Pearse Og 1-12 Killeavy 3-05
Played out on a cool and sunny Friday evening in Armagh, this return fixture occured only two weeks after Killeavy had pipped the Ogs in a truly memorable encounter in Killeavy. Killeavy were again without Gary Reel, and Liam O'Hare moved to the half forward line, with Barry McKevitt returning to half back. Killeavy's displays have been very Jekyll and Hyde so far this year, and the first half of this encounter was definitely down there with some of the poorest displays of the year. It was an astonishing 15 kickouts before Killeavy won a single ball in the middle of the field. Ogs were in complete control, rattled over four early points, missed an open goal, and should have been out of reach after 10minutes. However, some fine play from Stephen McDonnell and Liam O'Hare cut open the Ogs defence after 12minutes and Anthony O'Hare applied the finish to the net. Killeavy were only a point behind. This did not, however, change the general flow of play, as Pearse Og kicked four more points and missed a few more. Right on half time, Mark Stanfield kicked a glorious free from 55 yards that sailed between the sticks. Killeavy were still in touch at the break, when the game should have been well out of their reach.Half-Time: Pearse Og 0-8 Killeavy 1-1
Killeavy opened the second half much more brightly, moving the ball at pace, half backs Donnelly and McKevitt pushing the Ogs back, and Stanfield at centre forward clearly had the upper hand on his marker. A driving run from McKevitt saw him win a close in free that Stevie converted. More good play from McKevitt saw Stano kick a fine score, and at last Killeavy were getting on top. Stano followed up with another monster free from 55yards. He and McKevitt then combined to play McDonnell through on a glorious run right through the heart of the Ogs backline, and Stevie rifled home a fantastic goal. Killeavy were now in front, and the Ogs were in complete disbelief at how this could be so. Stanfield then kicked his third placed ball of the night from beyond the fifty. Critically, this was to be his final act, as a second yellow for an off the ball tussle got him sent to the line. This was very frustrating as he had been head and shoulders above the rest in the second half of the game. The Ogs then fought back, and three good points were followed by a body blow of a goal that sent them back into a four point lead. Killeavy rose from the deck again, however, another attack cutting through the heart of the defence. Raymie Teggart's goalbound effort was blocked by the feet of McKinney and the referee gave a penalty for dangerous play. Stevie swept it home to leave Killeavy a point down with 2minutes to play. Despite the heroic second half efforts, a late shot from Anthony O'Hare went just the wrong side of the posts, and the Ogs took the two points their first half dominance deserved. Every time you go to a Killeavy game, you really have to wonder which team is going to show up. In the first half, the play was truly diabolical, passing and handling awful, and support play either non-existent or plain slow. Lets see a lot more of the second half fight, desire and flowing football!Full Time: Pearse Og 1-12 Killeavy 3-05
Killeavy Team: S. Duffy,C. Quinn,P. Watters,G. Magennis, P. Donnelly, R. McConville,B. McKevitt, S. Malone, M Stanfield(0-4 , 2f, '50), B. Magee, S. McDonnell(2-1,1P, 1F), L. O'Hare, G. Byrne, A. O'Hare(1-0), S Boylan.Subs: J. Reel, R. Teggart.