Killanin up the ante after half time for easy win

Killanin 2-16

Barna 1-6

Cian O’Connell  at Pearse Stadium

KILLANIN produced a splendid second half display to secure a convincing Galway SFC win over Barna at Pearse Stadium on Saturday evening.

Trailing by two points at the interval, Killanin dominated the second period outscoring Barna by 2-12 to 0-3 when it truly mattered. Barna were rugged during a hard fought opening period, but when the action recommenced Killanin were primed for a battle and they just had too much attacking craft.

While Killanin’s conversion rate was poor at the outset – they only registered 0-4 from 13 attempts before the break – their figures improved hugely after the interval.

Johnny Heaney was immense for Killanin contributing 1-4, while Patrick Sweeney and Enda Kelly were influential too. Barna did battle, but they just couldn’t cope adequately when Killanin were in the mood.

Scores were scares early on Heaney fisted a fifth minute point, but Killanin survived a scare as Barna nearly grabbed a goal. Jason Lyons’ pass was gathered by Diarmuid McGee, but his clever effort was clawed away to safety by Killanin corner back Pierce Faherty.

The first half followed a pattern of Killanin edging in front with Barna summoning a reply, ensuring that the teams were deadlocked at 0-3 each by the 28th minute. Heaney palmed over another point as the break approached, but Barna pounced for a goal.

It was a brilliant individual strike from Lyons, who concluded a dashing solo run with an equally crisp finish. Lyons’ major nudged Barna into a 1-3 to 0-4 lead at half-time, and the issue appeared to be delicately poised.

However Killanin enjoyed a productive burst which yielded 1-4 in a crucial six minute spell.  Suddenly, Barna were in all sorts of bother and they simply didn’t have the depth or resources to stay afloat as Killanin had seized the initiative.

Patrick Sweeney banged over two points, while Ruairi Greene and Eanna Kelly also raised white flags prior to Killanin’s first goal in the 36th minute. Kelly supplied a gorgeous pass for the impressive Heaney, who was able to rattle the Barna net.

Lyons and James Gately replied with points for Barna, who only trailed by 1-8 to 1-5, but Killanin embarked on claiming another stint of utter supremacy. This was when the most telling damage was done too as Killanin struck for an unanswered 1-6 in 11 minutes to seal the deal.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.