Killeavy 2-7 Keady 3-03
After a number of close shaves over the past few years, Killeavy were determined to win the County Junior title in Armagh on Sunday evening. Keady were their opponents, who are a division lower in the league, so the weight of expectation was on Killeavy to lift the crown. The pitch was wet, after heavy rain all day, but the sun came out for the game, and Keady played with a fairly strong breeze in the opening half. Keady started the stronger side, and two good early points settled their nerves. Killeavy, on the other hand looked a little edgy, and missed a few chances they would normally score, before Aileen Matthews got their opening point from a tight angle on the right wing. Killeavy then dominated for the next fifteen minutes, laying seige to the Keady square. A brilliant save from the Keady keeper touched a goal bound shot from captain Marianne Watters over the bar, and Aileen Matthews pushed Killeavy into the lead with another point. Killeavy lost Sharon Reel to the sin bin, and then had an Anne Marie Murtagh penalty again well saved. The penalty was won by a terrific run from the very impressive young corner back Frances Quinn. With numerical advantage Keady threatened to run away with the game, when they scored two quick goals in succession. The first effort was deflected right into the corner of the net, while the second came from a long free that was punched to the Killeavy net. Rocked back on their heels, a quick response was essential, and two long quick balls from Fionnuala Reel and Marianne Watters saw the dangerous Anne Marie Murtagh rattle home a goal to leave Killeavy two behind. With time almost up the fourth goal in five dramatic minutes came to Killeavy when a long free from Aileen Matthews deceived the Keady defence and creeped into the net. This gave Killeavy a one point lead at the break.
The calm before the storm.
Half Time: Killeavy 2-3 Keady 2-2
The second half started in frustrating fashion for Killeavy. Anne Marie Murtagh had two goal bound chances fly narrowly wide, while Marianne Watters saw a piledriver cannon off the bar and back out off the line. Any one of these goals would have given Killeavy breathing space, but none arrived. Indeed, it was Keady who struck a hammer blow after ten minutes, when a long high free to the square broke loose and was crashed to the Killeavy net. Despite this kick in the teeth, Killeavy knuckled down and refused to panic. Keady were defending stoutly, but Aileen Matthews managed to chip away at the lead with some very good frees. Indeed four frees from Aileen in the half had Killeavy with a two point lead, but such was the nature of the match, it was far from a comfortable advantage. Keady tried hard, and reduced the margin to a point, with two or three minutes to play. Some great defensive play from Killeavy kept out any late Keady pressure, and there were scenes of unbridled joy at the final whistle, as the championship was Killeavy's. Marianne Watters received the cup, amid a large crowd of very happy Killeavy followers. Well done to all involved with the team, who finally have that elusive championship! I'm sure the likes of Sinead Reel will cherish her medal, after quite a few years of trying. Rest assured, a great night followed in the club!Killeavy 2-7 Keady 3-03
Team: N.Cromie, A.Mallon, C. Mallon,F.Quinn, C.McConville, Sinead Reel, F.Reel,A. Dooley, A.M. Murtagh(1-0), Sharon Reel, A. McAteer, S.Mallon, A.Matthews(1-6, 1-4F), S.Doran, M. Watters(0-1). Subs: S. McAleenan for A. McAteer 20mins, G.Keenan for Aveen Dooley 45 mins
Success tastes very sweet!