Kilcoo 2-12 Burren 1-09
Kilcoo were crowned Down SFC champions for the 11th time in 12 years with a convincing win over a disappointing Burren.
Magpies manager Karl Lacey brought in the big guns with Down senior football manager Conor Laverty and Aaron Branagan making their first starts of the season, while Paul Devlin was another elder member who impressed in only his second game back this year.
Jim McCorry's Burren were caught a bit flat-footed it seemed and were tame against a ruthless and Kilcoo who showed their killer instinct.
Micheal Rooney’s goal early in the second half put the game beyond Burren and Paul Devlin’s converted penalty made sure the Frank O’Hare Cup was going back to where it has been over the past 12 months.
Rooney picked up player of the match, while Ryan McEvoy was tremendous at full-back, with Aaron Branagan and Laverty popping up everywhere to torment Burren.
Odhran Murdock, Gerard McGovern, Danny Magill, young Darra Mussen and Liam Kerr tried to bring the challenge to Kilcoo but only in fits and starts. It wasn’t the epic battle many assumed that would unfold and was a one-side affair.
Indeed, there was more drama before the game with the controversy over the referee appointment by the county board.
Burren grabbed the opening two point, Kerr and Mussen, before Kilcoo hit back with a ruthless six in a row. Shealan Johnston, Niall Kane (free), Aaron Morgan, Ryan Johnston, Aaron Branagan and Eugene Branagan were all on target before teenager Mussen’s second point on 25 minutes.
Kilcoo were in control as they led 0-08 to 0-03 at the break and player of the match award winner Rooney fired home a goal from close range on 39 minutes after watching the ball crash off the post.
Burren rallied and squandered a goal chance and Danny Magill was denied by keeper Kane, but it was Kilcoo who were in control. Odhran Murdock, substitute Ronan McGrath and Kerr tagged on scores for the St Mary’s side but Kilcoo always had the answers.
Paul Devlin, Miceal Rooney and Kane kept the scoreboard ticking over before Devlin’s converted penalty in additional time put the game beyond doubt.
Kilcoo await the winners of the Fermanagh championship to see who they face in Brewster Park in the Ulster Championship next month.
Kilcoo: Naill Kane (0-02, 0-1 free, 0-1 45’), Aaron Branagan (0-01), Ryan McEvoy, Eugene Branagan (0-01), Miceal Rooney (1-01), Darryl Branagan, Aaron Morgan, Ryan Johnston (0-01), Shealan Johnston (0-01), Jerome Johnston, Anthony Morgan, (0-01) Paul Devlin (1-04, 0-2 frees), Christopher Rooney, Ceilum Doherty.
Subs used: Sean Og McCusker for J Johnston (8’), McDarragh Hynes for E Branagan (33’), Jack Devlin for S Johnston (48’), Callum Rogers for C Rooney (58’), Nathan Rogers for Laverty (62’).
Burren: Kevin McKernan, Ryan Magill, Gerard McGovern, Ardan McEvoy, Paddy McCarthy, Paddy Burns, Peter Fegan, Odhran Murdock (0-02), Conail McGovern, Darra Mussen (0-02), Ryan Cunningham, Danny Magill, Donal O’Hare, Liam Kerr (0-03, 0-2 frees), David McEntee.
Subs used: Ronan McGrath (0-02) for C McGovern (24’), Paudie Poland for A McEvoy (42’), Shay McArdle for D McEntee (42’), Steven Feagan for R Cunningham (54’), Connor Murphy for Mussen (58’).
Referee: Brian Higgins (Annaclone).
