Early goals sink Kilconly

Kilkerrin/Clonberne/Killererin 2-6

Kilconly 1-7

Eanna O’Reilly at Tuam Stadium

KILKERRIN/Clonberne/Killererin claimed the North Board U19 B football title in Tuam Stadium on Saturdan, after coming through a testing encounter against Kilconly.

John Wilson’s team had to withstand a great second half comeback from a battling Kilconly side, who just ran out of time in the end. Nevertheless, Kilkerrin/Clonberne/Killererin were the more clinical side and were deserving winners on the day.

Kilconly opened the scoring with a pointed free from the lively David Prendergast after four minutes. Kilkerrin/Clonberne/Killererin’s first score was a major one, however. A twenty-five-yard free from Keelan Wilson dipped beneath the crossbar and over the head of Kilconly ‘keeper James Ganly for a goal.

Three minutes later, from a similar position, Wilson had another free which dropped short. On this occasion, Ganly palmed the ball out, but only into the hands of the inrushing James Watts, who finished to the net. It was a dream start for Kilconly, who found themselves in the driving seat after getting two early goals.

The goals gave Kilkerrin/Clonberne/Killererin a visible shot of confidence, and they soon added two points. Darragh Lyons played a low ball into Watts, who kicked a good score over his shoulder. Two minutes later, Wilson pointed a free from 30 yards to make it 2-2 to 0-1.

Kilconly’s second score came shortly before the water break, with Conor Dunleavy sending over a fine point, after a pass from Paul Ronan. However, the second quarter was also dominated by Kilkerrin/Clonberne/Killererin, who outscored their opponents by 0-3 to 0-1.

Diarmuid Mullin sent over an impressive point, before a well worked move involving Sean Donoghue and Darragh Healy set up Joe Kelly, who added another score. Sean Donoghue was proving to be an effective target man at full forward, and he drew a foul which was converted by Wilson to make it 2-5 to 0-2.

At the other end, Jonathan Mannion earned a free for Kilconly, which Prendergast pointed to reduce the margin before half time. However, it looked like Kilconly had a big mountain to climb at the interval. They appeared to lack confidence in front of goal, during a first half in which they kicked seven wides.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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