Late Killucan surge secures victory as Delvin denied

ACFL Div 6 final: Killucan 2-21, Delvin 4-9

Killucan claimed the All County Football League Division 6 title with a six-point victory over Delvin, in sultry conditions at TEG Cusack Park on Wednesday evening.

It’s not often that hydration breaks are needed in Gaelic games, but they wisely came into use here, such was the splendid nature of the evening. Killucan’s second string side weren’t all that convincing, but they did enough to win despite leaking four goals. They took control and went seven points clear in the opening stages, and led by 1-12 to 2-4 at half-time, but Delvin produced a great recovery and briefly took the lead midway through the second half with their fourth goal before an unanswered 1-5 sealed victory for Killucan.

There is some consolation for Delvin in that they have secured back-to-back promotions in the league and, as a dual club, they are showing promising signs.

It was an entertaining contest, continuing the general trend in the various football league finals this year, which suggests that there are bright times ahead for this year’s football championships. Killucan had 1-4 on the board before Delvin awoke from their slumber: Jason Gorman rolled home the first goal after seven minutes after Conor McKeogh and Aaron Ready combined. Wing-back Joe Mulvaney kicked a fine two-pointer in that promising opening spell after corner-forward Eoin Briody got the Killucan men motoring. Delvin missed a chance when Darragh Clinton’s effort came off the upright and Eoin Carolan shot wide, but the kickout went astray and Clinton set up Carolan for an easy goal. Killucan replied with a point from centre-back Gavin Flood, meaning it was 1-5 to 1-0 at the first water break.

Delvin had greater joy in the second quarter, scoring 1-4, while Killucan notched 0-7. The latter appeared to be coasting when Jayden Hill fisted over, following Jason Gorman’s delivery in the 21st minute, at which stage they led by eight points (1-9 to 1-1). But Carolan, who had converted a tricky free from the wrong side for a right-footed kicker, lobbed ‘keeper Ciaran Kavanagh for a lovely goal to turn the game.

Patrick Clune and Clinton were both involved before Carolan’s effort nestled in the net. And John Ivory then set up Clinton for a point, leaving it 1-9 to 2-2 after 24 minutes. Midfielder Jamie Carr kicked a two-pointer as Killucan went seven clear again, while a late two-point free from Carolan left five between the teams at the interval.

Killucan struggled in the third quarter and Delvin took a sensational lead before the second water break after Darragh Clinton flicked home their fourth goal when the saffrons failed to deal with Carolan’s high delivery from a free. It left the game nicely poised, Delvin leading by 4-8 to 1-14.

Midfielder Alan Cox notched two points, while Carolan kicked a neat score after Adam Ennis and Jack Forde combined in a flowing move. And when Carolan sent the ball across the face of goal in the 42nd minute, Ennis was on hand to flick it to the Killucan net from close range.

Killucan responded after the break with a two-point free from Gavin Flood, but Delvin still led by 4-9 to 1-16 after 49 minutes. Hill’s classy point inspired a Killucan surge at this juncture - Eoin Briody, Mulvaney and Hill all following up with scores. Killucan notched their second goal in the fourth minute of added time when substitute Joey Boyle sent a long ball inside and Aaron Ready managed to finish it to the net despite being fouled by the opposing goalie.

The goal stood. If not, it was a Killucan penalty, so it mattered little as a consequence and merely rubber-stamped the result.

Afterwards, Keith Quinn, Westmeath County Committee secretary, presented the trophy to Jamie Carr, captain of Killucan.

Scorers - Killucan: J Hill 0-5 (1f), A Ready 1-4, J Gorman 1-1, E Briody, J Mulvaney (1 tp) and G Flood (1 tpf) 0-3 each, J Carr 0-2 (tp).

Delvin: E Carolan 2-4 (1 tpf), D Clinton 1-3, A Ennis 1-0, A Cox 0-2.

Killucan: Ciaran Kavanagh; Shane O’Malley, Graham Flood, Charlie Johnston; Aaron Flanagan, Gavin Flood, Joe Mulvaney; Jamie Carr, Conor McKeogh; Conor Leech, Jason Gorman, Michael Taggart; Jayden Hill, Aaron Ready, Eoin Briody.

Subs: Mark Doherty for Taggart (41), Ryan Murphy for Johnston (43), Joey Boyle for Carr (49), Brian Cunningham for Leech (inj., 56), Paddy Kelly for Gorman (60+1).

Delvin: Aaron Murtagh; Eddie O’Neill, Sebastian McPherson, Patrick Clune; Stephen Cassidy, Oisín Kelly, Jack Forde; Adam Ennis, Alan Cox; Luke Delaney, John Ivory, Declan McGrath; Luke Coll, Darragh Clinton, Eoin Carolan.

Subs: Dylan Duffy, Seán Hoctor and Ethan Coll for O’Neill, McGrath and Ivory (h-t), Kyle Flynn for Delaney (45), D McGrath for Kelly (inj., 52).

Referee: Michael Galvin (Tang).