B Championship Final: St Pat's 1-07 Killeavy 0-17Killeavy and St Pat's played out an open and enjoyable B championship final on Wednesday night in Newtown. Conditions were perfect for football as Killeavy took to the field in a positive mood having reached the final with a storming comeback victory over Dromintee in the semi-final. Stephen McDonnell gets the team revved up. Killeavy saw St Pats hit two wides before opening their account. A foul on Ciaran Duffy saw Paddy Hannaway kick the first of his personal tally of half a dozen points with a relatively easy free. Ciaran Duffy added the second, a brilliant left footed effort set up by Cormac McConville. In between, St Pats scored twice, their left half forward hitting a beauty from play before kicking a sideline ball all the way over. Killeavy also had a let off, when a mishit shot dropped perfectly for the full forward, but his close in effort was deflected onto the post by Peter Mullen and away to safety. Ciaran Duffy then collected a poor kickout from St Pats keeper, and set up Paddy Hannaway to kick over a nice point. One of the scores of the game followed, as Ciaran Faloon cleared beautifully from defence for Paul Rocks to play in Mark McDonnell who finished the lightning move with a point. Killeavy were getting on top and another poor kickout saw Paddy Hannaway play in captain Daniel McKevitt to put Killeavy two clear. With Barry Duffy in the middle of the field, at last returning to some form and fitness after 18 months, Killeavy had a real ace in the pack. His intelligent use of the ball to a fast, mobile forward line was a feature of the hour. He landed a mammoth score from fifty yards with his left foot, and finished the half with another brilliant effort from forty yards. In between these scores, Paddy Hannaway, whose free-taking was very solid tagged on two more scores. This left Killeavy very well placed, leading by five points at the break. Half-Time:St Pat's 0-04 Killeavy 0-09 The victorious Killeavy team before the game. An early score from Ciaran Duffy followed three very bad wides that would have won the game for Killeavy. As it was, St Pats enjoyed a five minute spell of real dominance, thier centre forward pointing before their left half back came up to crash home a great goal to leave two points betwee the teams. At this time it was anyone's game, but it was Killeavy who responded. The half back line of Tony Kelly, Tommy Murphy and Daniel McKevitt became more influential and this kept the St Pat's scoring chances to a premium. Paddy Hannaway scored a free and then had a hand in setting up the next three scores from play, a pair from Mark McDonnell sandwiched by Gerard Byrne's only point of the match. This flurry put the game beyond the St pat's challenge, and Killeavy continued to play some fine football until the end, with Barry Duffy chipping in with another point before Mark McDonnell landed a monster free. Paddy Hannaway finished a great night with a free after great work by Tony Kelly, raiding from the halfback line. Daniel McKevitt thanked St Pats for a good game in a sometimes emotional and very longwinded speech. The celebrations continued back in the club with only a few beers allowed, as Ballyhegan will be in Killeavy on Friday. The team now goes forward to represent the South Board in the All County Championship. Congratulations to all involved, to Brian McKevitt and Stephen McDonnell for their hard work, the team, and once again to the Ladie's committee who put on a great feed for the team on its return to Killeavy. Coming hot on the heels of the U14 Championship, it's been a good few weeks in the club. Let's keep it going!!!! Full-Time: St Pat's 1-07 Killeavy 0-17Killeavy Team: P. Mullen, C. Devine(S Stokes 20mins), B. Hannaway(E. Doran 50mins), C. Faloon, D. McKevitt(0-1), T. Murphy, T. Kelly, P. Rocks, B. Duffy(0-3), P. Hannaway(0-6, 5f), C. Duffy(0-2), M. Connolly, C. McConville(P. McKenna 50mins), M. McDonnell(0-4, 1f), G. Byrne(0-1) |