Briody and McGrath excel as Killucan clinch minor league title

Killucan 3-17, Millmore Gaels 2-13

Shane King

Killucan claimed the Minor Division Two League title after a strong finish saw them pull clear of a gallant Millmore Gaels side in sweltering conditions at home.

Played on a scorching evening in Killucan as the country's heatwave continued, the conditions were far from ideal. Nevertheless, both teams produced an excellent standard of football and served up an entertaining contest that remained in the balance until the closing stages.

There was little to separate the sides during a closely fought first half, with the teams level at the interval. Millmore Gaels, however, may have felt they should have held a lead, having registered seven wides before the break.

A lengthy delay early in the second half followed a heavy collision involving Liam Gill and Jack Heffernan, with both players requiring treatment on the field before being substituted. Once play resumed, the game burst into life and remained fiercely competitive until two late Killucan goals finally settled the outcome to secure a seven-point victory.

Millmore opened the scoring with their first attack. Eoin Donoghue's goal effort rebounded off the crossbar while Niall Gaughan reacted quickest to collect possession and split the posts. Killucan responded immediately through a superb two-point score from Donnacha Briody, before Tadgh Kennedy added another point.

Harry Hughes then embarked on an excellent solo run through the centre before setting up Sam Byrne for a fine score. Killucan then replied with three unanswered points, Eoin McGrath contributing two from play while Briody converted a free to open a three-point advantage.

Millmore hit back through centre-back Louie Dillon following a patient build-up. Briody converted a '45' for the hosts before Charlie McGauran pointed a free to leave just two points between the sides at the water break.

Briody and McGauran exchanged frees on the restart before Millmore struck for the opening goal. Hughes fielded a kick-out brilliantly and supplied Tristan Duncan, who finished confidently to the net.

Millmore failed to fully capitalise on their momentum, however, with several wides proving costly. Killucan finished the half strongly and McGrath combined well with Donoghue before the latter pointed from play to leave the sides level at half-time.

Killucan made the perfect start to the second period, finding the net inside the opening minute. Tom Shaw delivered a dangerous ball into Adam Quinn, who laid it off to Briody, and the Killucan forward made no mistake from close range.

Play was then halted for ten minutes following the heavy collision involving Gill and Heffernan. Both players showed tremendous bravery in the challenge, but unfortunately suffered head injuries and were unable to continue.

When play resumed, the contest developed into an entertaining end-to-end battle. Robbie Byrne and McGrath exchanged scores before McGrath and Briody added further points from play to stretch Killucan's lead to five.

Millmore responded through Gaughan, but McGrath quickly restored the cushion with another well-taken point.

The visitors reduced the deficit to just two points when Ricky Loran and Hughes combined to create an opening for Sam Byrne, who finished clinically to the net. Luke Wallace replied for Killucan before the second water break to make it a three-point game.

Killucan began to edge clear after the restart, with Adam Quinn and Tom Shaw both raising white flags. Byrne continued to inspire Millmore as energy levels dipped, narrowly missing a goal chance before adding a point from play and converting a two-point free.

The decisive scores arrived in the closing stages. Quinn pounced on a loose ball in the square to finish to the net, and moments later Briody delivered a superb pass into McGrath, who also found the back of the net to put the result beyond doubt.

Gaughan added two late points for Millmore, but McGrath had the final word with a score from play as Killucan closed out an impressive seven-point victory.

Scorers - Killucan: D Briody 1-6 (2f, 1 2pt, 1 ‘45), E McGrath 1-6, A Quinn 1-1, T Kennedy 0-2, L Wallace and T Shaw 0-1 each.

Millmore Gaels: S Byrne 1-4 (1 2pt), N Gaughan 0-5 (1f), T Duncan 1-0, C McGauran 0-2 (2f), L Dillon and R Byrne 0-1 each.

Killucan: Tyler Flynn; Sean Ayres, Jack Heffernan, Tomás Mockler; Ronan Lawlor, Cian McKeogh, Brooklin Greville; Cian McGee, Tadgh Kennedy; Luke Wallace, Donnacha Briody, Adam Quinn; Eoin McGrath, Dean Geraghty, Oran Smith. Subs: Tom Shaw for Heffernan (32, inj.), Adam Carr for McGrath (59), Oliver Kelly for Geraghty (59).

Millmore Gaels: Adam Reynolds; Jack McDonnell, Jack Whyte, Darragh Maxwell; Kyle Creagh Dillon, Louie Dillon, Liam Mahon; Tristan Duncan, Eoin Donoghue; Sam Byrne; Harry Hughes, Charlie McGauran; Liam Gill, Ricky Loran, Niall Gaughan. Subs: Robbie Byrne for Gill (32, inj.), Shane Ahearn for Loran (55), Cathal Donoghue for E Donoghue (57), Sean Lynn for McDonnell (57).

Referee: Mickey Dan Murtagh (The Downs).