For the second week running Kildress scored an injury-time goal but whilst last week’s produced an unlikely victory, this week’s merely helped put the gloss on a well-deserved 2-15 to 1-7 win earlier tonight over Stewartstown. Played in perfect conditions and on an impeccable surface at Mullaghmoyle, this was a well-contested game where the better team won, though the final score-line was perhaps unfair to a Harps team which kept driving on to the end.
The opening quarter saw Stewartstown twice take the lead but after the water-break Kildress went on a roll, Matty McGuigan’s penalty kicking off a 1-6 without reply for The Tones, and leaving them a comfortable 1-8 to 0-3 ahead at half-time. Kildress then continued as they’d left off, scoring the first three points of the second half before a Stweartsown rally that brought them 1-3 threatened to make a game of it. Kildress refused to loosen their grip however and Stephen Loughran’s late goal was the icing on an already well-baked cake.
The fact that some of Kildress’ best performers were defenders shows how strongly Stewartsown competed. The flawless Tiaran McNamee was a man-of-the-match contender, with Conor McAleer also very influential, well aided by Johnny Connolly (0-1). Pauric Lagan (0-2) made a noticeable return at midfield whilst up front Paul Connolly’s hard running was very effective and the outstanding Matty McGuigan (1-8) and Shea Quinn (0-4) provided very sharp and effective cutting edges.
Cathal Kearney refereed a strongly-contested game very well.
Kildress: | Gerard Grimes | Aaron Loughran, Dean McNally, Marty Loughran | Jonny Connolly, Stephen McGurk, Tiernan McNamee | Enda McAleer, Des Pauric Lagan (0-2) | Stephen Loughran (1-0), Paul Connolly, Conor Quinn | Shea Quinn (0-4), Matty McGuigan (1-8), Conor McAleer | Martin Grimes, Des Treacy
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In the Reserves, Kildress put last week’s defeat well behind them with a 2-21 to 2-14 victory in another highly entertaining game. Goals from Caolan Mullin and MJ Connolly, plus a handful of points from Ben Donnelly were part of an all-round good team showing, where Francis Óg Quinn was a welcome returnee.
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Earlier in the week Kildress Under 13s scored a fine 7-10 to 3-5 win over Clonoe. A victory like this is never down to one player but Callum Wilson’s penalty save was a big second-half marker in this game. Our Under 13s next game is at home to Beragh next Wednesday night (9 June).
