Late concessions of scores had cost Kildress dearly in a number of games this year but there was no chance of that happening at a chilly but very well attended Gortacladdy this evening as a very strong second half showing saw the Tones comfortably account for fellow-strugglers Cookstown by 1-9 to 0-4. This was a strange game as Kildress didn’t score until Philip Lennon pointed a free in the 30th minute of the first half, by which time a comfortable-looking Fr Rocks had led 0-3 to no score. Two quick-fire points from Matty McGuigan however then saw a relieved Kildress reach the interval all square at 0-3 each. Cookstown had the first score of the second half, but then, in almost a reverse of Kildress’ first half, failed to score for the final 30 minutes of the game. Two Philip Lennon points edged Kildress in front and when Marty Grimes finished a fine move to the net Kildress found themselves four points ahead at the three-quarter stage of what was always a tight match. They would add a further four points whilst their defence was outstanding in preventing the Fr Rocks from notching even a single score. This game, well-refereed by Kieran Taggart, secures Kildress’ Division II status and was one where in a fine all-round team performance Kildress had particularly good showings from Enda McAleer, Peter Daly, Marty Loughran, Adam Connolly, Dean McNally, Philip Lennon, Matty McGuigan and the Holland twins.

By mark Sun 20th Aug