Late goal decisive as Killucan battle past gritty St Mary’s

Killucan 1-14, St Mary's, Rochfortbridge 1-7

By Connla McCarthy

Killucan fought their way over the line on a wet, cloudy and mild Thursday evening, as they hosted St Mary's, Rochfortbridge in a gripping Minor Football League Division 2 decider.

The teams were deadlocked at half-time and both had their periods of dominance in the second-half, until Jayden Hill’s goal in the 55th minute won it for the hosts, in what was a fiercely-contested, physical and enjoyable encounter.

From early on, it seemed that both full-forwards would have a crucial role to play. Both were on free-kicking duty, but it was Dean Geraghty of Killucan who would score the opening point after just 35 seconds of the game had elapsed. St Mary's first score was a goal on six minutes; after Larry Gavin was deemed fouled, Jack Carroll stepped up to hit the penalty centrally, and Killucan goalkeeper Tyler Flynn’s left hand wasn’t enough to keep it out.

Donnacha Briody would score a lovely brace for the hosts, while Eoin McGrath also joined Jayden Hill in the scores. Darragh Weblin would point for St Mary's with 15 minutes gone, but the last say went to Nathan Hall for the hosts, who cut into the centre to score a brilliant two-pointer to leave the teams level at half-time, 0-7 to 1-4.

Killucan gain grip

Killucan laid the foundations for victory within the first 16 minutes of the second-half. After Jayden Hill’s point after 33 minutes, Cormac McKeogh let fly from 40 metres out to land a fantastic score four minutes later that raised the orange flag. Dylan Dixon and Ciaran Farrell would add to the tally, which put the hosts five clear after 46 minutes. It could have been more with Dylan Dixon’s effort, as his effort was shot over the crossbar from a one-on-one opportunity.

St Mary's would fire back on 49 minutes when Jack Carroll curled in a lovely two-pointed free to leave a goal between them. After the full-forward added a free five minutes later, the visitors were eyeing up a possible revival. But with five minutes of normal time to go, the Rochfortbridge men suffered a serious blow to their comeback efforts, one which they failed to recover from.

Jayden Hill pounced on Dylan Dixon’s shot on goal off the post to tap the ball into the net, restoring the five point cushion. Eoin McGrath and Ciaran Farrell would add further scores to ensure the league title went to Killucan.

Scorers - Killucan: Jayden Hill 1-5 (0-4frees), Cormac McKeogh (1two-pointer), Ciaran Farrell and Eoin McGrath 0-2 each, Dylan Dixon, Donnacha Briody and Dean Geraghty 0-1 each.

St Mary's Rochfortbridge: Jack Carroll 1-4 (1-0penalty, 0-2frees, 1two-pointer free), Nathan Hall 0-2 (1two-pointer), Darragh Weblin 0-1.

Killucan: Tyler Flynn; Brian Longe, Michael Taggart, Cian McKeogh; Ronan Lawlor, Aaron Flanagan, Brooklin Greville; Aran Glynn, Cormac McKeogh; Dylan Dixon, Ciaran Farrell, Donnacha Briody; Eoin McGrath, Jayden Hill, Dean Geraghty.

Substitutes: Cillian Farrell for Cian McKeogh (37), James Duff for Dean Geraghty, Luke Wallace for Eoin McGrath and Oran Smith for Brian Longe (61).

St Mary's Rochfortbridge: Cormac Maher; Cathal Tone, Dylan Mulvin, Evan Phelan; Colm Forde, Jason Gavin, Sean Corrigan; Pierce Fox, Padraig Keogh; Aidan Keogh, Nathan Hall, Larry Gavin; Darragh Weblin, Jack Carroll, Ruairí Keogh.

Substitutes: Liam Weblin for Ronan Lawlor (half-time), Harry Tone for Ruairí Keogh (46), Joseph Conneely for Dylan Mulvin (51), Mikey Henry for Cathal Tone (56), Dylan Dowling for Aidan Keogh (60).

Referee: Paul McCaughey (Milltown).