Kildorrery narrowly lose out

Gabriel Rangers 0-11 Kildorrery 1-7 Gabriel Rangers had a one point win over Kildorrery in the McCarthy Insurance Co Div 6 FL encounter at Kildorrery on Saturday evening. This was an entertaining game with the same sides meeting in the opening round Co IAFC.

Mark Cronin opened the scoring from a free in the 2nd minute. Sean Watson levelled from a free. Rangers hit a purple patch causing a lot of problems to the Kildorrery defence who conceded a number of frees. Keith O'Driscoll pointed two frees with Mark Cronin (free) opening up a lead of 0-4 to 0-1. Kildorrery had their 2nd point in the 12th minute when Ian Butler worked well for Cathal Harrington who pointed.

An improved Kildorrery did well for the rest of the half. James Keating pointed after good play by the impressive Luke Keating and Cathal Harrington. In the 21st minute the 'Hill' forced level when Cathal Harrington placed Luke Keating - 0-4 each. The Keating brothers, James and Luke, combined for the latter to edge Kildorrery ahead. Good play by Sean Kelleher and Luke Nolan saw Mark Cronin kick a neat point.

Kildorrery had two wides and then Mark Cronin pointed. At the other end, Cathal O'Sullivan made a vital interception from Sean Kelleher. At half-time the winners led 0-6 to 0-5.

On the resumption, the Carbery side had three points in a row from Sean Kelleher as they moved 0-9 to 0-5 clear. Padraig Flynn had a good point for Kildorrery after combined play by Luke Keating and Kieran Hurley. Paddy O'Driscoll pointed for the Carbery side. James Regan punched a point after a five-man attack as Gabriel Rangers moved 0-11 to 0-7 ahead entering the closing moments.

In injury time the Keating brothers and Padraig Flynn worked well for Pierce Pigott who goaled. Deep in injury time Kildorrery came close to snatching a draw, a vital block down by Luke Nolan denied them the winning point that was followed by the final whistle.

In this Co IFL, Gabriel Rangers have full points from their 3 games played, while Kildorrery are still in search of their first win.

Kildorrery: Darren Caplice, PJ Keating, Ian Butler, Cathal O'Sullivan, Sean Cunningham, Will Fouhy, Timmy O'Sullivan, James Keating 0-1, Kieran Hurley, Pierce Pigott 1-0, Luke Keating 0-3, Cathal Harrington 0-1, Sean Watson 0-1f, Peter O'Brien, David Kelly. Subs: Padraig O'Flynn for PJ Keating, Padraig Harrington (0-1) for David Kelly.

Referee: Denis Motherway (Ballygiblin).