St Pats 0-10 Killeavy 0-10Killeavy travelled to St Pats on Sunday for a high noon showdown against the table toppers. Conditions were perfect, not a breath of wind and some pleasant sunshine, whetting the appetite for the big game. Killeavy started much the better, pressurising the Pats kickout and playing some good ball into the forward line. The problem was the finishing, however, Killeavy kicking five poor wides in the opening fifteen minutes. Despite this, their first point after five minutes was probably their best, with some great defensive play and support play leaving Stephen Malone to finish from thirty five yards. Malone, studying in England, flew home for the game, and finished with four points, definitely Killeavy's best player over the hour. Things were incredibly tight, with both defences holding the upper hand. Two fine frees from either wing by St Pats gave them a 2-1 lead, but Stephen McDonnell scored a lovely point from the right wing after picking up a midfield break by Paul Watters and running through to shoot over. St Pats only point from play of the half was a blinding quick move up the field, and showed how dangerous they could be when they got moving. The economical Malone was then played through by Stanfield to pop another score, before a further St pats free left the home side a point up at the break. Killeavy focused before the big game. Half-Time: St Pats 0-04 Killeavy 0-03The second half started in a similar vein to the first, Killeavy's James Duffy ramming his fist through most of the St Pats kickouts to put Killeavy on the front foot. The difference was Killeavy were scoring from the opportunities now. Ten minutes of scintillating football saw them hit four points on the trot. A fine catch from Seamus Toner saw Gerard Byrne play Malone in for another lovely score, before Anthony O'Hare kicked another beauty. Killeavy were on fire, and Stanfield, who missed a few chances in the opening half, kicked two good points in succession to put Killeavy three clear. The Pats corner back made a great run up the pitch to hit a super point and stem the flow. Two further scores saw Pats level and the tide had now turned in their favour. A good run from Malone saw Killeavy win their only scoreable free of the match. McDonnell knocked it over to edge Killeavy in front at 8-7. Kieran McKeever's influence was growing all the while, and he made a sixty yard run to get on the end of a move and kick a marvellous score from the right wing. St Pats then scored again to hit the front with ten minutes to play. Not to be out done Killeavy hit two crucial points in succession. Paddy Donnelly and Paul Rocks combined to play in Malone, who kicked his fourth point, and then a good run from Barry McKevitt at half back paved the way for James Duffy to bang over the lead score. A free from St Pats with four minutes to play equalled up proceedings. From then on, it was an even contest, with the referee playing eight minutes injury time, neither side could force even one clear cut shot at the posts in those final twelve minutes. The draw was undoubtedly a fair result with nothing to choose between the sides on the day. Killeavys promotion push is still in their own hands, although the prospect of a promotion play-off is still very much on the cards, with Cruppen and St Michaels determined to push them all the way to the very end of the campaign.Full-Time: St Pats 0-10 Killeavy 0-10Killeavy Team: B. Cromie, K. Martin, F.Mallon, K.McArdle, P. Donnelly, L. O'Hare, B. McKevitt, P. Watters, J. Duffy(0-1), S. Malone(0-4), S. McDonnell(0-2, 1f), S. Toner, G. Byrne, M. Stanfield(0-2), A. O'Hare(0-1).Subs: P. Rocks for S. Toner(35 mins),A. Doran for A. O'Hare(45mins). 9 wides. |