Intermediate Hurling Final: Killeavy 1-06 Sean Treacy's Lurgan 1-07
Having successfully overcome Portadown at the second attempt last weekend, Killeavy went to Mullabrack on Saturday evening looking to settle a score from last year against Lurgan Sean Treacys. Conditions were splendid and hats off to Mullabrack as the pitch was in superb order. Lurgan played with a defininte wind advantage in the opening half, and exchanges were tight. Niall Trainor, still Killeavy's best player, opened the scoring with a free from the left wing, but straight from the puck-out, Christopher "Clint" McAlinden picked up the ball in the middle of the field and hit a towering point, the score of the game for the Lurgan outfit. This guy was head and shoulders above any playe on the park, and he hit all seven of Lurgan's points throughout the hour. A robust challenge from Eddie Fearon led to a second Lurgan point from a free, while "Ching" McCabe responded with a great point from a narrow angle on the right wing. Killeavy were competing well and Damien Reilly went close with a spectacular first time pull that narrowly missed the target. Shane Quinn also went close for a goal, when Paddy McArdle landed in a great early ball from midfield. Lurgan, however got seized the initiative for the next ten minutes until half-time. McAlinden hit another long range effort from midfield, before Lurgan got the all important goal. It was somewhat fortuitous when it arrived,a long ball in breaking to the full-forward who had lost his stick. The ball landed right on his boot, and he kicked it home first time to the net. Another free had Lurgan five points to the good at the break.
Half-Time: Killeavy 0-2 Lurgan 1-04
The second half started in lively fashion, Niall Trainor executing a brilliant hook, and shot from 60 yards that missed the target by inches. Two close in frees from Trainor brought Killeavy back into contention, with players like Dara Byrne and Darren O'Hanlon hurling well, Killeavy looked in with a good chance. Two further frees from McAlinden were countered with another by Niall Trainor. The goal Killeavy craved eventually arrived. Damien Reilly, who had been subbed off and back on a la Peter Canavan, came up with the goods, kicking the ball to the Lurgan net. Now only one behind, Killeavy tried to finish the game immediately. Two blistering shots from Kevin McCann and Damien Reilly brought a great double save from the Lutgan keeper. Maybe a point at this stage would have been the better option, as Killeavy just couldn't pin back the Lurgan outfit. McAlinden and Trainor traded frees before the final whistle blew and Killeavy were a point short. A better second half display just wasn't enough, with the skill of McAlinden just about the difference.
The victorious Lurgan outfit.