Courtesy of The Western People
TF Royal Hotel and Theatre Mayo IFC – Section 4 – Round 1
KILMAINE 1-10 ACHILL 1-5
Diarmuid Kelly in Davitt Park, Achill Sound
KILMAINE came away from Achill Sound on Saturday evening bruised, battered and limp but victorious with five points to spare over their island hosts. The margin is testament to the spirit of the Kilmaine men after they lost their star performer Joey Maloney with a leg injury at a crucial juncture. In his absence Paul Doherty stepped forward to sway the game in favour of the visitors with three unanswered points in the final 15 minutes of the game. His endeavours coupled with a well-taken goal from flying half-back Padraig McDonagh ensured Kilmaine’s victory.
The minimal margin left between the teams at half-time was an indication as to how the two sides cancelled each other out in the opening period. Achill controlled midfield through the excellent fielding of Martin Keane and Jerry Cafferkey. The Islanders forwards however, were under fierce pressure from the resolute Kilmaine defenders, forcing the only two points from Achill, by the boots of Brian Lavelle and Ciaran Needham, to be scores of the highest class. They were helped too by the fortuitous goal of Michael McNamara who reacted quickest to punch in a fumbled catch by Cafferkey.
Kilmaine on the other hand had forwards who at every turn looked to cause problems in the Achill half but were starved of possession. Suffering in midfield against the height of Cafferkey and Keane, Damien Burke and Francis Burke struggled to supply consistent ball into the Kilmaine forwards. When they did get the ball forward the men up front looked lively with Joey Maloney, in particular, in fine form, pointing two frees and kicking one from play. Jarlath McDonagh also raised the white flag with a fine point.
The sides went into the dressing room with just one point between them, Achill 1-2, Kilmaine 0-4. As the second half got underway the Achill forwards began to find spaces in the Kilmaine defence which hadn’t existed in the first and this augured well for the Islanders. Two pointed frees from Padraic Sweeney and a well taken point from Ciaran Gibbons, with only one reply from Conor Maloney, suggested the hosts would take a firm hold of proceedings.� Gibbons’ point was, however, with a further 20 minutes remaining, Achill’s last score of the match as Kilmaine went on to assume control with devastating efficiency, allowing Paul Doherty to come into his own. After Vincent McGrath got one reply for the visitors Doherty started to shine. First, he pointed the free that succeeded the injury to Maloney and then levelled matters with a clinical finish over his left shoulder.
As stoppage time began, and there was a lot of it (over six minutes), Doherty pulled his team into the lead with a second free. Achill were now on the back foot and Kilmaine made sure of the victory with a goal from Padraic McDonagh and a third free from Doherty.
SCORERS – Kilmaine: Paul Doherty 0-4 (3f), Padraic McDonagh 1-0, Joey Maloney 0-3 (2f), Conor Maloney, Vincent McGrath and Jarlath Burke 0-1 each. Achill: Michael McNamara 1-0, Padraic Sweeney 0-2f, Ciaran Needham, Brian Lavelle and Ciaran Gibbons 0-1 each.
KILMAINE: Paul Higgins; Gearoid O’Dea, Derek O’Dea, Mark O’Brien; Padraig McDonagh, Padraig O’Dea, Jarlath McDonagh; Damien Burke, Francis Burke; Conor Maloney, Paul Doherty, Tomas McDonagh; Joey Maloney, Vincent McGrath, Brian Shaughnessy. Subs: Bryan Mullin (for J Maloney), Gerard Doherty (for O’Brien).
ACHILL: Colm Gallagher; Colm English, Michael Gallagher, Michael Gallagher; Donnacha McNamara, Colm Cafferkey, Stephen Cafferkey; Martin Keane, Jerry Cafferkey; David Catigan, Ciaran Needham, Finbar Gallagher; Brian Lavelle, Padraic Sweeney, Michael McNamara. Subs: Padraic Gallagher (for Michael Gallagher), Kevin Gibbons (for Cattigan), Ronan Gibbons (for Cafferkey).
REFEREE: Peter Geraghty (Swinford)
