From the archive: Leaguers win 1991 IFC

GAA

Coming into the 1991 season, Killeshandra Leaguers were determined to get their hands on the intermediate crown. Many of the side had been on board when they defeated Cuchulainns by a point to win the same title five years earlier.

They came through convincingly in the semi-final against the 1994 finalists Belturbet and in the final they faced a seasoned, durable and tough Munterconnaught side who had come through three games against Drung and two against Cootehill in the semi-final.

In the preview to the final, under the heading “Thriller In Store”, on these pages, Killeshandra were given a tentative vote but the never-say-die Munchies were compared to Meath, who had come through the four-game epic against Dublin earlier that year.

In the end, Killeshandra won a hard-fought final by three points, 0-9 to 0-6.

“A slippery ball and a swirling wind did not help matters but Killeshandra braved all to record a hard-earned three-point victory over a gallant Munterconnaught team,” read the Anglo-Celt’s report.

“There were jubilant scenes after the game as the Killeshandra captain, Sean Feeney, raised the cup aloft.

“Killeshandra did all their good attacking work in the first half and went in leading at the interval by 0-6 to 0-1. This included three wonder points from county star Stephen King.

“Killeshandra were also out in front as far as the wides tally was concerned, recording seven as opposed to Munterconnaught’s three.

“Even though Killeshandra went in with a cushion of five points at half-time, it was evident that Munterconnaught would mount a second-half rally. True to form, Munterconnaught fought their way back into contention, thanks to the majestic play of Jim Gilsenan.

“He scored three points and initiated a litany of onslaughts on the Killeshandra goal.

“However, the Killeshandra defence stood resolute and Stephen King averted real danger on a number of occasions with high fielding under his own crossbar.”

Conor Flanagan opened the scoring before King sent over a “mighty point” following a pass from Coman Flanagan. Tom Downes then scored the first of his two points, which was punched over by Munterconnaught goalkeeper Enda Brady.

King added another but there was no more scoring in the eight minutes before half-time which saw some scrappy play and heavy tackling.

“Killeshandra were first to score in the second half when Francie McKiernan raced through the middle to shoot an inspirational point” but two excellent scores in quick succession from Gilsenan and one from impressive sub Gabriel O’Dwyer cut the gap.

Good work from full-forward Cyril O’Reilly saw him pick out Enda Yore to make it 0-7 to 0-5 entering the last 10 minutes.

“Defending for all they were worth, the Killeshandra defence got the ball out quickly to Tom Downes and the midfielder advanced in open space, some 20 metres, before belting over a spectacular point with his unique kicking style.”

A brilliant fetch from a foot above the crossbar by King denied Gilsenan and Conor Flanagan shot the final score of the game on the stroke of full-time.

The Celt were full of praise for the winners.

“Goalkeeper Patrick Duffy had a very sound game and brought off some very timely saves.

“The full-back line was the essence of soundness, Martin McKiernan, Sean Feeney and Sean McGearty was the rock on which the Munterconnaught forwards perished.

“The Fitzpatrick brothers, Ronan and Ciaran, together with Conor Flanagan marked very closely right through. Consequently the various permutations that made up the Munterconnaught half-forward line over the hour had little room to manufacture scoring opportunities.

“Stephen King reigned supreme in the first half and although he did not get as much possession in the middle of the field in the second half, he was back defending with great effectiveness right to the end.

“Tom Downes gave solid assistance and took his scores well. Up front, Francie McKiernan played a tigerish game right through and gave the opposing defence a torrid time on occasions. The other star of the forward line was Coman Flanagan at full-forward. His pace, intelligent positioning and ball winning ability was a decided advantage to Killeshandra. Kenneth McKiernan also impressed and was prepared to beat and run at defenders.”

Regarding the vanquished Ryefield men, the report said: “The Munterconnaught defence tried everything they knew to thwart their opposite numbers. They certainly did not lack determination but they were outwitted on some crucial occasions.

“Seamus Kiernan at centre half-back endeavoured to spur his team on to greater efforts at every opportunity with spectacular interceptions.

“Ollie Stanley, Fintan O’Reilly and Mark Carroll played their hearts out but the tide went against them.

“Jim Gilsenan had an outstanding game in the middle of the field and I’ll be that he will be called in for a trial on the Cavan senior panel.

“John O’Reilly tried his best but things did not happen for him on the day.”

The report added that Cyril O’Reilly “gave it everything and John McCabe at centre half-forward caught the eye on occasions.”

Munterconnaught would subsequently drop down to junior ranks but their efforts were rewarded when they won the Junior Championship three years later.

Killeshandra later won the Junior Championship in 2007 and another Intermediate Championship in 2013 before going on to reach a Senior Championship semi-final.

Killeshandra: P Duffy, M McKiernan, S Feeney (capt), S McGearty, R Fitzpatrick, C Fitzpatrick, C Flanagan, S King, T Downes, O Fay, F McKiernan, K McKiernan, M Murphy, C Flanagan, P McGearty

Subs: R Flanagan, D Feeney

Munterconnaught: E Brady, P Lynch, O Stanley, F O’Reilly, M Carroll, S Kiernan, D Hetherton, J GGilsenan, J O’Reilly, E Yore, J McCabe, P Gillick, V Yore, C O’Reilly, P McCabe

Subs: G O’Dwyer, V O’Connell, J Fitzsimons

Main pic: The Killeshandra team who won the Intermediate Football Championship in 1991. Front (from left): Joe Brady, Coaran McGovern, Tom Gray, Finbarr O’Reilly, Bernard Rogers, Philip O’Reilly. Second row: Ronan Flanagan, Martin McKiernan, Conor Flanagan, Stephen King, Pat McGearty, Sean Feeney (capt), Ollie Fay, Fergal O’Reilly, Michael Murphy, Ciaran Fitzpatrick.Back: Declan Feeney, Emmet Shannon, Sean McGearty, Alan Brady, Junior McKiernan, Patrick Duffy, Tom Downes (player-manager), Ronan Fitzpatrick, Coman Flanagan, Kenneth O’Connor.