Before today, Kildress’ last win in Junior football was away back in the Junior Final of 1994. However, after a draw and a couple of defeats in this year’s campaign, it finally all came good for The Tones with a deserved 2-13 to 0-16 win at Drumragh’s inspirational Clanabogan setting. This was another exciting and highly-entertaining game that was thoroughly enjoyed by the significant attendance. Kildress attacked well and defended well and showed good energy all over the field, with Conor McAleer a defining influence until he went off injured. Drumragh’s flawless Shane Cleary scored a remarkable twelve points but in Colm Loughran and Matty McGuigan (0-4 each) Kildress also had a decisive cutting edge whilst Corey Holland’s two points came at important times for his team.
The big score of the first half was Pauric Lagan’s well-taken goal which left Kildress 1-6 to 0-4 ahead at the break and although Drumragh started the second half well with the opening two points Philip Lennon’s penalty goal, won by Colm Loughran, always looked like being the decisive score as it put Kildress seven ahead. They maintained that lead until near the end when an injury-time blitz from Drumragh rattled off the final four points of a highly-enjoyable game. Kildress were good value for their win and in a good all-round team performance Aaron Loughran, Michael Crawley and Pauric Lagan also caught the eye.
Kildress Reserves meanwhile maintained their 100% record, winning their top-of-the-table clash with the previously-unbeaten Sarsfields by 1-15 to 2-11, Matty Mullin grabbing the goal and Shea Loughran prominent. The Tones however suffered a couple of concerning injuries but sit top of their League table.
