Bunbrosna hit back

For long stretches of this entertaining Senior Football Championship tie played at a busy Páirc Mhic Eochagáin on Sunday evening, Killucan looked to be on course to secure the points on offer. However, they did not count on the resilience of a battling Bunbrosna side who came back from the brink, with a storming second half performance to claim a share of the spoils. While the draw means that the Blues will have to endure a relegation play-off with The Downs, the spirit attaching to thattelling comeback, will stand to them as they endeavour to save their senior status.Not for the first time, the underdogs, in this case Bunbrosna made the early running and fired over two quick points, courtesy of Finian Newman and Kevin Mitchell as Killucan settled in to the tie. Cormac Boyle, from a placed ball and Paul Greville restored parity by the sixth minute before Killucan's Alan Doyle gave his side the lead for the first time. Simon Moorhead set up Fintan Finnan for the equaliser on 13 minutes before Padraig Leavy drilled over a long distance free for his side's fourth point.A one point advantage was advanced to four when a telling pass from Cormac Boyle released Paul Greville and the fleet footed full forward outstripped the defence leaving Damien McCormack helpless. Wing back, Niall Flanagan added to Bun's misery when he sallied forward to fire over. Fintan Finnan clipped the deficit once more when he used the ancient art of a placed ball to knock over a free. That minor was negatived on 19 minutes when James Nugent was impeded and Cormac Boyle was equally as accurate.A foul on Kevin Tormey gave Fintan Finnan yet another opportunity which he duly converted but when another Bunbrosna attack broke down, Killucan swept downfield and Cormac Boyle kicked a fine point. Shane Leavy set up James Nugent to put Killucan six up with seven minutes of the half remaining and when Brian Smyth chipped in with the first of his two points, Killucan looked to be coasting. With the clock running down, Bun failed to convert a couple of decent chances withFintan Finnan, Aidan Finnan and Peter Tormey all failing to hit the target.However, they were thrown a real lifeline when, in the 32nd minute, Kevin Tormey contested a high lobbing ball from wing back, Conor Lyons. Tormey landed on the floor and referee, Michael Mannion pointed to the spot. Up stepped Kevin Mitchell and he nonchalantly drilled the ball beyond the wrong footed David Bryan. Within secons the half time whistle sounded and Bunbrosna found themselves just four adrift on a 1-9 to 1-5 scoreline.Brave stopWithin minutes of the restart, the men in saffron almost sealed the issue. A flowing move started by John Shaw, saw the ball worked through James Nugent to Paul Greville but as the bustling full forward was about to pull the trigger, Bunbrosna custodian, Damien McCormack spread himself bravely to thwart the threat. On six minutes Greville did stretch the Killucan lead and when wing back, Stephen Morley galloped forward to fist over, it looked to be their day.Credit to Bunbrosna, they refused to roll over and a succession of points from Peter Tormey, from a free and play and an excellent effort from Kevin Mitchell left just three between them approaching the final quarter. Fintan Finnan popped over a point and Bun could have stolen the lead when Finian Newman bore down on goal but blasted wide.A second goal chance presented immediately when a Aidan Finnan lineball was knocked into the path of Kevin Mitchell. The flamehaired corner forwardpowered the ball beyond the reach of David Bryan but the leather thundered back off the crossbar. All Bunbrosna had to show for their efforts was a Peter Tormey pointed free after brother, Kevin was fouled in attempting to snap up the rebound.With six minutes remaining, Killucan surrendered their lead when Aidan Finnan curled over a free from a difficult angle but that stung Ray Smyth's men into action. A short free from Brian Smyth gave Paul Greville the time and space to slot over the lead and a minute later, the provider turned poacher when Smyth stroked over a marvellous point off his right peg. It was all or nothing now for Bun but when centre back Liam Mitchell blasted wide, following a storming run, they looked to have shot their bolt.The show is never over 'til the fat lady sings and Kevin Tormey threw his side a lifeline with a minor, a minute into stoppage time. Almost from the kick out, dashing wing back, Simon Moorhead was impeded and full forward took on the responsibility. His sweetly struck effort arrowed its way towards the target and duly earned Bunbrosna a deserved draw.While it was not sufficient to make their senior status secure, it gives them the opportunity to regroup ahead of their forthcoming relegation showdown with The Downs.Scorers: Killucan - P. Greville 1-3, P. Leavy, C. Boyle and B. Smyth 0-2 each, Alan Doyle, J. Nugent, N. Flanagan and S. Morley 0-1 each. Bunbrosna - K. Mitchell 1-2, F. Finnan and P. Tormey 0-4 each, F. Newman, A. Finnan and K. Tormey 0-1 each.Killucan: David Bryan; Tony Doyle, Conor Jordan, Brendan McKeogh; Niall Flanagan, Francis Boyle, Stephen Morley; Padraig Leavy, Shane Leavy; Cormac Boyle, John Shaw, Brian Smyth; Alan Doyle, Paul Greville, James Nugent. Subs. Rory Reilly for N. Flanagan, Paul Briody for A. Doyle.Bunbrosna: Damien McCormack; Conor Newman, Noel Kiernan, Sean Walsh; Conor Lyons, Liam Mitchell, Simon Moorhead; Aidan Finnan, Niall Harte; FinianNewman, Peter Tormey, Kevin Tormey; Fintan Connaughton, Fintan Finnan, Kevin Mitchell. Sub. Kieran Murphy for N. Harte.Referee: Michael Mannion, Garrycastle.Footnote: Prior to the commencement of the game, a minute's silence was observed as a mark or respect for Maureen Walsh, Killucan who died at the weekend.