Deserved victory
break of play.
The start of the second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Kilbride creating more chances but failing to convert them.
Newcastle twice drew level through Merriman frees but a McKeon point (after a lengthy consultation between the umpires) would be the catalyst for the decisive spell in the match as Kilbride hit 1-4 without reply.
The goal arrived in the 44th minute after a run in on the covered stand touch line from McKeon. He delivered a high ball in towards the square which was plucked out of the sky by corner forward David Balfe. Balfe side stepped his man and finished low to Stephen Kelleher’s left to give Kilbride breathing space for the first time in the match.
Points followed through Martin O’Donoghue the impressive Hughie Walshe as the game was effectively put to bed in a lethal five-minute spell for Kilbride.
Newcastle battled on but in truth never really looked like getting a goal or close the gap as a couple of points on either side closed out proceedings in what was a deserved five-point win for Kilbride.
Scorers: Kilbride: Hughie Walshe 0-3, David Balfe 1-0, Niall Toolis 0-2, Martin O’Donoghue 0-2 (2F), Thomas McKeon 0-1, Neil Donoghue 0-1, Eoin Keogh 0-1, Liam McGee 0-1.
Newcastle: Warren Merriman 0-4 (3F, 1 45), Shane Clarke 0-3, Graham O’Brien 0-1, Robert O’Gara 0-1.