With the championship quarter final against Portadown looming large on the horizon, and after an alarming run of form of late, Killeavy badly needed a victory at home to Ballymacnab
on Friday night. It was a damp evening, heavy showers interspersed with light drizzle throughout the game. This was exemplified perfectly by the BMW that slipped down the grass slope
and into the pitchside wire, early in the proceedings. In fairness, the game didn't need any circus sideshows to bolster the entertainment, as the first half was full of exciting play and some
good scores. Killeavy again set off at a ferocious pace. Having almost completely overhauled their front six since the last home again a few weeks ago, some good movement and interplay returned, and as a result,
scores flowed.
Kevin McArdle and Johnny McKevitt were well on top under the high ball in the full forward line, and straight from the throw in Stephen McDonnell found Johnny McKevitt who fired Killeavy in front. This was the start
of a bountiful period for McKevitt who fired over 1-2 in the first 15 minutes. Two close in frees were then converted by Gerard Byrne and Stephen McDonnell, following more good work between McArdle and McKevitt up front.
This was particularly gratifying as Killeavy failed to win a single scoreable free away to Ballyhegan last week. McKevitt fired over a point before he collected a long high ball across from Stephen McDonnell and buried it in the corner.
The game was almost over, but Ballymacnab struck back, their centreforward making a fine run through the centre and blasting high to the top corner. Undeterred, a long ball in again caused havoc, and Kevin McArdle was fouled in the box.
Stephen McDonnell's penalty was brillaintly saved, but Gerard Byrne picked up the rebound and flashed it to the net.
A well worked sideline ball, straight from the training pitch resulted in a fine score from McDonnell, while the best score of the game followed from Paul Watters, some superb tackling by Gerard Byrne and Colm Byrne setting up the chance.
The score was now 2-6 to 1-1, Killeavy leading by eight and completely on top. Cue pause. Many times this season, Killeavy have reminded me of a James Bond arch-enemy, having captured and bound their nemesis, instead of finishing the job, they take their
eye off the ball, and let their opponent wriggle free. So it was again as Ballymacnab dominated the last ten minutes of the half, adding 2 frees to their tally.
Half-Time:Killeavy 2-7 Ballymacnab 1-03
The second half was a hugely disappointing affair.After 15 minutes of play, the teams had exchanged two points each, all from frees. It was a story of some woeful shooting from Killeavy, they shot 12 wides in the second half alone, many from great
scoring positions. The Ballymacnab keeper followed up his first half penalty save with two more fine stops from McDonnell, and Ballymacnab were hanging on in a game that should have been way beyond them. Indeed, two more points and a scrappy goal got them
within one score of the Killeavy total, and carrying all the momentum into the last five minutes. Stephen McDonnell then came to midfield and caught several kickouts to stem the tide, and Killeavy held out for the two points. It was a match in which Killeavy were
ten points the better team, but only won by three in the end. They will need to up their performance substantially for next week, and cut out the scoring blight that affected their second half display. But nonetheless, it was a badly needed win, that keeps them looking more towards
the promotion playoffs than the relegation playoffs, with the middle of the league table looking more congested than the M25 at rush hour.
Full-Time: Killeavy 2-10 Ballymacnab 2-07
Killeavy Team: J. Maguire, F. Mallon, B. McKevitt, S. Stokes, C. Quinn, L. O'Hare, C. Byrne, P. Watters(0-1), J. Duffy(C Hickey(40mins)),
G Byrne(1-2, 2f)(A O'Hare(0-1) 40mins), E. Quigley, S.McDonnell(0-4, 3f), K. McArdle, R. Teggart, J. McKevitt(1-2).
