Kilcoole overcome St Fergal’s challenge
at Ashford a point from play to leave two points in it at the break - Kilcoole 1-5, Kilcoole 1-3.
The pace of the game was never fast but as the second half wore on it became leisurely as both teams, especially St. Fergal’s, ran out of steam.
Jordan Murray added a point from play in the first minute of the second half and the same player brought Kilcoole level with a free after six minutes.
A minute later Robert Whelan put them in the lead with a point from play. Ross Hackett added to the lead a minute later and big midfielder Garry Coady got his name on the scoresheet with a fine point from out near the sideline after 13 minutes.
Gavin Harris scored what was to be the last St. Fergals score, a point from a free after 15 minutes.
The Bray side had shot their bolt by now and Kilcoole ran out comfortable enough winners on the field of play, if not on the scoreboard.
They had a further nine wides in this half to bring their tally to 17 in total. Robert Whelan, who had a fine game in the second half, added a point after 24 minutes followed by another from Patrick Woods a minute later.
Whelan closed the scoring with a point from a free just at the end.
Kilcoole will need to be more economical with their scoring chances if they hope to progress in their competition.
St. Fergal’s were competitive for a long period until they visibly tired. They were operating from a small panel and unusually nowadays, appeared to be managed from the field of play by the players themselves. KILCOOLE SCORERS: Sean Hoctor (1-1), Robert Whelan (0-3, 1 free), Jordan Murray (0-3, 2 frees), Patrick Woods (0-2), Ross Hackett (0-1), Gary Coady (0-1). ST. FERGAL’S SCORERS: Gavin Harris (0-3, 2 frees), Ryan White (1-0), David Dixon (0-2), John O’Toole (0-1). KILCOOLE: Luke Doyle, Shane Evans, Conor O’Neill, Chris Byrne, James Toner, Jason Walsh, James Scullion, Gary Coady, Patrick Woods, Jordan Murray, Robert Whelan, Ross Hackett, Conor Scullion, Sean Hoctor, Barry Diskin. Subs. -Matt Mannix for Barry Diskin, Barry Mason for Ross Hackett, Jamie Murray for Jason Walsh. ST. FERGAL’S: John Costelloe, Colin Gormley, Robert Wasson, Matt Mackle, Aaron Kane, Stephen Jenkins, Chris Carroll, Fergus McCann, Ronan Taogh, Jack Swinburn, Gavin Harris, Ryan White, Eoin Kelly, David Dixon, Mel Linehan. Subs. - John O’Toole, Niall Clark. Black Cards - Stephen Jenkins and Gavin Harris. REFEREE: Philip Bracken.