Sarsfields 1-12 Killeavy 1-15
Killeavy lined out for this do-or-die fixture in Sarsfields on Sunday evening with a depleted squad, barely able to rustle up 5 subs for the game. They started with a strong breeze on a very wet pitch, in a game where anything other than two points would have sent them to relegation. It was great to see last years minors Eugene Coogan and James Magennis make their debuts, and they both put in very good performances over the hour. The game did not start well for Killeavy, Sarsfields able to score with almost every attack, while Killeavy were labouring to kick points, and there was quite an amount of frustration apparent on the bench and amongst the forward line. Killeavy were 5-2 down with fifteen minutes played, when they moved the brilliantly in-form Seamus Toner to centre forward, and this switch really reaped rewards. From that point on, things seemed to click into gear, and a flurry of points, and a fine goal from Stevie McDonnell put Killeavy in control. Good points from McDonnell(4), Anthony O'Hare(2), Toner and James Magennis saw Killeavy lead by two points at the break.Half-Time Sarsfields 0-08 Killeavy 1-07
Facing a stiff breeze with a slender lead, Killeavy started the second half in great style. Eugene Coogan broke up a Sarsfields attack, and the ball moved quickly up the field for Anthony O'Hare to score. Straight from the kickout McDonnell fired over another point. Furhter points from O'Hare and Doran had Killeavy with a healthy lead and all the momentum. They were the better side throughout the second half, and the defence held Sarsfields to four points until injury time. Jason Cromie almost sealed victory , when he split the defence wide open, but his shot went narrowly wide. Killeavy continued to tag on points, and Raymie Teggart and Stevie hit two apiece towards the end. A last gasp goal for Sarsfields brought them to within three points, but there was no time for the kick out and the points were Killeavys. This was an encouraging win, with many good performances from our young teenagers Duffy, Cromie, Coogan and Magennis, to our more established players, with Paul Watters back playing solidly at full back and Stevie McDonnell hitting half a dozen scores from play. Killeavy require Pearse Og to beat Cullaville in the final fixture to avoid relegation. If this scenario occurs, Killeavy will face Mullaghbawn in a relegation playoff.Full-Time: Sarsfields 1-12 Killeavy 1-15
Killeavy Team: S. Duffy, E. Coogan, P. Watters, C. Quinn, P. Donnelly, R. McConville, G. Magennis, J. Duffy, M. Stanfield, J. Magennis(0-1), S. McDonnell(1-6, 1F), R. Teggart(0-2), A. O'Hare(0-4), S. Toner(0-1), A. Doran(0-1).Subs: J. Cromie for A. O'Hare(45 min), P. Malone for J. Duffy(53min), B. Cromie for A. Doran(58min).