunday.
Michael O’Brien was quick to reply, however, working the ball well into his forwards where a pass from Hughie Doyle led to Richie Flood bringing matters level after three minutes.
Alan ‘Archie’ Jones availed of a free minutes later as he edged his side ahead. The very skilful Pat’s man, Ashley Tully, neatly tucked the ball behind the Kilmore goalie seconds later as he fisted a fantastic crossfield pass from Tomás Morris home.
Kilmore goalie Kevin Casey was quick to respond though, trotting out the field to take a ‘45 and sealing the deal with great confidence.
Damien Grannell was active at the other end as he claimed his side’s second point. Nonetheless, Daithí Moore quickly cancelled this out after Martin Frayne drilled a ball down his wing.
Sloppy defending from the purple and goal side led to Kilmore’s number three, Shane Cousins, securing a point after his attempt on goal hit the crossbar.
Pat’s goalie, Jack Quinn, made two incredible saves to keep his side in contention. Moore re-appeared, this time over a dead ball, to guide his club one point clear.
Alan Jones played a great anchoring role as Moore claimed another minor seconds later, and this two-point advantage saw the southern men slightly ahead at the break. As the elements got rougher in the second-half, the football got calmer. After 17 minutes, only one player per team had split the posts.
The reliable Moore stood tall for Kilmore while Tomás Morris did likewise for St. Patrick’s, both from placed balls.
Two points stood between the sides with ten minutes remaining but Damien Grannell was keen to put his side in a leading position. Morris aided him in his attempt and Grannell scored a major.
An equaliser came soon after with Moore once again accurate on a dead ball. In the dying minutes both Moore and Tom Byrne managed to get a point apiece, and those scores left Kilmore one to the better at full-time.
Kilmore: Kevin Casey (0-1 ‘45); Conor Power, Shane Cousins (0-1), Peter Shannon; Martin Frayne, Denis Kenny, Aaron Kielty; Stevie Cousins, Noel Casey; Eoin Cooney (0-1), Daithí Moore (0-5, 4 frees), Alan Jones (0-1); Aaron Goff, Tom Byrne (0-1), Mark Sinnott. Subs. - Shane Goff for Jones, Connor Moore for Cooney.
St. Patrick’s: Jack Quinn; Brian Cadigan, James Cousins, Michael Carroll; Peter Roche, Dermot O’Leary, Darryl Murphy; Tommy Dunne, Michael O’Brien; Ashley Tully (1-0), Richie Flood (0-1), Shane Finn; Tomás Morris (0-1 free), Damien Grannell (1-1), Hughie Doyle. Sub. - Tommy Morris for Dunne.
Referee: Jack Stafford (Clongeen).