SHC: First win for unbeaten Killyon
July 24, 2016
Killyon's Keith Keoghan
Killyon finished strong to see off understrength Kilmessan in this entertaining Ted Murtagh SHC Group A fixture at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening.
Killyon ........ 1-16
Kilmessan ...... 0-15
Second on the bill, this a had more exciting finale than its predecessor as the outcome was in some doubt until Keith Keoghan landed a 65-metre free in stoppage time.
It was the first time that Killyon had led by more than one goal during the course of the game.
As with the opener, the team favoured by the breeze in the second-half triumphed.
Killyon landed four unanswered points from the 55th minute. But for some wayward shooting, they might have posted their first win of the campaign with a bit more to spare.
Keoghan scooped the scoring plaudits with 0-10. What proved to be the game-turning score arrived in the 32nd minute when Stefan Kelly goaled.
That levelled matters for the second time, 1-9 to 0-12. Despite the absence of a some players through suspension and holidays, Kilmessan regained the lead on two further occasions.
Kilmessan led for the final time, 0-15 to 1-11, midway through the second-half when Steven Clynch landed a 65.
That score was quickly countered by a fine Adam Gannon score from distance to tie the scores for the penultimate time. The sides were level six times (five after the break).
A significant impact on the outcome was Killyon's use of wing-forward Calvin Ryan as a sweeper.
Killian Canavan went close to getting a second goal for Killyon in the 53rd minute, when the scores were tied (1-13 to 0-16). Keoghan was wide the subsequent 65 but Killyon's resilience was rewarded following draws with Longwood and Kildalkey.
Kilmessan's bid to reach the knockout stage will resume against Kildalkey in round four when Killyon face Trim.
Wind-assisted and playing towards the town goal, Kilmessan - with wins over Navan O'Mahonys and Longwood - had the better of things early on despite falling behing to an early Keith Keoghan free.
Steven Clynch was the main marksman for the men in blue who moved 0-4 to 0-1 ahead after 10 minutes and stayed there for the remainder of the half.
Keith Keoghan matched Clynch's six first-half points and kept Killyon in contention.
A Sean Doyle point made it 0-8 to 0-4 with 20 minutes gone. A Malcolm Doyle effort in five minutes later maintained that margin.
Points from Keogan (free) and Clayton Keegan saw Killyon cut the deficit to two points by half time, 0-9 to 0-11.
Killyon - Stephen Quinn; Andy Feeney, Brian Perry, Brendan Quinn; Thomas Raleigh, Ray McKeown, David Kennedy; Clayton Keegan (0-1), Keith Keoghan (0-10, 6fs, 1 65); Killian Canavan, Ray Massey (0-2), Calvin Ryan; David Raleigh (0-1), Adam Gannon (0-1), Stefan Kelly (1-1). Subs - Christopher Dunne for D Raleigh (42), Adam Farrell for Canavan (59).
Kilmessan - Sean Power; Paddy McGovern, Paul O'Brien, Padraig Maguire; Martin Horan, Shane Brennan, Declan Smith; Padraig Burke, Marty Mulhall (0-1); Steven Clynch (0-9, 5fs 2 65s), Malcolm Doyle (0-1), Sean Doyle (0-3); Eoin Marsh (0-1), Mark Munnelly, Charles Keena. Subs - Peter Farrell for Keena (41), Mark Brennan for Munnelly (46), Kevin O'Reilly for (50)
Referee - Bernard Heaney (Clann na nGael)
