Published: Wednesday, 6th August, 2008 12:00pm

Cavan Intermediate Football Championship

Kill Shamrocks 1-16 Swanlinbar 2-6

SWANLINBAR were made to pay for their profligacy first time around when they went under to an improved Kill side in an absorbing IFC replay staged at Belturbet on Saturday evening last. Supporters of both camps were left to muse after the sides drew about their charges" shortcomings in failing to win out at the first time of asking.

However all belonging to Kill were pleased to acknowledge that it was Swanlinbar who were seen to miss the boat after the Shamrocks impressed in out-scoring their west Cavan opponents.

Swanlinbar played well in patches but, after throwing away a ten point lead in the drawn game, the team seemed to lose some of its self-belief when the heat was turned on last weekend.

Useful start

Kill were first out of the traps with a point from former county star Pierce McKenna after just two minutes giving the winners a useful start. Swanlinbar continued to play second fiddle as the first half gathered pace and Niall McCaffrey added two points as the Shamrocks swept forward with real intent.

Pressure on

The pressure remained on the blue and whites as the second quarter beckoned with Mark Kelly firing over another point to help catapult Kill into a comfortable 0-4 to 0-0 lead with just eleven minutes gone.

Swad busily circled the wagons and Robbie Prior belatedly opened the scoring with a point from a free. Things gradually improved for the blue and whites as Kill seemed to take their feet off the gas and this, coupled with a rejuvenation of Swad spirits, conspired to change the shape of the contest.

Swad"s countyman Mark Cunningham added another point from a free before Gearoid McKiernan took the opportunity to steal the limelight.

Brilliant goal

The strapping county minor star won the kick out in the middle of the field and ran at the Kill defence which opened up for him before blasting to the back of the net for a brilliant solo goal. McKiernan"s magic suddenly had Swad in front, 1-2 to 0-4, for the first time in the match and left Kill looking vulnerable..

As is their wont this year however, Kill showed a lot of steel and resolve in hanging in there and duly replied with points from Sean Gaffney,Conor McCaffrey and Pierce McKenna to take the lead once again in some style. In what proved to be a fine advertisement for this grade of football in the county, the pattern of the game again swung in dramatic style.

Once more Gearoid McKiernan was at the heart of matters; winning the kick out in midfield and launching a long ball into Robbie Prior. The long-time chief-attacker for Swad proceeded to make no mistake by rifling the ball to the net with some aplomb.

Kill kept their composure throughout and Pierce McKenna replied with two points from frees. Swad dug deep too and Robbie Prior and Mark Cunningham added two points to edge Swad into a 2-4 to 0-9 lead at the half-way mark.

Intent

Swad showed their ambition and determination to stay in front within seconds of the commencement of the second half with Mark Cunningham converting a free. Kill rolled up their sleeves to meet Swad"s continuing challenge though and, taking control in the midfield sector, pushed forward with renewed intent.

Messrs. McKenna and Gaffney began to dominate in the midfield sector and Conor McCaffrey benefited in particular from the increased supply. A brace of points from Mark Kelly was added to by a solitary point from McCaffrey and Pierce McKenna chipped in with another one to keep Swad against the ropes.

Swanlinbar were threading deep water at this stage and two scoreable frees were spurned to add to their woes as the final quarter advanced. As things panned out, Kill struck the killer blow in the 50th minute by goaling to leave Swad trailing by 2-5 to 1-14.

Swanlinbar were finding it hard to stay with the pac of their opponents and the booking of three of their players fairly reflected their growing sense of frustration. Kill finished with a flourish with Niall McCaffrey,Conor McCaffrey and Mark Kelly all kicking over fine points.

To their credit, Swad battled to the last and John Cunningham pulled one back which proved to be the last score of the game.

Kill - D Tiernan;J McCarey,D Foster,T J Byrne,N Foster,C McCarey,B McCarey,R Magee,Sean Gaffney,P Mckenna,M Magee,C,McCafferyN McCaffery,M Kelly Marcus Magee.

Swanlinbar - G Scollan;S Corrigan,A McGoldrick,P Prior,L Prior,D Leydon,T O"Brien,K Bannon,G McKiernan,R McBarron,P Brennan,R Prior,M Cunningham,M Curran and M Cunningham.

Subs used; D McGovern, P McManus and

J Cunningham.