Kilcoo retain crown with super display

14 December 2011

KILCOO turned in a massive second half of attacking football to retain their SFL Division 1 crown with a most impressive victory over Mayobridge in Pairc Esler, Newry, on Friday night.

While the ‘Bridge were missing some of their regular stars, including Benny Coulter, who did come on as second half substitute, and Noel Sexton, they made little impression on this rampant Kilcoo combination. They held Mayobridge to two second half points, scored by second half substitutes Coulter and Kelan Gallagher late in the game.

Mayobridge played their best football in the first half and thanks to a goal from Ronan Sexton midway through the half, they were only a point behind.

However, when Paul Devlin, the star of the game, put Conor Laverty through for Kilcoo’s first goal three minutes from half-time it was the score that really set up the holders for a strong second half.

In the strong Kilcoo defence the half back line of Niall Morgan, Sean O’Hanlon and Gerard McAvoy were outstanding with Aidan Brannigan prominent in the full back line.

Sean Devlin and Paul Greenan held sway at midfield, especially in the second half, while in attack the half forward line of Paul Devlin, Donal Kane and Anthony Devlin was most effective, assisted by Conor Laverty.

Mayobridge, who fielded a weakened side, electing to give several of their younger players a start, had strong defenders in Shane McNamee, Michael Lively and Cathal Killen while Jamie Barr and Keith Quinn fought hard at midfield.

Up front the best work came from Conor Garvey, Ronan Sexton and Con O’Hare, but, truthfully, they were given few scoring chances.

Kilcoo attacked from the start and Paul Devlin with two pointed frees set them on their way. Con O’Hare and Sean Devlin exchanged points before Ronan Sexton struck for the Mayobridge goal midway through the half. Kilcoo hit back with two points from Paul Devlin and one from Jerome Johnston to lead by 0-6 to 1-2 with ten minutes of the first half remaining.

In a strong Kilcoo attack Anthony Devlin set up Conor Laverty for a goal and when Donal Kane added a point they were in control. Kevin McClorey and Cathal Magee had Mayobridge points, but Kilcoo led by 1-7 to 1-4 at the interval.

It was all Kilcoo in the second half. Points flowed at regular intervals from Paul and Sean Devlin, Phelim McGreevy, Conor Laverty, Donal Kane and Niall McAvoy as they led by 1-15 to 1-4 with seven minutes remaining. Mayobridge did manage points from substitutes Coulter and Gallagher, but Kilcoo had the last say with a goal from Dermot McLaughlin two minutes from time.

Kilcoo: S. Kane, A. Brannigan, R. Morgan, N. Brannigan, N. Morgan, S. O’Hanlon, Gerard McAvoy, S. Devlin (0-3), P. Greenan, P. Greenan, P. Devlin (0-5 0-3 frees), D. Kane (0-2), A. Devlin, J. Johnston (0-1), C. Laverty (1-2), Gary McAvoy. Subs: D. O’Hanlon for Johnston, D. McLaughlin (1-0) for D. Kane, P. McGreevy (0-2) for Morgan, A. Brogan for Gerard McAvoy, N. McAvoy for Gary McAvoy.

Mayobridge: L. Coulter, A. Barry, B. Rooney, S. McNamee, C. Killen, M. Lively, K. McClorey (0-1), J. Barr, K. Quinn ((0-1), C. Garvey, C. Magee (0-1), C. O’Hare (0-1), R. Sexton (1-0), K. O’Rourke, R. Brady. Subs: B. Coulter (0-1) for Barr, C. Gallagher (0-1) for O’Rourke, E. Woods for Magee, N. Sexton for Rooney.

Referee: G. Corrigan (Castlewellan).

Kilcoo 2-16

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