Big away win for Kilcoole
Goosebank men get the better of Donard-The Glen
KILCOOLE 2-12 DONARD-THE GLEN 0-10
KILCOOLE took the spoils in the opening round of the Arklow Bay Junior ‘C’ Football Championship on their journey into the west on Thursday evening last.
The east coast side were far more productive in front of the posts with their chances as the home side were off target on far too many occasions given the amount of possession and chances they had.
Kilcoole went to the well four times in the opening quarter and landed four scores, with taking your chances turned out to be the difference here between the two sides.
Paddy Toomey’s side hit the ground running when Des Mann opened the scoring with a pointed free inside the first minute for the home side. The west side were cutting through the Kilcoole defence, but landed three bad wides for their troubles. Jordan Murray levelled matters with a smashing point in the eighth minute with their first attack of the evening for the east coast side after great play by Pat Woods.
The home side landed another three wides as Toomey’s troops cursed their luck. Kilcoole broke up the field and a Chris Cahill thunderbolt was brilliantly tipped around the post from a full stretched save by Enda Walshe.
Conor Scullion put the visitor’s ahead with a sensational long-range point to conclude the first quarter.
Donard were building attack after attack but must have left their scoring boots in the dressing room before the game as another three chances went abegging. Kilcoole were more clinical with their shooting chances and increased the lead with a brace of points from Jason Walsh, four shots at points, four points registered for Kilcoole.
Yet again, Enda Walshe saved a Jason Walsh goal bound shot to keep the Glen side team in the game. Moments later, Kilcoole landed their first major after Gary Coady picked up possession in midfield and made a penetrating run and laid off to Jordan Murray who shook the net with 25 on the clock.
Donard finally replied with a Des Mann pointed free and a sweet point from the boot of Shane Eager.
However, Kilcoole tagged on a brace of points as the half-time whistle sounded with the score reading 0-5 to 1-6 in favour of Kilcoole.
Tommy Dwyer pointed for the home side on the restart but Kilcoole replied with a brace of points to increase the lead again. A brace of points by Des Mann and a long-range point by Nicky Donovan left three points in it, closing out the third quarter.
Kilcoole raided up the field again with Jordan Murray splitting the defence right open and he landed his second major of the evening with another clinical finish after great build up play from Pat Woods and Darren Burke.
The home side again wasted a trio of chances with some poor shot selection, before Eddie Flynn pointed what was to be Donard’s last score of the game in the 23rd minute. Wing back James Scullion landed the score of the match with a beast before Barry Doyle closed out the game with a point.
Scorers - Donard-The Glen: Des Mann 0-5 (3f), Tommy Dwyer 0-2, Shane Eager 0-1, Nicky Donovan 0-01, Eddie Flynn 0-01.
Kilcoole: Jordan Murray 2-03, Jason Walshe 0-04 (3f), Jim Keddy 0-1, Shane Evans 0-01, James Scullion 0-1, Conor Scullion 0-1, Barry Doyle 0-1