Silverbridge 0-10 Killeavy 1-10

Killeavy travelled to Silverbridge on Sunday lunch time for a real business end of the table clash. A win for Killeavy in this one would put them in pole position for promotion, while a defeat would open up the entire race for the second spot between Killevay, Newtown, Silverbridge and Cruppen. Conditions were pleasant, overcast with no real breeze, ideal for the big game. Killeavy started the first half in promising fashion. The tireless running of Gary Reel yet again caused endless problems for the Bridge defence, while some of the support runs were of great speed and quality. Unfortunately a lot of good early moves ended up with missed chances, Mark Stanfield, who had a super hour, off target with a few early chances before eventually finding his range to telling effect. Stanfield opened the scoring with a trademark fifty, the ball sailing comfortably over. He also supplied the second point after James Duffy broke down a Silverbridge kickout into his path. Silverbridge, for their part, were economical with whatever possession they had, kicking four superb long range points from play in the opening 20 minutes. However, it was Killeavy who were by far the more penetrating and dangerous in their attacks, and eventually opened up the Bridge defence for a goal with a great running move, involving James Duffy and the dynamic Reel overlapping from half back. He drew the corner back, before feeding Anthony O'Hare to lash home and complete a stunning move. Another sweeping attack saw Finbar Mallon place Adrian Doran, who was content to fist a point when a goal seemed on the cards. Doran then fed Stanfield to kick his third point of the game, and give Killeavy a handy five point lead. Stephen Malone picked upt he break from a sideline ball to the Bridge square to pop over a point, before he dispossessed a Silverbridge defender to play in O'Hare on the counter attack. A goal was again on, but O'Hare didnt take the pass cleanly and was content to volley the ball over the bar. Killeavy went in four points to the good, in an enjoyable contest, that had the large crowd enthralled right to the end.

Half-Time: Silverbridge 0-05 Killeavy 1-06

A poor wide from O'Hare at the start of the half saw the Bridge keeper work a short kickout and his side profitted with a point. This was to start the Bridge's best spell of the game, and they kicked two further scores to peg the lead back to one. Indeed it was 10 minutes before Killeavy's first score, Stanfield again the man to stand up and be counted with a great fisted point from an acute angle. Another quickfire attack with Reel again attacking up the flank saw Killeavy work the ball to Stanfield, who kicked the score of the day from fifty yards. The game was now extremly tight and niggly, with players from both sides indulging in some unpleasant, rather than dangerous, off the ball exchanges. Scores were typically difficult to come by, Killeavy defending more frequently, but with Liam O'Hare dominant at centre back, they managed not to let Silverbridge back on terms. Late on the teams traded two scores each, with Stevie Malone and the highly impressive Stanfield fittingly having the last say from a free to get his sixth point of the hour. This was an important win for Killeavy, their first against a top side in the league for a while, and some of the high tempo support play was treat to watch. There are still some big games ahead, and with Stephen McDonnell incredibly failing to score in the sixty minutes, no doubt he's saving a few scores for the important games to come. Gary Reel and Liam O'Hare were superb for the umpteenth time this year in defence, with Mark Stanfield stealing the plaudits up front. Well done to Conor Quinn also, who also hit the kickouts with Blain Cromie in nets struggling with a groin injury.

Full-Time: Silverbridge 0-10 Killeavy 1-10

Killeavy Team: B. Cromie, C. Quinn, F.Mallon, P. Donnelly, G. Reel, L. O'Hare, E. Quigley, P. Watters, J. Duffy, S. Malone(0-2), M. Stanfield(0-6, 1f, 1 50), S. Toner, A. Doran(0-1), S. McDonnell, A. O'Hare(1-1).
Subs: B. McKevitt for E. Quigley(35 mins), C. Hickey for P. Watters(40 mins), G. Byrne for A. Doran(50mins). 9 wides.