Late cup winner is Just-in time for Kilmore
Kilmore captain Sean Brogan throwing the Tonra Cup in celebration with his teammates. Picture: Colin Redmond
Justin Healy’s late stunner proved decisive for Kilmore as they captured the 2026 Tonra Cup at Umbro Park against Killala on Sunday afternoon.
After a drab opening spell, the game opened up in the second half and Kilmore took the lead with two quickfire goals coming in huge part to attacking left-back Colin Barrett. Killala fought back and were level with 15 minutes left on the clock but as extra time loomed, Healy hammered home the winner.
There was a dearth of chances in the opening 45 minutes with neither side conjuring a breakthrough. Both teams played narrowly and tried to progress through a congested middle of the pitch.
Justin Healy led the line for Kilmore and sent a shot flying left of the post and wide after 12 minutes while at the other end, Killala striker Tommy Muldoon had their best chance when he twisted and turned past two defenders but failed to get his shot away.
Kilmore were the more dominant team towards the end of the half and had two good opportunities. A cross flew by Mikey Monaghan and he could not provide the finish. Monaghan turned provider for the next chance which came to Joe Mason but he could not apply the decisive touch.
Sean Ruane’s side stretched the game in the second half and left-back Colin Barrett began to push further up the pitch. Five minutes into the second half, James Kelly played Barrett in down the flank and his cross was met by the head of Mikey Monaghan and although James Coen got a hand to the ball, it rattled the back of the net.
Monaghan was subbed off immediately following the goal and his replacement James Ivers won a free kick with his first touch of the ball high up on the left wing. Barrett sent the free kick into the box and a Kilmore head flicked it on and Ciaran Cawley applied the finishing touch to make it 2-0.
The game got heated in the sunshine as Killala looked for a way back into the game. Kilmore looked to slow things down but the opposition found a lifeline when Conor Tomas’ corner was bundled over the line. Wearing the number 50 jersey which was made to commemorate Killala’s 50th anniversary last year, Michael Corrigan got the touch to send it over the line and make it 2-1 with 15 minutes left to play.
The wind was in Killala’s sails and after 81 minutes they had their equaliser. Corrigan flicked the ball beautifully into the path of Rory Gallagher on the left wing. His low cross found Tommy Muldoon who held off the defender and found TJ Murphy with his pass. Murphy’s shot was accurate and made it 2-2.
Kilmore had been wounded but not down and out and soon restored their lead with five minutes left to play. Justin Healy rifled a shot towards goal from just outside the box to send the travelling crowd from Stadio Drum into raptures.
The temperature of the game got to Killala in injury time as they chased another equalising goal and they ended the day with nine-men. Both Conor Tomas and TJ Murphy were given their marching orders by referee Tom Jennings and time ran out for the depleted Killala.
The full-time whistle blew and Kilmore laid claim to the Tonra Cup for the first time since 2014.
Killala: James Coen, Daniel Walsh, Stephen Morrell, Mark Moyles, Aidan Ferguson, Nigel Lackey, Raymond Murphy, Fergal McHale, Tommy Muldoon, Conor Tomas, Michael Corrigan. Subs: TJ Murphy (for Walsh 56), Rory Gallagher (for Lackey 65), Noah Lynn (for Morrell 80).
Kilmore: Leo Reuland, Padraig McGinty, Colin Barrett, Patrick Sweeney, Ciaran Cawley, James Kelly, Sean Brogan, Joe Mason, Justin Healy, Mikey Monaghan, Dylan McAndrew. Subs: James Ivers (for Monaghan 51), Eoghan McGrath and Anthony Barrett (for Mason and Kelly 69), Darren McDonnell (for Cawley 78), Martin Mullarkey (for McGinty 84).
REF: Tom Jennings.
