Minor Championship: Killeavy 0-08 Silverbridge 2-09
Hot on the heels of their great league title win on Monday night, Killeavy entertained Silverbridge on Sunday afternoon. The monsoon rains of the week had finally abated,
and the weather was rather pleasant for a change, and a large crowd was there for the match. The game started poorly, neither side able to make much of an impression on
the scoring front. Defences were well on top, with Killeavys fullback line of Larkin, McKnight and Downey comfortably dealing with anything Silverbridge could throw at
them. Killeavy missed a couple of scoreable frees before Conor King got them on the scoreboard with a great point following good work by Conor McAnulty.
King then dispossessed a Silverbridge defender and this allowed Caolan Trainor to play in James Magennis for another fine point. Killeavy were now well on top, and a missed thirteen
yard free from Silverbridge and a good save from David Mulholland kept them scoreless.
James Donnelly hit a nice score from full forward before corner back Kealan Downey scored an inspirational point from a great through ball by Caolan Trainor. James Magennis then fed
King to score a splendid point from fifty yards. As the half time whistle blew, Killeavy led by five, and Silverbridge looked like they couldnt buy a score.
The half time team talk.
Half-Time: Killeavy 0-5 Silverbridge 0-0
The second half started well again for Killeavy, Caolan Trainor banging over a point from thirteen yards. Conor King caught the resultant kickout, played a great one-two,
and drove over a point that looked like a killer blow to Silverbridge. The score stood at seven nil to Killeavy with twenty five minutes to play. Everything pointed to an emphatic win
for the league champions. The rest of the game was therefore a complete mystery as the whole game turned on its head. Silverbridge scored from a fifty yard free to open their account,
and from that point on they laid siege to the Killeavy goal. Killeavy couldn't win a break ball, and the Bridge eventually found their shooting boots. When the score reached 7-5, there was
concern growing round the ground. Killeavy then conceded a further free, then catastrophe as they lost the ball in defence and the ball ended up in the back of the home net to leave Silverbridge
two to the good. In response, Conor King hit a long range free, but the Bridge centreback scored a crucial and inspirational point from the kickout to re-assert their dominance.
Unable to change the momentum, Killeavy conceded another late goal as they gambled pushing up the field.
It was hugely disappointing to see the team really fall apart in that second half when they appeared to be cruising to an easy win. The team has improved beyond all recognition through the year,
and were hoping to put together a good run in the championship on the back of their league success. Full credit must go to Silverbridge who chalked up 2-09 in a great second half display, considering
how poorly they had played in the first half.
Full-Time: Killeavy 0-08 Silverbridge 2-09
Killeavy Team: David Mulholland; Lanny Larkin; Christopher McKnight; Kealan Downey(0-1); Paddy Faloon; Mickey Reel;
Eugene Coogan; Declan Hannaway; Conor McAnulty; Niall O'Neill; Conor King(0-4, 1F); James McGuinness(0-1);
Sean Og Duffy; James Donnelly(0-1); Caolan Trainor(0-1);
Subs: Conor Carnegie for Sean Og Duffy(45 mins).
