Newtownhamilton 3-10 Killeavy 3-10

Killeavy travelled to Newtown on Sunday afternoon for a top of the table clash. Away games in Newtown are always a tough prospect, and this was again to prove the case, on an incredible topsy-turvy game of football. Conditions were very mixed, intense downpours broken by periods of pleasant sunshine, and the home side played with a fair breeze in the opening half. St Michaels got the first two points from frees, their forward line looking in top scoring nick, indeed they only managed a solitary wide in the opening half, while they completed outplayed a Killeavy side that looked lethargic in comparison. Newtown played an extra defender to cut down space and broke with great pace and purpose. James Duffy got Killeavy's opening point, but three Newtown points had them four to the good. A fine longe range free from McDonnell was scant reply and cataclysmic disaster was only around the corner. A long ball to the Killeavy square was dropped by Kevin Martin and the alert Newtown forwards soccered the ball to the net in a flash. Another high ball saw three Killeavy players contest, including the keeper Sean O'Hanlon. Inevitably the ball broke to a Newtown forward to kick the ball to an empty net. If that wasn't bad enough, another quick Newtown break saw a shot heading wide strike the Killeavy fullback and nestle in the back of the net. Incredibly, with five minutes to play in the half, Newtown led by a score of 3-08 to 0-02, a whopping fifteen point difference between the sides. At that point in the match, this particular PRO was thinking of heading down to Galway early for the races, and not bothering with a report this week. Killeavy threw on two substitutes, Adrian Doran coming in for Gerard Byrne, and Raymond Teggart taking the place of Paul Rocks. A glimmer of hope appeared for Killeavy when three Newtown defenders failed to clear and Doran latched onto the chance, driving to the roof of the net. Just on half-time a great run and cross ball from Gary Reel was fisted to the corner of the net by Doran again. This meant St Michaels only led by ten after an extraordinary opening half.

Half-Time: Newtownhamilton 3-09 Killeavy 2-02

Having played disgracefully in the opening half, Killeavy had to play for pride in the second period. Instantly, the game changed in their favour. A great long ball from Raymond Teggart was won by McDonnell, who fed Doran to plunder his hat-trick score. He had only been on the field ten minutes. Mark Stanfield got on the scoreboard, before McDonnell and Doran combined again, this time Doran's fisted effort going over off the crossbar with the goal gaping. Killeavy were in utter control now, waves of attack peppering the Newtown backline, in stark contrast to the first half. The deficit was now only five points with a full 20 minutes to play. Killeavy plugged away, and Raymond Teggart played in McDonnell for a point. A Mark Stanfield fifty sailed between the posts, before the Newtown goalkeepeer came up to respond with an excellent 50 of his own. This was to be St Michaels only score of the half, not a good reflection on their outfield players. Blain Cromie was given the second half in goals and acquitted himself well, making two fine saves and fielding some wayward Newtown shooting. Two McDonnell frees, the second from outside fifty yards had the Newtown lead down to two, with the time starting to run out. A beautiful cross field pass from McDonnell found Stanfield unmarked to leave a point between the sides entering injury time. It appeared to be a point too far for Killeavy, but on the last attack, the Newtown fullback failed to secure possession, and again McDonnell fed Doran. A dramatic goal was on the cards, but Doran fumbled initially, before tapping it over the bar for a most dramatic draw. This was another mixed show from Killeavy, looking like chumps early on, yet showing great character to come back from the dead. This was definitely a point gained, rather than a point lost

Full-Time: Newtownhamilton 3-10 Killeavy 3-10

Killeavy Team: S. O'Hanlon, K. Martin, F.Mallon, K. O'Hare, G. Reel, L. O'Hare, C. Quinn, P. Watters, J. Duffy(0-1), P. Rocks, S. McDonnell(0-4, 3f), C. Hickey, G. Byrne, S. Malone, M. Stanfield(0-3, 1 '50).
Subs: A. Doran(3-2) for G. Byrne(25 mins), R. Teggart for P. Rocks (25min), B. Cromie for S. O'Hanlon(30 mins) 7 wides.