Inny Shamrocks withstand ferocious Killucan fightback

Inny Shamrocks 5-6, Killucan 3-4

Goals win games. This was the case for Inny Shamrocks, as they travelled to a breezy, cloudy and for a time drizzly Killucan last Sunday morning. There they claimed the U14 football Division 3 League title against the host club.

The Ballynacargy/Bunbrosna combination side led by eight at half-time, which became twelve with 20 minutes to go, before they withstood a strong fightback from Killucan to take the silverware.

Killucan got an ideal start to match, as Dylan Morley’s brace; the first from a free and the second off the right foot, gave the hosts a two-point cushion by the fourth minute. But they wouldn’t score again until the 41st minute. Inny Shamrocks took control from there, and after Zach Timouni fired a possible goal over the bar moments earlier, the full-forward was in again on five minutes, and nestled the ball into the goalkeeper’s right-hand corner of the net. Patrick Wallace would reward his stampeding run through the centre with a point in the 12th minute, before his midfield partner Oisin Keena calmly converted a brace of frees. Patrick Wallace slotted home a goal on the run on 26 minutes, not only rewarding Zach Timouni’s beautiful pass, but also ensuring the visitors held a 2-4 to 0-2 advantage at half-time.

Inny Shamrocks had goal number three converted only two minutes into the second-half; Oisin Keena slipped Zach Timouni who was out on his own close to goal, and the full-forward didn’t miss. Oisin Keena then scored a brilliant point from around 30 metres from the target a couple of minutes later to give the visitors a twelve point lead. It seemed like things were wrapped up, and that the damage had been done. Killucan had other ideas.

Heroic fightback

Killucan signalled their intent on 41 minutes, when Dylan Morley fired his shot into the roof of the net after a great run. This seemed to give the hosts the boost they needed, and three minutes later, an outrushing Cian Murphy was all that denied them their second goal. It would arrive with 15 minutes to go however, after PJ Coleman’s effort from distance dropped all the way into the net, and Cian Lawlor’s free two minutes later cut the gap down to five. Inny Shamrocks would fire back through Harry Brennan and a lovely goal by Thomas O’Hora, who floated the ball past Shane Carroll in the Killucan goal on 52 minutes.

Killucan again showed inspirational resilience, hitting back with Nathan Walsh forcing the ball over the line on 57 minutes, before pointing a minute after that. Inny Shamrocks sealed victory with a minute of normal time to play, as Thomas O’Hora fired in the goal to break Killucan hearts and seal a hard-earned win for the combination side.

Inny Shamrocks scorers: Zach Timouni 2-1, Thomas O’Hora, Patrick Wallace 1-2, Oisin Keena 0-2 (2 frees), Harry Brennan 0-1.

Killucan scorers: Dylan Morley 1-2 (0-1 free), Nathan Walsh 1-1, PJ Coleman 1-0, Cian Lawlor 0-1 (free).

Inny Shamrocks: Cian Murphy; Oisin Clarke, Jack Cahill, Shane Kelly; Seamus Clarke, Liam Doyle, Michael Reynolds; Oisin Keena, Patrick Wallace; Thomas O’Hora, Harry Brennan, Sam Maher; Aaron Nally, Zack Timouni, Owen Nally.

Substitutes: Ollie Raeside for Owen Nally (34), Peter Whelan for Shane Kelly (39), Thomas Cafferkey for Aaron Nally (62).

Killucan: Shane Carroll; Evan Boyle, Eoghan Heffernan, Donnacha Farrell; Ben Leavy, Cillian McGee, Micheál Stockil; James Leavy, PJ Coleman; Jayden Croash, James Monaghan, Dylan Morley; Nathan Walsh, Adam Mullen, Cian Lawlor.

Substitutes: Billy Farrell for Adam Mullen (53), Josh Carey for Donnacha Farrell (59), Caleb Mooney for Jayden Croash (62).

Referee: Jim Rock.

Examiner's Eye on the game

Man of the Match

Patrick Wallace (Inny Shamrocks). The midfielder’s runs through the centre caused havoc for Killucan all day, and he had the scores to match. His goal in the 26th minute was well earned. His midfield partner Oisin Keena was also making constant runs through the centre of the opposing defence, while notable Killucan performers were centre-back Cillian McGee, PJ Coleman in midfield, and Dylan Morley who impressed in the forward line.

Score of the Match

Oisin Keena’s point four minutes into the second-half gets the nod. There were some excellently converted goals throughout, but the Inny Shamrocks midfielder took on the shot from at least 30 metres out and it found its target impressively.

Entertainment Value - 7.5/10.