PARAGON BAR JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
Killeevan 1-15, Drumhowan 2-9.
A strong second half performance saw Killeevan come from being seven points down at one stage in the first half to taking victory by three points in this exciting, action packed junior championship game in Castleblayney on Sunday afternoon last. As a contest this game was in the balance all through and produced probably the best championship football of the weekend between two evenly match teams who put in a great work rate and produced some excellent football in the process. The game to threw up a number of brilliant individual performances and none more so than Ciaran Quigley at corner back for Killeevan who was often the rock on which Drumhowan chances perished and Dermot Lynch in attack whose wily skills caused the Drumhowan defence no end of problems. Veteran Ian Larmer led by example all through and chipped over a number of excellent points from frees while Vincent Martin at centre back also put in a great effort. For Drumhowan Colm Lambe was their main threat up front but too often he lacked the support and when the supply line dried up increasingly in the second half he was often left to forage alone. The first signs of the Killeevan resurgence were seen in the final minutes of the first half when they hit four points without reply to come from being seven in arrears to just three behind a half time. In the second half Killeevan took over increasingly as they won more possession out around midfield and the goal they had been threatening came in the 10th minute when Richard Burns lashed to the Drumhowan net after good work by Dermot Lynch. A minute earlier Lynch had brought Killeevan level as they rallied strongly after a great effort from Ciaran Mooney had been finger tipped over the bar by Killeevan keeper Rory Larmer. The goal in the 10th minute put Killeevan in front for the first time and set the game up for a grandstand finish. Following that score Killeevan tagged on two further points to go five in front entering the final quarter. Drumhowan to their credit rallied strongly and when Colm Lambe was on hand to capitalise on a defensive error to hit Drumhowan’s second goal and reduce Killeevan’s lead to the minimum the fat was really in the fire. However in a nerve tingling finish Killeevan carved out the better chances with points by Dermot Lynch and substitute Jason Quigley sealing a memorable victory as they held out in a hectic finish that saw Drumhowan lay siege to the Killeevan citadel for the goal the needed to salvage the game. Killeevan now play Monaghan Harps in the semi-final while Drumhowan’s interest in this year’s junior championship is over.
Teams and Scorers: Killeevan: Rory Larmer, Ciaran Quigley, Darren Greenan, Philip Graham, Sean Clerkin, Vincent Martin, Paul O’Reilly, Declan Clerkin, Ian Larmer 0-6, Dermot Lynch 0-3, Noel Smith 0-1, Dermot Quigley 0-1, Gavin McKenna 0-1, Casement Lynch 0-2, Richard Burns 1-0. Subs: Jason Quigley 0-1 for R Burns, Mark McQuaid for V Martin, Emmet Ray for D Quigley..
Drumhowan: Michael Mooney, Gerry Woods, Gavin Sheridan, Damien Mooney, Rodney Mooney, Dermot McDermott, Kieran Deery, Damien Duffy, Christopher McGinnity 0-1, Niall Mooney, Stephen McGinnity 1-0, Stephen Connolly, Colm Lambe 1-4, James McElroy 0-1, Paul Atkinson 0-1. Subs: Martin McElroy for G Woods, Enda Mooney for K Deery, Peadar McNally for P Atkinson. Referee: Sean Gilsenan (Donaghmoyne).
