Killucan’s first-half blitz proves too much for Tang

A clinical first-half performance laid the foundations for a comprehensive Killucan victory over Tang in a hard-hitting encounter that never hit any great heights at Shandonagh on Sunday evening.

Killucan dominated the opening half, scoring 3-11 to Tang’s 0-7, with the aid of a slight breeze, and did the majority of the damage through a lively full-forward line of Eoghan Ahearn, Sami Clarke and Devin Hill.

Seán Leech was also influential around the middle third, winning vital possession and driving Killucan forward, while Tang struggled to cope with Killucan’s intensity and were punished for a number of costly errors.

Tang improved after the break and enjoyed the majority of possession, but their inability to convert chances ultimately proved decisive. Adam Neary struck an early point before later converting a penalty, but Killucan remained comfortable and added a fourth goal late on through Leech.

The closing stages became increasingly scrappy, with a number of yellow cards issued before Tang’s John Rock was dismissed following an off-the-ball incident.

The Saffrons made the brighter start, opening up a two-point lead inside the first five minutes through Robbie Greville and Devin Hill. Tang responded nine minutes in when Adam Neary finished off a good run with a fine point from play, but Killucan soon found another gear.

Sami Clarke created the opening for their dominant spell with a turnover before embarking on a strong solo run and firing over from play.

The opening goal arrived moments later when Eoin Keyes capitalised on a sloppy Tang pass and fed Clarke, who in turn found Devin Hill. The Killucan full-forward made no mistake as he rattled the ball into the net.

Killucan continued to punish Tang’s mistakes, with Eoghan Ahearn adding a fine point after receiving possession from Leech before Clarke converted a free after Leech was fouled.

Greville then added another point before Hill followed with a score that clipped the upright on its way over.

Michael Doherty fisted over as Killucan stretched their advantage to 1-10 to 0-1 after 20 minutes. The second goal arrived soon afterwards when another Leech turnover sparked a promising Killucan attack, with Ahearn finishing clinically to the net.

Clarke added another point from a free before Tang finally began to find some joy. Aiden Burke converted a two-point free before Neary added a point from play following a good turnover by Connal McKiernan.

Any hopes of a sustained Tang comeback were quickly extinguished, however, as Killucan struck for a third goal. Ahearn supplied the pass for Hill, who finished emphatically to the back of the net and restored Killucan’s commanding advantage.

Tang finished the half positively, with Neary converting a free before Burke added another two-point free after the ball was brought forward following a Killucan infringement.

Tang could have grabbed a goal on the stroke of half-time when full-back Ronan Hanley made an excellent run forward, but his effort was superbly saved by Killucan goalkeeper David Bryan.

Killucan therefore went into the interval with a commanding 3-11 to 0-7 advantage.

Neary reduced the deficit further almost immediately after the restart, converting after Ciaran Clear won possession from the throw-in and delivered the ball into his path.

However, the game deteriorated into a scrappy affair from there, with Killucan managing just two further scores from play. They added one of those ten minutes later when Michael Doherty found Eamonn Cunneen after a good run, with Cunneen fisting over.

Tang continued to enjoy the majority of possession and had two excellent opportunities to find the net. Aiden Burke was presented with a chance after Neary floated a high ball into the square, but the Killucan defence managed to clear.

Neary then had a chance himself moments later, only for Bryan to produce another excellent save.

Tang eventually found the net following sustained pressure. John Tumelty played the ball into Burke, who was fouled inside the large rectangle, with Neary making no mistake from the resulting penalty.

Neary added a two-point free moments later to reduce the deficit, but that proved to be as close as Tang would get.

The closing stages became increasingly fractious, with late tackles and off-the-ball incidents resulting in a number of yellow cards before John Rock was shown a red card. The final action of the game produced Killucan’s fourth goal. Cunneen’s effort came back off the upright and into the hands of Leech, who made no mistake with the rebound as he fired into the net to seal a comprehensive 11-point victory.

Scorers - Killucan: D Hill 2-2, E Ahearn 1-2, S Clarke 0-4 (1 2ptf, 1f), S Leech 1-0, R Greville 0-2, M Doherty and E Cunneen 0-1 each.

Tang: A Neary 1-6 (1 2ptf, 1f), A Burke 0-4 (2 2ptf).

Killucan: David Bryan; Andrew Flood, Matthew Shaw, Luke Darby; Rory Keyes, Darren Finn, Michael Doherty; Eoin Keyes, Sean Leech; Colm McKeogh, Eamon Cunneen, Robbie Greville; Eoghan Ahearn, Sami Clarke, Devin Hill. Subs: Joseph Boyle for E Keyes (2, inj.), Cormac McKeogh for C McKeogh (46), Gary Greville for Ahearn (54).

Tang: Owen Coughlan; Andrew Gill, Ronan Hanley, Eoghan Bannon; John Rock, Connal McKiernan, Tommy Lennon; Ciaran Clear, Shane Keenan; Jack Keenan, Shane Hanley, Martin Rock; Adam Neary, John Tumelty, Aiden Burke. Subs: David Marlow for J Keenan (HT), Richard Laffan for Bannon (HT), Jason Coughlan for Lennon (43), Robert English for Clear (53).

Referee: Pat Fox (Rosemount).