Easkey’s late show sinks arch rivals

Connacht Gold Inter C’ship Group Two – Round One Easkey 3-15 Enniscrone-Kilglass 2-16

THE SEA Blues were nearly left feeling so blue. Losing a championship game after twice surrendering an eight-point advantage is one thing; losing to your neighbours and arch-rivals while doing so is another thing altogether.

As it turned out, Kevin Duffy’s goal in time added on, one of two scores that Easkey got in additional time at the end of the thrilling second-half, gave them a two-point win over Enniscrone-Kilglass, 3-15 to 2-16, in last Saturday evening’s Battle of the West at Seamie Donegan Memorial Park.

Enniscrone-Kilglass, who reacted bravely to a six-point interval deficit and a first-half scoreless period of 20

GOAL CHANCE: Easkey’s Kevin Duffy is faced by Enniscrone-Kilglass goalkeeper Bradley Nealon during last Saturday’s thriller in west Sligo. minutes, almost plundered a late, late win – but Brian Duffy’s goal shot was blocked by Easkey substitute Brendan McGrath.

Kevin Duffy’s hat-trick – he scored 3-1 in total – and 10 points from Andrew Kilcullen should have been Easkey’s postmatch talking points, instead they were left in shock at how, at different junctures, they left the door ajar for their opponents. Enniscrone-Kilglass, who had an immense performer in Ciaran O’Dowd, scorer of 1-3, with inside forward Gavin Duffy shooting 0-7, started well and were 0-3 to 0-1 by the first-half water break.

Easkey’s water break included some home truths and they shot an unanswered 1-6 to lead 1-7 to 0-4 at halftime. Kevin Duffy netted the first of his three goals but Easkey were thankful for goalkeeper Daniel Rolston’s save at the other end that kept out Gavin Duffy’s goalbound shot.

Indeed, Easkey’s lead could have been greater at the interval but the

Geevagh 0-12, St Molaise Gaels 4-22; Ballymote 3-9, St Patrick’s 3-15; Enniscrone-Kilglass 2-16, Easkey 3-15; Bunninadden 3-11, St John’s 1-13

Eastern Harps v St Molaise Gaels; Geevagh v Ballymote; Bunninadden v Easkey; St John’s v Castleconnor

crossbar intervened to frustrate a fizzing goal attempt by Andrew Kilcullen. Despite falling eight points behind shortly after the restart, EnniscroneKilglass, now breeze-assisted, found a way back into proceedings when an Easkey turnover was punished by Ciaran O’Dowd, who netted. Brian Coleman’s point then cut the margin to four.

A brace of points from the accurate Andrew Kilcullen, added to by Kevin Duffy’s second goal, restored Easkey’s eight-point lead. Enniscrone-Kilglass, who had scored another point through

Gavin Duffy, seemed in jeopardy again. But another Easkey error led to Ciaran O’Dowd setting up Brian Coleman for a shot at goal. Daniel Rolston parried but the rebound came to Brian Duffy and the teenager’s volleyed finish made it a contest once more.

The gap was three points when the water break was called. Easkey could have been ahead by more but Joe McHugh’s goal chance was saved by Bradley Nealon and the EnniscroneKilglass goalkeeper’s team-mate, Ciaran O’Dowd, went close to a second goal from a counter-attack.

The final quarter – plus stoppage time – was tit-for-tat until EnniscroneKilglass twice went ahead in the closing stages. The second time they went in front, 2-16 to 2-14, was through points by Robert Jacob, who scored with aplomb, and Gavin Duffy.

There was one further twist as Kevin Duffy completed his hat-trick and Andrew Kilcullen added his 10th point of a throughly brilliant contest.

Easkey’s next Group Two fixture is this Sunday’s meeting with Bunninadden at Quigabar (2pm), with Enniscrone-Kilglass not in action on Sunday, September 4, when they play Bunninadden at Kilcoyne Park.

Easkey: Daniel Rolston, Ciaran Montague, Ian Barrett, Bernard Feeney, Joseph Dunphy, Niall Kilcullen, Jack Scott, Rory McHugh, Noel McGuire, Mikey Gordon (0-1), Andrew Kilcullen (0-10, 6f), Hayden Gilroy, Rossa Sloyan (0-2, 1f), Joe McHugh (0-1), Kevin Duffy (3-1)

Subs used: Emmet Lindsay, Eoghan Rua McGowan, Brendan McGrath, Emmet Brennan

Enniscrone-Kilglass: Bradley Nealon,

Cian Mulrooney (0-1), Eoghan Burke, Dara Rouse, Adam Mullaney, Josh Ellis, Brandon FitzGerald, Donal Mullaney, Nathan Hannon, Robert Jacob (0-2), Ciaran O’Dowd (1-3), Cathal Mullaney, Brian Duffy (1-0), Brian Coleman (0-3, 2 ‘mark’), Gavin Duffy (0-7, 6f)

Sub used: Mark Gordon

Referee: John Griffin