Cumann Pheadair Naofa 2-06 Kilcoo 1-13
The winter nights upstairs in Cumann Pheadair Naofa will be shortened this year with talk of what could have been and what should have been in Páirc Esler on the last Saturday in September. The participants will be hoping that come next October the long awaited return of the O’Hare Cup to Warrenpoint will be realised. Make no mistake about it this Warrenpoint team came very close to causing the biggest upset in Down Club football in the last few years. In the 11th minute of the second half, following a marvellous run from Ryan Boyle who put Alan Davidson on his way to score one of the finest goals seen in Páirc Esler since the days of Paddy Doherty and Sean O Neill, the tantalising scent of victory wafted in the nostrils of the ‘Point supporters. The tragedy was that it got no chance to linger, Ryan Boyle was given a second yellow card following a tackle on the receiver of the Kilcoo kick out and he had to make his way to the bench. Fifteen men might have done the business but fourteen against fifteen, many ‘Point people would say sixteen, was never going to bring home the bacon.
The opening minutes of the first half were evenly contested as both teams sized each other up, it wasn’t until the 5th minute when Paul Devlin from Kilcoo won a free that the first point was scored this was followed in the 8th minute by a converted free at least 50 yards from goal by the Kilcoo ‘keeper Niall Kane, the first of five points he scored from the dead ball during the match. Kilcoo’s full forward, Martin Devlin, scored a fine point in the 10th minute to leave them 0-03 ahead with Warrenpoint yet to score. Just as we were wondering would the’Point ever spring into action Alan Davidson had a shot on goal which was stopped by Kane and shortly after that, Ryan Magee using his great strength and skill broke through the final defence line and was bundled over in the square giving the Blues a penalty. Ross Mc Garry made no mistake and the sides were level. Two minutes later Ross now in flying form scored a fine point from almost 50 yards out and the Blues were a point in front. Kilcoo rallied with a well taken score from Ceilum Doherty, a super shot from the middle of the field from Eugene Brannigan and another free from Niall Kane left Kilcoo two ahead on the 24th minute. By this time Ryan Johnston had replaced the injured Aaron Brannigan and Malachy Morgan came on for Aidan Brannigan. Ross stepped up to score a second super point from play leaving just one between the sides. Two minutes later Paul Devlin converted another free and on the 29th minute Aaron Joe Magee making his way in from the left hand side had a fine shot from 35 yards out to put the minimum between the sides once again. In added time following a Warrenpoint kick out Paddy Murdock was adjudged to have fouled the ball and Kilcoo were awarded a free 30 yards out straight in front of the Warrenpoint goal. To this scribe it seemed a most harsh decision as Paddy was being bundled at the time and the ball seemed to hit off another ‘Point played before he recovered it. Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth Paul Devlin slotted it over to give Kilcoo a two point lead at half time.
In the first half Warrenpoint were the physically stronger of the two teams with Kilcoo going to ground with almost every Warrenpoint challenge but the dividend from the frees they were awarded was high, five of their first half scores coming from frees. Warrenpoint played well particularly in mid-field and at the back and while Ross took all that came his way the forwards might on a perfect night have converted two or three other chances.
After the ten minute break Warrenpoint and the officials returned to the field to commence the second half. They waited and waited and Warrenpoint began a warm up to relieve the boredom eventually Kilcoo did show but one of their number still had to tie his laces in the middle of the field before the game could resume.
The warm up must have done wonders for Warrenpoint for they started the second half winning the throw in and following a blazing run, Ryan Boyle sent the ball over the bar 20 seconds after the restart. For the next ten minutes Warrenpoint were dominant, with the full back line doing tremendous work when Kilcoo threatened. Davidson had two chances one that went narrowly wide, Ross Mc Garry sent a free wide and Jerome Johnston had a wide for Kilkoo and in the 36th minute John Boyle, who played well throughout levelled the match with a glorious point from the 50 yard line. A minute later Ceilum Doherty converted yet another Kilcoo free. Then in the 41st minute Alan Davidson found the top right hand corner of the net to put the’ Point two in the lead. The seeds of Warrenpoint’s demise were sown a few minutes earlier when Ryan Boyle and Ryan Johnston received a yellow card each for an off the ball embroilment, whether justified or not it stood and when the second yellow came he was off. While Warrenpoint battled on their challenge was effectively over from that point on.
The Point needed to end every possession with a score and avoid giving away a goal but it proved to be too tall an order. Ryan Mc Evoy replaced James Mc Clane for Kilcoo and on the 45th minute Malachy Morgan scored from play leaving one point between the sides. Niall Kane scored his fourth free to level the match on the 47th minute. Three minutes later disaster struck for Warrenpoint when they conceded a penalty.
There can be no disputing the penalty but just after it was awarded Ryan Johnston already on a yellow card, felled the ‘Point goalkeeper with the most card deserving action of the evening and while it was seen by every ‘Point supporter and every neutral in the crowd it went unobserved by the referee, the umpires and the linesmen. At least one would hope it was unobserved because no action was taken. The Kilcoo management however did take action and promptly replaced Ryan Johnston with Gerard Mc Evoy.
Paul Devlin took the penalty and D’Arcy saved but Ceilum Doherty was alert and crashed the ball to the net putting Kilcoo three points ahead. Kilcoo’s opportunity to go for a magnificent seven championships in a row was at hand.
Warrenpoint introduced fresh legs with Arron Magee replacing Ruairí Mc Cormack, Jamie Grant replacing Aaron Joe Magee and Eoghan Byrne coming on for Adam Lynch. While Kilcoo replaced Malachy Morgan with Feilim Mc Greevy. In the 57th minute Niall Kane scored his fourth point of the day from another free. Entering added time Aaron Magee reduced the Kilcoo lead to three with a fine point. Eugene Brannigan ‘took a black card for the team’ and was replaced by Cillian Lavery.
In what seemed a 50/50 ball the ‘Point back was penalised and Kilcoo awarded another free , it proved too much for Ryan Magee who was dismissed on receipt of a second yellow card following an exchange of pleasantries with the referee. Niall Morgan made his way up to convert the free and on the kick out the game was over.
The Blues can be proud of the way they performed it was their best of the year, better discipline even in the face of puzzling decisions by the referee and mind games that are now unfortunately a feature of some games, accompanied by more incisive forward play will be key to future success.
KIlcoo needed all of their considerable experience and never say die attitude to pull through in this semi-final, the most intriguing championship clash to date.
Kilcoo Scores: Niall Kane 0-05, Ceilum Doherty 1-02, Eugene Brannigan 0-01, James Mc Clane 0-01, Martin Devlin 0-01, Paul Devlin 0-03.
Warrenpoint Scores: Ross Mc Garry 1-02, Alan Davidson 1-00, John Boyle 0-01, Ryan Magee 0-01, Ryan Boyle 0-01, Aaron Joe Magee 0-01.
