Kinvara 2-13………….Beagh 2-10
Kinvara continued their good start to the championship with this deserving win over neighbours Beagh in Kenny Park, Athenry this evening. Never an easy one, and with Beagh being the form team, this result will be viewed as a surprise to neutrals, a setback for Beagh, and a good sign for Kinvara. We fell three points behind with 10 mins to go, we never paniced, and ended up the stronger side.
Kinvara did their ‘usual’ at the start of this game with their first score being a goal. A pass in by David Huban found Conor Kavanagh, and he turned and struck to the back of the net. Unlike the Clarinbridge game we only hit the net once in the first half, but unlike the Clarinbridge game also, we struck over 7 first half points, with ones from play from Dara Smith, Peter Mahon, Ger Mahon, Cathal Curtin and Cathal Connolly. The Gantley brothers Joe and Rory were also causing plenty of problems for our backs, and when Shane Kavanagh switched to fullback on Joe, it seems to stem the tide. That was before Joe Gantley bore down on goal, and with a combination of Alan Leechs hook and Colm Callinans super save, the ball was blocked. But not far, it broke again for Gantley and again Colm Callinan made a massive save from point blank range, but unfortunately it fell for the oncoming forward who struck home. Disappointing the cover wasnt there espically after Colm’s double save. Halftime, Kinvara 1-7, Beagh 1-5.
The first bit of the second half was tit for tat with Kinvara exchanging points with Beagh. Most of these coming from the frees of David Huban, and a long range effort from Shane Kavanagh. Halfway through, and with Kinvra up by two points, Beagh struck. They scored two frees, and then when things were level, they took advantage of loose marking and struck a goal. Advantage Beagh or so it seems. But a minute later Kinvara were level. A long free in by Colm Callinan was batted out, but David Huban dived and struck the ball into the corner of the net. Kinvara followed this with a couple of points from Davids frees. Beagh replied with a point, before Dara Smith popped over his second from play. Colm Callinan had another good save to deny Beagh a late equalising goal, but Kinvara survived for a deserving win.
Credit to all players who gave it their all. Some players know that although they did ok, that they will be tougher games ahead where their performances will have to be upped. Difficult to single out individual players, but I think special mention must go to Shane Kavanagh, Ger Mahon and Colm Callanan for their outstanding displays. Forwards will have to continue their improving ways and get both more efficient and lethal.
Next game is Killimordaly next weekend. This is a potential banana skin for us, with Killimordaly now knowing that if they beat us, that they can then look towards trying to qualify in their last game v Clarinbridge, rather then relegation worries. It wont be easy and this game will be a lot tighter that most would expect. Group wide open now!
Kinvara team:
Colm Callanan, Alan Leech, Brian Carroll, Shane Quinn, Ger Mahon 0-1, Shane Kavanagh (0-1f), Jonathon Kavanagh, Aidan Moylan, Paul Keane, David Huban 1-6 (0-5f), Cathal Connolly 0-1, Cathal Curtin 0-1, Dara Smith 0-2, Conor Kavanagh1-0, Niall Curtin. Subs: Peter Mahon 0-1 for P. Keane.
Beagh team:
Kevin O’Grady, Damien Landers, Kieran Diviney, Pat Diviney, Enda Tuohey, Adrian Diviney, Michael Geaghan, Eamon Skehill, Jamie Diviney, Jonathon Morris, Kevin Keehan, Rory Gantley, Padraig Landers, Joe Gantley, Ricky Kent.
Ref. L. Fay.
