Sarsfields 1-06 Killeavy 0-13Killeavy went to Sarsfields on Friday night, hoping to build on a great three weeks. Two important league wins, and the South B Championship in the bag has left a more confident mood in the squad. Despite this Killeavy are still in bad need of points in the league, so this was an important game against fellow strugglers Sarsfields. Conditions were perfect on the shores of Lough Neagh, and Killeavy started the match well. Barry and James Duffy were in complete control in the middle of the park against a small, mobile Sarsfields outfit. This division seems to be full of sides who play seven defenders and only five up front, and at times the Sarsfields half of the field was more packed than Quinn's on All-Ireland final day. This afforded Killeavy loads of time on the ball in their own half, but the final ball to the forwards proving difficult to hit. Despite this, Sarsfelds couldn't hold out the intense pressure, and Adrian Doran at full-forward managed to get loads of ball in the early stages. He missed a few, dropping several into the keeper's hands, but he also managed to hit three points, some of great quality.Sean Carroll also got in on the scoring act, back in the team after several months of injury. Gerard Byrne chipped in with a free and when Barry Duffy landed a towering point from out the field, things were going perfectly. Sarsfields front men were far too exposed, and their runs meant they picked up the balls fifty yards from the Killeay goal, and they had to shoot under pressure from way too difficult positions. Their first point arrived courtesy of a misplaced pass from a Killeavy defender. They then scored a goal to bring them to within two points at the break. A calamitous pass across the defence went straight to the Sarsfields full forward who was fouled bearing on goal. Teggart got a big hand on the resultant penalty, but couldn't stop it going into the net. Instead of the game being over at the break, Sasfields were right back in the hunt. Half-Time:Sarsfields 1-01 Killeavy 0-06Raymond Teggart hit a fine point to get Killeavy going after the break, but Sarsfields hit back with a few close in frees. Disaster struck for Killeavy when James Duffy picked up a second yellow card, and with twenty minutes to go Killeavy were a point up and a man down. From this point on they really rallied to produce their best football of the year to date. A string of fine scores from Gerard Byrne, Adrian Doran, John McKevitt and Sean Carroll saw Killeavy race clear. Karl O'Hare had gone off hurt at the break, but Tony Kelly replaced him and put in a fine half hour in his competitive debut for the senior team at half back. On the other wing, Gary Reel raided to score his customary point, while another great run was unlucky not to result in a goal. Sarsfields produced a few danegrous moments towards the end, but weren't able to seriously threaten a very tight Killeavy rearguard. Their extra man wasn't used to any effect, and they refused to send more men up front when chasing the game.Adrian Doran finished the scoring, and Killeavy picked up their third league win in a row. Killeavy must target at least another three victories to be sure of survival, but moral is now good, and all squad members are getting football, with the All County B Chamionship semi-final approaching. There were fine performances all over the field, but Barry Duffy again played a starring role at midfield, and his form of late has been superb. This can only improve as his fitness now builds, and things are looking up, as competition for places is healthy all over the pitch. Full-Time:Sarsfields 1-6 Killeavy 0-13Killeavy Team: B. Teggart, L. O'Hare, F. Mallon, C. Quinn, K. O'Hare(T Kelly(30mins), P. McArdle, G. Reel(0-1), J. Duffy, B. Duffy(0-1), R. Teggart(0-1)(M Connolly 50mins), J. McKevitt(0-1), P. Rocks(P. Hannaway 45mins), G. Byrne(0-2, 1f), A. Doran(0-5), S. Carroll(0-2). |