First away win puts O’Connells into promoti
O’CONNELLS KILKERLEY EMMETS 3-12 1-12
O’CONNELLS picked up their first away win when they had six points to spare over Kilkerley Emmets on Friday evening.
Tadhg McEnaney got the opening point of the game for the home side but the visitors replied with their first goal from Sean Connolly. Two minutes later Conlon got their second goal and from the resulting kick out the ball was blocked by Connolly who then passed to Conlon and he laid it off to Quigley for their third goal of the game after seven minutes.
Shane Lennon pointed two frees to reduce the margin and the sides shared the next four points to leave the score 3-2 to 0-5 with ten minutes to go in the half. The Bellingham team finished the half stronger and points from Quigley, Conlon and an excellent 45 from Connolly left the score at half time 3-5 to 0-5 in favour of the visitors.
Lennon got the first point of the second half but Conlon replied for the O’Connells. Conal McEnaney put over a great 45 for the home side and three more points from Dan McKeown and a brace from Tadhg McEnaney reduced the deficit to five. Conlon put his team six in front but the Emmets went straight down the field and a cross field ball from Sean Hand found substitute Ciaran McGlynn and he shot to the net to leave three between the teams at 3-7 to 1-10 with just over ten minutes remaining.
The Bellingham boys steadied the ship when they landed the next three points from Conor McGill, Dean Stanfield and Conlon to put the margin at six again. Halfback Cillian Kampes pulled one back for the home side but a brilliant 45 from Quigley and he landed another free a few minutes later just about sealed the victory for the O’Connells.
Tadhg McEnaney got the last point of the game in injury time but it’s the Bellingham team that move on to ten points with their first away win in the league.