Ballybay 1-07 Kilcoo 2-14
All-Ireland champions Kilcoo moved a step closer to a third consecutive Ulster Club SFC title with a hugely impressive double-scores win over Ballybay in Clones.
Ballybay went into the game on the back of taking the scalp of Crossmaglen in the opening round, but this one proved beyond their reach, as a slick Kilcoo side reminded all pretenders to the throne that they will once again take some stopping.
Kilcoo were full value for their three-point interval lead, having played into the breeze, before goals by Ryan Johnston and Míceál Rooney book-ended a composed second-half performance by the Magpies.
Down man Mark Doran took sole charge of Ballybay in the absence of Jerome Johnston Snr but his fellow county-men called on all their experience and running power to kickstart their title defence.
Converted frees by Jerome Johnston (mark), Paul Devlin and goalkeeper Niall Kane got Kilcoo off to a strong start, before Ceilum Doherty kicked the only score from play of the opening quarter to move them four clear.
A Thomas Kerr '45 belatedly got Ballybay off the board on 12 minutes and they were suddenly back on level terms when Shane McGuinness coolly tucked away his second penalty in two games, but an inspirational point from Ryan McEvoy helped ensure that Kilcoo would never trail in this game.
Further points from Ryan Johnston, Aaron Branagan and McEvoy extended Kilcoo’s lead and although Colm Lennon got Ballybay’s first point from play in added time, the holders changed ends ahead by 0-08 to 1-02.
A trademark Paul Finlay effort brought Ballybay back within two after the restart, but Kilcoo pushed on when a sharp lay-off from Conor Laverty sent Ryan Johnston through to crash a powerful shot to the net.
Finlay and Ciarán Galligan kept the Monaghan champions in touch, but Devlin, Aaron Branagan and Doherty replied to double Kilcoo’s advantage to six.
Aaron Toner rifled a goal-attempt over the bar as Ballybay chased a way back into the game, but Laverty point made him Kilcoo’s ninth scorer of the afternoon and they put the game beyond reach late on when a slick move through the hands of Seán Óg McCusker and Ryan Johnston teed up Rooney to palm home their second goal.
Devlin added a brace of superbly struck placed kicks (a free and a ’45) as Kilcoo powered through to a provincial semi-final against Enniskillen Gaels.
Ballybay: Julius Sniauksta; Michael Hannon, Tiernan McSkean, Eoin McKearney (Capt.); Ryan Wylie, Colm Lennon (0-1), Shane Monaghan; Dessie Ward (0-1f), Drew Wylie; Ciarán Galligan (0-1), Shane McGuinness (1-0, pen), Thomas Kerr (0-1, '45); Daniel Caraher; Paul Finlay (0-2, 1f), Christopher McGuinness.
Subs: Aaron Toner (0-1) for Caraher (H-T); Brent Wylie for Monaghan (50); Paddy O’Neill for McKearney (56); Shane McQuillan for Finlay, Thomas Keenan for D Wylie (both 60).
Kilcoo: Niall Kane (0-1f); Aaron Branagan (0-2), Ryan McEvoy (0-2, 1f); Niall Branagan; Míceál Rooney (1-0), Darryl Branagan, Anthony Morgan; Dylan Ward, Aaron Morgan; Ceilum Doherty (0-2), Ryan Johnston (1-1), Shealan Johnston; Paul Devlin (0-4, 3f, 1 ’45), Jerome Johnston (0-1m), Conor Laverty (Capt., 0-1).
Subs: Tiernan Fettes for Anthony Morgan (39); Seán Óg McCusker for Doherty (51); Aidan Branagan for N Branagan (58); Macdarragh Hynes for Rooney, Christopher Rooney for R Johnston (both 60).
Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh).
