Kildress put on their most spirited display yet in this year’s Donnelly Division I League but in the end fell just marginally short against Coalisland this evening. Damian Kelly (1-1) and Des Treacy (0-2) shared Kildress’ first half-scores, Kelly’s goal following good work by Caolan McNamee, who was a handful for the Fianna defence throughout, whilst Cormac O’Hagan’s exceptional free-taking for the Fianna helped level the teams at 0-6 to 1-3 at half-time.

Padraig Hampsey powered through for a fine Fianna goal in the third quarter but Kildress refused to buckle and points from Treacy (0-2), Kelly, Martin Grimes and Philip Lennon kept the game on a knife-edge. With minutes to go Caolan McNamee was upended for a Kildress penalty but Niall Quinn’s kick hit the post and two late, spectacular points from Peter Donnelly closed the game out at 1-11 to 1-8 for the home side. Best for a Kildress team that played well throughout were Gerard Grimes, Dean McNally, Stephen McGurk, Aidan Donaghy, Conor McAleer, Caolan McNamee and that evergreen trio of Grimes, Kelly and Treacy.

By mark Sat 7th May