Casey's late point wins it for Gowna after lacklustre game

SFC round 1

Gowna 2-8

Killygarry 0-13

Paul Fitzpatrick at Kingspan Breffni

A tremendous late point from Conor Casey secured a win for Gowna in this hard-fought championship clash at HQ.

Gowna were six points up with 18 minutes remaining but then conceded six points in a row. Crucially, though, Killygarry – who were missing Martin Reilly - couldn’t get their noses in front and weren’t helped by the fact that star forward Conor Smith went off in the closing stages, first for a blood injury and then on a black card.

Gowna completely dominated the closing minutes but almost conspired to lose as they amazingly kicked seven wides in succession from the 24th minute. Killygarry mustered one last chance but couldn’t make it count and Gowna countered, Casey finding himself in acres of space and booming over a super point from the right wing.

This was a poor game, error-ridden and lower in quality than what we saw at the same venue 24 hours earlier. Gowna came into it as favourites, having beaten Killygarry narrowly in the group stages last year claimed the recent ACFL Division 1 title in impressive fashion, seeing off Cavan Gaels in the semi-final and Crosserlough in the decider.

Killygarry’s last championship win came on August 31, 2019 when they saw off Gowna by 2-15 to 2-11; in 2020, they lost three and drew one before being eliminated in the group stage.

Conor Smith laid off for Ross Sheridan to open the scoring but Gowna took the lead with a free from Oisin Pierson – who later went off with a shoulder injury – and a right-footed score from the overlapping Mark McKeever.

Gowna’s plan was clear; they got numbers back, hunted in packs and crowded Killygarry out where possible and looked to hit their stacked forward line on the break. Killygarry didn’t help themselves with repeated unforced errors; from one – a careless flick-up – Conor Madden pounced and sent a rocket to the roof of the net to make it 1-2 to 0-1 on 14 minutes.

Conor Smith (45) and TJ Fitzpatrick (mark) traded scores before Smith won a free for Oisin Brady to knock over. After a lovely move, Ben Mooney split the posts but again, they were turned over coming out of defence and Pierson sent a sublime ball over the top for Fitzpatrick to point.

Oisin Brady won and converted a free to leave it 1-4 to 0-5 at the end of a poor first half.

TJ Fitzpatrick opened the second-half scoring; Conor Smith then fisted over after a Jack Cosgrove shot dropped short. Gowna, hunting goals all evening, then got through for one but Casey’s palmed effort was ruled out for an infringement.

From their next attack, though, they repeated the play; a great run from Casey found Pierson who squared for Cian Madden to palm in at the back post.

And when Casey, confidence up, raced clear to slot over, it was a six-point game and that seemed to be that.

Not so, however. Killygarry came roaring back and played their best football of the night, dominating on kick-outs. Two Oisin Brady frees, a great score from Smith and two excellent efforts from sub Enda Gallen dragged them back to within one and when Smith pointed on the turn, it was all square.

By now, the game had come to life. Gowna woke up and after a big fetch from Ryan Donohoe, Robbie Fitzpatrick stroked over a 45 on 51 minutes for the lead.

Four minutes later, Jack Mooney sold a dummy and floated over a fine point to tie it again but in the helter skelter closing minutes, Gowna hogged the ball. Their shooting, and decision-making, was sub-standard though and seven wides in a row kept Killygarry in the hunt.

Mattie McKenna almost won it for the Crubany men but his effort was off target; then came Casey’s intervention and moments later, the final whistle sounded. A forgettable contest but, for a resilient Gowna, a priceless two points.

Gowna: Ronan Bannon, Aaron Brady, Mark McKeever (0-1), James Madden, Cormac Brady, Conor Brady, Tiarnan Madden, Ryan Donohoe, Ryan Brady, Oisin Pierson (0-1f), Robbie Fitzpatrick (0-1, 45), Cian Madden (1-0), TJ Fitzpatrick (0-3, 1m), Conor Madden (1-0), Conor Casey (0-2)

Subs: Ryan Madden for Pierson (42 mins), Raymond Keogh for A Brady (49)

Killygarry: Patrick Galligan, Cian Reilly, Conor Connolly, Anselm Lovett, Daryll McKenna, Conor Bates, Darragh Kennedy, Mattie McKenna, Fergal Clarke, Ross Sheridan (0-1), Ben Mooney (0-1), Oisin Brady (0-4f), Jack Mooney (0-1), Conor Smith (0-4, one 45), Jack Cosgrove

Subs: Mark McDermott for Sheridan (ht), Ryan Brady for B Mooney (ht), Enda Gallen (0-2) for Cosgrove (38 mins), Darragh Gannon for Smith (50, temp, reversed 52), David Talbot for D McKenna (53), Gannon for Clarke (57)