Gowna smash-and-grab sinks Killygarry

Casey's late point secures first win

Gowna 2-12

Killygarry 2-11

Paul Fitzpatrick at Páirc Naomh Fionnáin

Gowna came up trumps when it was most needed as they struck for 1-2 in the dying minutes to claim what at one stage looked an unlikely victory against Killygarry in this SFC round three match in Cornafean.

A draw would probably have been a fair result after a game which ebbed and flowed and provided great entertainment for the spectators. Killygarry were four points up with two minutes of normal time remaining but a point from Conor Madden, a goal from sub Frank Casey and then the winner from Ryan Donohoe saw Gerry Cadden's side pick up their first win.

In the process, they condemned Danny Brady's men to a third successive narrow loss and they will now need a lot of results to go their way if they are to advance to the knock-out stages.

Early on, Gowna were much better. They were 0-3 to 0-0 up within six minutes thanks to a Cian Madden free (after a foul on Oisin Pierson), a Robbie Fitzpatrick point and one for TJ Fitzpatrick.

Killygarry got off the mark a minute later when Martin Reilly intercepted the ball in the full-back line and it was worked to Conor Smith, who blasted over, but again, Gowna responded well, Conor Madden landing a fine score, Robbie Fitzpatrick adding a free and TJ Fitzpatrick another from play either side of an Oisin Brady free.

It all changed, though, in the 24th minute. Oisin Brady and Ryan Brady combined well and worked the ball to Mattie McKenna, making his first start in a couple of seasons after injury problems, and the MacRory medallist did the rest, creating space with a side-step and slotting low to the net.

Killygarry's confidence surged and they poured forward. Ross Sheridan kicked a good left-footed score to tie it and then Conor Smith, from a tight angle, nudged them in front.

The breaks were falling Killygarry's way now as McKenna sent over another point.

Robbie Fitzpatrick replied with a free but Killygarry soon struck for their second goal when Andy O'Brien picked out McKenna with a super bass and he sent a powerful shot past Ronan Bannon.

Gowna were in deep water by now and sending out distress flares; when Conor Smith cut through the centre and pointed again, they were 2-6 to 0-7 down and glad to hear the half-time whistle which followed seconds later.

On the resumption, Killygarry, who lost Ryan Brady to a black card, went six clear when ref Martin Sexton spotted a foul off the ball and Oisin Brady converted but Gowna, as they showed against Lavey last time out, would not go down without a fight.

A short kick-out to Fionnán Brady began a slick move. Mark McKeever, who turned in a great shift in a sweeper role, cut forward and the ball was worked to Conor Madden, whose powerful shot clipped the underside of the crossbar en route to the back of the net for a spectacular goal.

Martin Reilly, influential throughout, took the fight back to Gowna with a well-taken right-footed point but again, Gowna responded well with a hat-trick of points from Cian Madden, an excellent score from the right wing sandwiched by two frees.

That made it a one-point game entering the final quarter. Oisin Brady, of strong Gowna stock himself, pointed well under pressure after Killygarry patiently recycled the ball to make it 2-9 to 1-10 before Martin Reilly intercepted a kick-out and fed Daniel Talbot, who fisted over to put three between them again.

And, when McKenna and Smith combined to release sub Jack Cosgrove for a well-taken point on 56 minutes, it seemed that the Crubany-based side had ridden out the storm and would pick up their first victory.

It was Gowna, though, who seized the initiative. An outstanding left-footed point from Conor Madden got them going again and they should have had a goal soon afterwards when the elder Madden squared to youngster Tiernan but he couldn't keep his shot on target.

Still, they kept coming and they were rewarded when a high ball was broken down to Frank Casey, who belted home from close range to tie the game.

Killygarry created a couple of chances, with Oisin Brady missing a tricky free on the wing, and in one last throw of the dice, Gowna conjured the winner when Conor Madden released Ryan Donohoe and he held his nerve to hook in the clincher from along the end-line on the left.