Kildress made a habit of fashioning unlikely victories last year and continued that trend with this 1-17 to 3-10 win over a very unfortunate Tattyreagh in a highly entertaining game at Gortacladdy this evening.
That The Tones’ winning goal came in the third minute of injury time says it all, with Tattyreagh overall being the better team over the hour. What stood yet again to Kildress however was their simple refusal to give in, particularly in those closing minutes when it looked like there could be only one outcome to the game.
Kildress started the game well though it took a smart save from Eoghan Gallagher to prevent an opening minute goal for The Tatts. By the 15-minute mark Kildress just about deserved their 0-4 to 0-3 lead but then the visitors struck for their first goal to go ahead for the first time. With the classy Johnny Harkin probably the best player on view, Tattyreagh were rising to things and the teams reached half-time level at 0-9 to 1-6.
Tattyreagh started the second half perfectly with an early goal and maintained their advantage until a Kildress purple patch of four points in a row put them back in front. Although the St Patricks were playing some very good football, the Kildress defence was standing very firm until a perfectly finished third goal for the visitors regained the lead for them. With time running out they stretched that lead to four and when Kildress missed a couple of opportunities the result seemed done-and-dusted. But Corey Holland and Stephen McGurk pointed and then with virtually the dying play of the game a ball was hoisted goal-wards for Conor McAleer to finish to the net.
On an evening where Kildress struggled yet persevered to the end, they were well served by Stephen McGurk, Stephen Loughran, Dean McNally, Shea Murphy, Conor McAleer, Matty McGuigan and Corey Holland.
Martin Mohan was an excellent referee, allowing play to flow and helping provide a thoroughly enjoyable match for the spectators.
Kildress: Eoghan Gallagher | Aaron Loughran, Stephen McGurk (0-1), Chrissy McKenna | Stephen Loughran (0-1), Dean McNally, Shea Loughran | Odhran O’Driscoll (0-1), Enda McAleer | Philip Lennon, Shea Quinn (0-2), Conor McAleer (1-2) | Shea Murphy (0-2), Mattie McGuigan (0-5), Corey Holland (0-3) | Niall Connolly, Johnny Connolly, Cormac Loughran
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The Reserve game ended up a 9-16 to 0-6 stroll for Kildress for whom Ben Donnelly netted a hat-trick of goals.
