Killeavy 2-07 Armagh Harps 1-13
The inclement artic weather of last week was a distant memory as Armagh Harps arrived in Killeavy on Saturday evening in glorious sunshine. Killeavy were looking to dispel the memories of a listless performance last weekend, and indeed they started the game in whirlwind fashion. Gerard Byrne opened the scoring from a 20 yard free after a foul on Anthony O'Hare. Harps replied with a soft free. A great save from Blain Cromie saw the rebound launch Killeavy into attack, and O'Hare fired over a point, with a goal looking likely. O'Hare then laid on a ball for Stephen Malone to point and Killeavy were moving nicely. Further scores weren't long in arriving, with a good run upfield from Gary Reel placing Adrian Doran to fire to the Harps net. Three minutes later, Harps were looking more shellshocked, when a good ball by Gerard Byrne put O'Hare clean through, and he was upended for a penalty. The game looked over when Mark Stanfield almost burst the roof of the net with the spot kick. The score was 2-03 to a point after fifteen minutes. Harps converted two frees in reply, but two fantastic long range points from Adrian Doran and Anthony O'Hare saw Killeavy in complete control. This was after twenty minutes, with Killeavy looking like runaway winners at this stage. But then, inexplicably the game turned. A rare point from play for Harps was followed by a scrappy goal, a long ball fisted to the net with keeper Cromie coming to clear the ball, but didnt get there in time. Another Harps free, meant Killeavy went in with a three point lead, when at one stage it looked like it could be at least ten.Half-Time: Killeavy 2-05 Harps 1-05
The second half saw Killeavy change two defenders to try and stem the frees that the referee was awarding to Harps for the most innocuous of challenges. Compared to the abrasive contest of the week before, any player on the ball was assured a free if the opposition so much as looked in his direction. This proved to be the key to the encounter. Harps were much cuter in reading the referee, and the indisciplined manner in which Killeavy continued to concede free after free, was enraging. It demonstrated a basic lack of brains on behalf of the team, and they will have to look hard at this aspect of their game. Harps did kick three early points from play in the second half, two of which were of exceptional quality. This got them level and playing with all the momentum. Killeavy's performance on the other hand was very disjointed. Their half-forward line played much too deep, in midfield, and this was also very frustrating. The fact that Mark Stanfield kicked a fine point from play, and was unlucky to see another hit the post illustrated his threat up front, yet he seemed to spend most of the half in his own half back line! The full-forward line which was now being fairly well marked were far too exposed and the ball in was from too far away to cause problems. Meanwhile, at the other end, free after free after was tamely given away, and converted by an accurate freetaker. It was astonishing that Harps converted ten frees over the hour, while Killeavy were not awarded a single scoreable free in the second half. This was a perfect illustration of how Harps were thinking on their feet, while Killeavy weren't in tune at all. Two points in forty poor minutes of football was most dispiriting, following a blistering start to the game. The squad will have to get back on to the training field early this week to bounce back at home to St pats on Saturday evening.Full-Time: Killeavy 2-07 Harps 1-13
Killeavy Team: B. Cromie, S. Stokes, F.Mallon, R. Sheridan, G. Reel, L. O'Hare, P. Donnelly, P. Watters, J Duffy, P. Rocks, S. Malone(0-1), M. Stanfield(1-1), G. Byrne(0-1 F),A. Doran(1-2, 1F), A. O'Hare(0-2).Subs:K. Martin for P Donnelly(30 mins), R McConville for R Sheridan (30 mins), K McArdle for F. Mallon (50mins) P. Hannaway for G Byrne (55 mins)