Killeavy travelled to Mullaghbawn on Sunday afternoon hoping to build on their opening league victory over Sarsfields.
The match was preceded by a minutes silence in memory of Killeavy stalwart Leo Mallon who had passed away earlier in the week.
The away team started strongly but inaccurate shooting meant that the first score of the game came from a Mullaghbawn 45 taken by Donal Ferris.
A Steven McDonnell free after 10 minutes levelled the score but Mullaghbawn immediately went back in front with a Ferris free.
Anthony O'Hare had a chance of a goal well saved by the Mullaghbawn keeper but Mark Stanfield levelled the score from the resulting 45.
Mullaghbawn went two points in front before Killeavy came back again with two similar scores from Raymond Teggart and Anthony O'Hare.
Killeavy were well on top at this stage but inaccurate shooting (seven wides in the first half) kept Mullaghbawn well in the game and
two late first half frees sent them in to the break leading by 0.06 to 0.04.
Half time : Mullaghbawn 0-06 Killeavy 0-04
There must have been something in the half-time water as Killeavy had a whirlwind start to the second period.
Within ten minutes their two point deficit was turned into an eight point lead. Gerard Byrne led the way with a
well taken point and the sides were level following a McDonnell free. Good work from Mark Stanfield and
Anthony O'Hare resulted with the ball being transferred to Steven McDonnell with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Steven neatly sidestepped the keeper and tapped the ball home. Two quick points followed from a McDonnell free
and an excellent score from Colm Burns foraging up the field from half back. Anthony O'Hare then capitalised
on a mistake in the Mullaghbawn defence to slot the ball home.
Mullaghbawn rallied briefly and their top scorer Donal Ferris fired to the net after his first shot had been blocked
by a combination of Blain Cromie and Paul Watters. This was to be Mullaghbawn's only score of the second half
and it was quickly cancelled out by points from Gerard Byrne and Anthony O'Hare (2), the latter of which came
after an excellent defensive challenge by Justin Reel.
Killeavy were totally in control and their superiority was emphasised by another goal from Anthony O'Hare whose
excellent all-round performance was finished off with the last point of the game. Mullaghbawn's frustration was
perfectly summed up by a rash challenge from Enda McNulty which earned him a red card in the final minute.
This was a very convincing performance from Killeavy especially in the second half when they scored 3.08.
Some slight concerns over the number of wides and scoreable frees conceded but that should not take away from an excellent win.
Next up for Killeavy is a crucial home match with Pearse Og which will be a real test of their ambitions for the coming year.
The throw-in at the Memorial Park is at 7.15 on Friday evening.
Mullaghbawn 1-06 Killeavy 3-12
Killeavy: B. Cromie, S. Stokes, P. Watters, C. Quinn, C. Burns (0.01), G. Reel, B. McKevitt, J. Duffy, C. Hickey,
B. Magee, M. Stanfield (0.01; 0.01 free), R. Teggart (0.01), S. McDonnell (1.03; 0.03 free), A. O'Hare (2.04), G. Byrne (0.02).
Subs: J. Reel for (C. Hickey ? 47mins), M. Connolly (B. Magee ? 57 mins); R. McConville (M. Stanfield ? 57 mins);
Gordon Magennis (S. Stokes ? 57 mins);
