Lissummon 1-10 Killeavy 1-07

Killeavy went to Lissummon on Saturday evening hoping to consolidate their opening victory in the league over Clann Eireann the previous week. The short trip was to prove fruitless, however, as Killeavy put in a very disappointing performance, especially in the second half. Conditions were good, with no breeze, although the pitch was rather heavy. Stephen McDonnell and Paul Watters were unavailable for selection due to county commitments. The dimensions of the Lissummon field are much, much tighter than those in the new field in Killeavy, and the tight cramping of players in the middle sector, along with a referee who didn't blow cheaply for fouls, led to some very robust exchanges. With space at a premium, the overwhelming majority of kickouts were broken down, so breaking ball was also a crucial factor. Undefeated at home last year, Lissummon proved well accustomed to the type of game that developed. Winning the toss, Lissummon played up the slight slope in the first half. The opening exchanges were fairly even, with Killeavy able to keep the Lissummon attackers at bay, and set up some good scoring chances on the break. Mark McDonnell was first to capitalise after five minutes, kicking a good point from the right flank. Gerard Byrne followed up with a long range point a minute later, and Killeavy were causing a lot of problems for the Lissummon defence. A series of poor wides from Killeavy kept Lissummon in the hunt early on. Mark McDonnell kicked a free to put Killeavy three up, before Lissummon opened their account from a free after ten minutes. Lissummon were then awarded a dubious penalty, when their full-forward went to ground in the square. As with last week, the penalty went up the middle of the goal, however the diving goalkeeper Teggart was unable to get his boot to the ball and keep it out. The goal put Lissummon a point up. Killeavy responded with two good long range scores from Raymond Teggart. Gerard Byrne scored from a free before the half, while Lissummon registered another free. Seamus Toner won a long ball at full forward, and when through on the keeper, he blasted the ball against the bar and away to safety. Lissummon also crafted another goal chance for Noel McElvanna, but a good save from Teggart and follow up diving block from Kevin Martin kept the door closed. The half time lead of a point for Killeavy should have been at least four or five, but missed chances would prove costly.

Half-Time:Lissummon 1-02 Killeavy 0-06

Killeavy changed their tactics at half-time and decided to play long balls into full-forward Seamus Toner. This failed badly as the Lissummon full back picked up everything that went in, and was without doubt the best player on show. Lissummon were also able to pick up most of the breaking ball at midfield, and were displaying the greater fight and will to win. This was probably the most disappointing aspect of the game from a Killeavy perspective. Two frees put Lissummon into the lead, before Killeavy struck for their goal. A long range free dropped short into the Lissummon square was scrambled to the net by Seamus Toner. A brilliant long range sideline free from Noel McElvanna ignited the Lissummon challenge, and previously having been scoreless from play, they kicked three or four fabulous points to take a commading position with a two point lead. Killeavy looked void of ideas to find a way through, and a late free from Mark McDonnell was their only point of the second half. Lissummon finished stronger and thoroughly deserved their three point win. Killeavy will have to look hard at several statistics. Their wide count was at least seventeen, many simple scoring chances. Lissummon picked up far too much breaking ball in the second half, which generated a wealth of possession for them. Killeavy also persisted on a failing tactic for far too long in the second half, and were unable to switch their gameplan. They also failed to generate any attacking play on the right flank for the entire second half. A high degree of bouncebackability will be required for the visit of Carrickcruppen next week.

Full-Time: Lissummon 1-10 Killeavy 1-07

Killeavy Team: B. Teggart, B. Hannaway, F. Mallon, C. Quinn, K. Martin, B McKevitt, C. Byrne, J. Duffy, K. McArdle(B. Duffy 35mins), S. Carroll, P. Rocks, R. Teggart(0-2), M. McDonnell (0-3, 2f), S. Toner(1-0), G. Byrne(0-2, 1f).

The Killeavy squad that faced Lissummon on Saturday.

BACK