Kilmeena were back on home turf for this 4th round game against ‘table toppers’ Bohola Moy Davitts. Weatherwise, conditions were ideal for football – cloudy but dry with a light breeze.
The visitors got off to the perfect start, catching the Kilmeena rearguard out of position and scoring a goal inside the opening minute. From the resulting kick-out, Kilmeena were again under pressure and with the referees whistle not sounding in favour of the men in black and white during the early exchanges, Kilmeena just couldn’t mount a sustained attack into the Moy Davitts danger zone. Ultimately, the visitors were awarded a free-in; which they duly converted (for a point). 1 – 1 to no score in favour of the visitors with 5 minutes of play having elapsed.
Following some positional tweaking from the sideline, the Kilmeena lads slowly but surely began to find their rhythm and a fantastic point from Ian Murphy opened Kilmeena’s account. From here until half time the home side played with greater intensity and aided by a half back line that provided a solid first line of defence the men in black and white launched a number of counter attacks.
Following some great team play, Kian Moore finished the ball to the Moy Davitts net. This was followed shortly afterwards by another Kilmeena goal from the trusty boot of Chris McNally. In between both sides exchanged points, to give a half time scoreline of 2 – 3 to 1 – 5, in favour of the home team.
The scene was set for a tight second half – anyone’s game then......!!
And so it was............... Kilmeena players, numbers 2 to 7 (aided randomly by other home-side players) put in a masterful display of defending, which limited the Moy Davitts team to a goal and two points for the entire second half. In fairness the visitors didn’t make it easy either for the home side, with Kilmeena’s only scores entering the final 10 minutes of play being a goal each from Ian Murphy and Kian Moore - it was a 2 point game now. That was until Ronan O’Donnell (who put in a man-of-the-match performance), won possession around the middle of the pitch and set off on a solo-run towards the Moy Davitts goal, then delivered a perfectly timed pass to Chris McNally, who finished to the net. Kilmeena pressurised the Moy Davitts re-starts and through a combination of frees and open play, added a further 3 points to their tally.
A strong finish and deserved 8 point winning margin for the Kilmeena lads at the final whistle.
Kilmeena are away to Mayo Gaels on Tuesday 17th April, 2018
The panel present this evening comprised of the following:
Cathal Cawley, Ben Lennon, Adam Sheridan, Tom Smythe, Cillian O’Grady, Ronan O’Donnell, Robbie Staunton, Chris McGlynn, Mikey Hastings, Mark Hastings, Jason McGlynn, Ian Murphy, Sean Prenty, Chris McNally, Kian Moore, Daniel O’Malley, Jack Walsh, Rory Nolan, Connor Sammon, Harry Sheridan, Liam Moore.
Final Score: Kilmeena; 5 - 6, Bohola Moy Davitts; 2 – 7
View all photos here