Killinkere flex their muscles as late goal wins it

IFC round 3

Killinkere 4-9

Drumlane 1-16

Kevin Óg Carney at Kingspan Breffni

Killinkere produced a wondrous sting in their tail as they scorched Drumlane's match-winning aspirations in a jiffy during a slow-to-the-boil FC third round contest at Kingspan Breffni.

Drumlane contributed much to what was an enjoyable championship clash and it took a Killinkere goal on the hour mark and a subsequent goal-line clearance by the winners-elect to deny them victory.

Killinkere were good value for their win though and Drumlane can have no excuses, especially given that they played with an 'extra' man for the final 13 minutes of a terrifically exciting second half.

The high-octane, exciting second half contrasted sharply with the opening moiety which saw both teams seem to play within themselves which made for a low-temp, dour and pedestrian series of stop-start exchanges redolent of a lower grade of football.

The sides shared two points in a pretty harmless sparring exercise inside the opening stages before impressive half-back Alec Sweeney gave Killinkere a huge leg-up when he goaled in the 14th minute courtesy of a great finish to the back of the net.

Killinkere kept their foot to the mat and it was the aforementioned Mooney who added to Drumlane's concerns by arrowing over a point in the 16th minute to make it 1-3 to 0-2 for the men from the east of the county.

In perfect conditions and with no breeze present worth talking about, the game proceeded to be a fluid, if rather sub-standard, affair with neither team managing to cement themselves in the driver's seat for any meaningful period.

A good solo run by the impressive Alex Sweeney through the middle saw him split the posts at the town end to make it 1-4 to 0-2. Seconds later a great incisive run by Darragh Dolan had Killinkere in retreat mode but a good save from Jake Norris ensued and in the follow up, the ball was deflected in a crowded square for a '45.

The nip and tuck nature of the play continued and a promising Drumlane move saw the speedy Dolan curl over after 28 minutes to make it 1-4 to 0-4 in favour of the Sons of O'Connell. By half-time Drumlane found themselves just two points in arrears 0-5 to 1-4 in arrears.

A goal separated the sides when a great incisive run by Shane Ryan saw him release Ciaran Flynn but despite a brave attempt by the advancing Crowe, the alert Flynn slotted home from point black range to extend Killinere's lead to two goals, 2-7 to 0-7, with 39 minutes on the clock.

Less than 90 seconds later, and after an excellent Connolly point, Killinkere again attacked with menace with Darren Smith and Mark Farrelly jnr combining to put the aforementioned Flynn through again for a third goal with 40 minutes on the clock to make it 3-7 to 0-9.

Drumlane still trailed by 0-10 to 3-9 with less than 12 minutes of actual playing time left in the game.

The Hoops needed a lift and, on cue, the nifty Dolan went on a searing run through the heart of the Killinkere defence and rifled a shot off the crossbar. In the follow-up Connolly converted a free and the mercury continued to rise.

The game then turned on its head when Darragh Dolan raced through only to be hauled down by Killinkere full-back Nathan McQuade who was subsequently shown a yellow card followed by a red card.

Darryl McGurren’s subsequent conversion from the spot-kick made it a four point game after 53 minutes.

A converted free and another two-pointer from Connolly left just the minimum between the sides by the 57th minute before Caolan McAnenna split the posts to level matters (1-15 to 3-9) two minutes later.

Killinkere countered brilliantly though when Emmet Fitzsimons passed to Damien Sexton who then fed Conall Mooney for a fine goal on the hour mark to make it 4-9 to 1-15.

Drumlane’s McAnenna doubled his points tally in the 61st minute to leave just two points separating the sides. One minute later his team-mate saw his shot ricochet high off the upright and then Philip Furlong made a great goal line clearance in the 63rd minute to deny Sexton a goal after some great approach work.

In the dying seconds, ‘keeper Norris was as safe as a house after a shot from Darragh Dolan fell short and that was that.

Killinkere: Jake Norris; Shane Ryan, Nathan McQuade, Mark Farrelly(jnr); Liam McCabe, Luke Crossan, Alex Sweeney (0-2); Jason McMahon (0-1), James Farrelly; Darren Smith (0-2, 1f), Cian McGovern (0-2, 2f), Kevin McCabe (0-1); Emmet Fitzsimons, Conall Mooney (2-1), Ciaran Flynn (2-0).

Subs; Fintan O'Connell for James Farrelly; Damien Sexton for C McGovern; Philp Furlong for M Farrelly (jnr).

Drumlane: Ciaran Crowe: John O'Dowd, Donal Monahan, Killian Freehill; Killian Tubman, Mark Maguire, Ciaran O'Brien (0-1); Michael Owens, Dane O'Dowd (0-1); Gary Tubman, Jordan Galligan, Ryan Connolly (0-8, two two ptrs, 3f); Liam Belton, Darryl McGurren (1-0, pen), Darragh Dolan (0-3).

Subs; James McCahill for K Tubman; Conor Flynn for G Tubman; Caolan McAnenna (0-2) for C Flynn; Donal Reilly for J Galligan.