Kilcoo 1-13 Cumann Pheadair Naofa 0-15
(after extra-time)
Kilcoo did what Kilcoo do to see off a battling Cumann Pheadair Naofa after extra-time in an enthralling Down SFC final in Pairc Esler.
The Magpies clinched a remarkable 11th county title since 2009 and they'll take some beating in the Ulster championship, where they may face Monaghan champions Ballybay, who are managed by Jerome Johnston.
The Warrenpoint team were chasing their first title since 1953 and they stood toe-to-toe with the defending All-Ireland champions but Kilcoo are cool customers when it comes to tight finishes. Pressure is for tyres they say.
The seaside town team played brilliantly to come within a sniff of the title and perhaps with a bit more courage they might have clinched a winner in normal time. As it happened, Kilcoo did enough in the first half of extra-time to keep the Point at bay.
Kilcoo led by two points at the break. The Magpies only needed to show their teeth once and it was an exquisite pass from new Down manager Conor Laverty that sent Ryan Johnston on his way to net with 22 minutes on the clock.
As expected, both sides put bodies behind the ball in defence but they weren’t shy going forward in numbers too and this produced a better spectacle than many expected.
It was a laboured opening few minutes with neither side showing their hand but Warrenpoint took the lead on four occasions with Ruairi McCormack, Niall McGovern, Donagh McAleenan, Jamie Grant and Ruairi McGivern on target while Kilcoo replied through Celium Doherty, Man of the Match Paul Devlin who has won 11 county titles, Shealan Johnston and Micael Rooney.
Then came the breakthrough goal. Jerome Johnston kicked towards Laverty who caught the ball in his chest but only for a millisecond as possession was moved Ryan Johnston, who bore down on keeper Gary McMahon, for a magnificent goal.
Rooney followed up with his second point as Kilcoo looked to flex their muscles but Donagh McAleenan and Alan Davidson (free) hit back to cut the half-time lead to two points - 1-05 to 0-06.
Devlin’s free in the 33rd minute put a goal between the teams and there was still three separating them as the game entered the last ten minutes, with Niall McGovern and Paddy Murdock pointing for CPN, while Rooney’s third and Doherty’s second kept Kilcoo ahead.
But Warrenpoint showed grit and determination and Alan Davidson displayed nerves of steel in the final few minutes to convert two frees and a cracking 45’ to send the game into extra-time on a 1-08 to 0-11 scoreline.
The aggressive Magpies looked to have killed the game off with a flurry of points in the first period of extra-time from Paul Devlin, Ryan Johnston, Tiernan Fettes and Eugene Branagan, but in the second half of extra-time Davidson and Devlin exchanges frees to make it a one-point game in the final minutes.
But despite Warrenpoint throwing everything they had and it becoming tense, it was Kilcoo who have defended their first of three titles.
Kilcoo: Niall Kane, Niall Branagan, Ryan McEvoy, Macdarragh Hynes, Anthony Morgan, Darryl Branagan, Miceal Rooney (0-03), Aaron Morgan, Dylan Ward, Celium Doherty (0-02), Ryan Johnston (1-01), Shealan Johnston (0-01), Conor Laverty, Jerome Johnston, Paul Devlin (0-04, 0-3 frees).
Subs: Tiernan Fettes (0-01) for N Branagan (47’), Eugene Branagan (0-01) for J Johnston (53’), Sean Og McCusker for Laverty (60’), J Johnston for R Johnston (67’), Macdarragh Hynes for M Rooney (70’), Laverty for S Johnston (79’).
Cumann Pheadair Naofa: Gary McMahon, Peter Sweeney, John Boyle, Ruairi McGivern (0-01), Ryan Boyle, Cormac McCartan, Donagh McAleenan (0-02), Ruairi McCormack (0-01), Jamie Grant (0-01 mark'), Niall McCartan, Alan Davidson (0-06, 0-3 frees, 0-1 45'), Eoghan Byrne, Niall McGovern (0-02), Paddy Murdock (0-01), Sean O’Hare.
Subs: Aaron Darcy for N McCartan (41’), Aaron Magee for O’Hare (47’), Ross McGarry for E Byrne (47’), Jamie Lynch for D McAleenan (56’), Conor Madden for N McGovern (60 +2), S O’Hare for Sweeney (63’), Jack Howlett (0-01) for Murdock (67’), Eoin Carr for R McGivern (73’).
Referee: Darren O’Hare (Burren)
