Kildress will spend at least another year in Junior football after falling to Killeeshil by the minimum margin, 1-9 to 0-13, at a well-attended Donaghmore yesterday. Less than two months ago Kildress just edged out the same opponents in a thrilling Junior Semi-Final and yesterday both teams produced another excellent game, though this time it was the St Mary’s, full of good strong footballers, who just about deserved to edge it. Kildress’ main failing was a giving away of possession, not through losing it in the tackle but rather through passing and kicking that just weren’t accurate enough.
Killeeshil dominated the first quarter and led by four before Kildress goaled through Matty McGuigan and were fortunate to go in at half-time just two points down, 1-3 to 0-8. The Tones needed the good start to the second half, but it was Killeeshil who got it, scoring the opening two points before fine scores from Enda McAleer, Caloan McNamee and Paul Connolly brought Kildress well back into things. Further points from Corey Holland, Marty McGurk and Philip Lennon brought the game level as Kildress at last grasped the initiative and began to look the better team but that coughing up of good possession continued to be very costly. In a reverse of the Junior Semi-Final when Killeeshil were pressing late on only for Kildress to break for vital scores, this time it was Killeeshil who managed to find a late and overall deserved winner, just into injury time. In a Kildress team that has improved considerably as 2019 has gone on, the Loughrans – Aaron, Marty and Stephen – , Adam and Johnny Connolly, Pauric Lagan, Callum Holland, Caolan McNamee, Paul Connolly and Philip Lennon all did well.
Proud to be part of
