Despite roaring into a deserved nine-point lead by the first water-break, Kildress eventually fell by 1-15 to 3-12 to Clogher in another outstanding game played in perfect conditions at Gortacladdy this evening. Holding leads has been a bit of an issue for The Tones of late, but overall no one could argue about this result as a strong and pacey Éire Ógs side played some great football, took several fine points and had that priceless ability to hit for killer goals. Kildress were no slouches either but just seemed to lack the power they needed in the final quarter of the game when the outcome was still up for grabs.
The opening quarter belonged to Kildress and Pauric Lagan’s so-well-taken goal sealed their deserved 1-7 to 0-1 water-break lead. The water-break is becoming a thing of significance in football and that’s exactly what happened here, as Clogher dug themselves out of a bad place by regrouping to outscore Kildress by 2-3 to 0-2 before half-time. The early stages of the second half set a pattern of Clogher leveling and then Kildress drawing ahead again, but the crucial score came when a Clogher penalty was brilliantly saved by Gerard Grimes, only for the rebound to be driven to the net. That put the visitors ahead and try as they might, Kildress could never get back in front again. Playing some great football Clogher edged further ahead and though Kildress attacked valiantly, they just couldn’t get the better of a well organised and physically strong defence. This was a very entertaining clash where Gerard Grimes, Jonny Connolly, Callum Holland, Philip Lennon, Enda McAleer, Stephen Loughran, Marty Grimes and Pauric Lagan pushed hard for Kildress.
Kildress: | Gerard Grimes | Aaron Loughran, Dean McNally, Marty Loughran | Jonny Connolly (0-2), Stephen McGurk, Callum Holland | Enda McAleer (0-2), Philip Lennon (0-4) | Stephen Loughran (0-2), Shea Loughran, Conor Quinn | Matty McGuigan (0-3), Pauric Lagan (1-1), Marty Grimes | Conor McAleer, Shea Quinn (0-1), Adam Connolly
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In the Reserves Kildress had a better night and were never really in danger on their way to a 3-10 to 0-7 win, their goals coming from Ryan Conway, Aidan McAleer and Liam Gilligan.
