Extra-time victory is so appealing for Islandeady

IFC Quarter-final replay

Islandeady 2-21 (AET)

Kiltane 2-13

Paul O’Malley in Parke

There have been many occasions in the past two weeks when Islandeady’s 2026 Intermediate campaign looked to have been at an end.

The first scare came when they were outright defeated by Kiltane in controversial and now infamous circumstances on the first day out between the two sides. The prevalence of common sense in the situation brought about a replay that was hotly contested last Saturday in Parke.

Once again, the concession of two goals in the first half and an abundance of wides meant Islandeady had their weight pressed fully on the trapdoor ready to burst open and send them tumbling out of the Championship only for a magic moment from Brendan Gibbons, a goal, sending the game to extra-time.

This time, with no questions over the number of playing personnel out on the pitch for the extended period, Islandeady triumphed and triumphed well; an eight-point victory against Kiltane who were running on fumes at this point and who, incidentally, ended the match with 14 men on the pitch following a red card to Josh Carey. Seamie Lally was mercurial for Islandeady and his second half extra-time goal was richly deserved, coming at the end of a famous victory that will have to be quickly cherished with Davitts waiting in the wings.

It was looking ominous for Islandeady in the first half of normal time. From the start, Kiltane got forward and opened the scoring through Johnny Deane. Islandeady would take a brief lead, the only advantage they would hold until extra-time came about, with quickfire points from Darragh Joyce, a free, and Ryan McNamara.

The game was 6 minutes old when Kiltane scored the opening goal. Liam Donoghue’s pass from the stand side found Martin Gallagher at the D. He played a ball inside to Ultan Corrigan who laid it off to Josh Carey who finished in front of goal.

Carey then hit the post from a free kick before nailing one from closer range. Islandeady were having no luck as Joyce fired wide and keeper Bryan O’Flaherty sent a 45 wide of the post. With 17 minutes played, Kiltane were in again despite a man disadvantage following James Conroy’s black card after 15 minutes. This time, Mikie Sweeney turned over Darragh O’Malley high up the pitch and played it to Charlie Ginnelly. Ginnelly spun away from Jack Carney and fired under the outstretched leg of O’Flaherty.

Islandeady responded quickly through Joyce from play but the poor shooting fortune continued as McNamara rattled the crossbar from a potential two-point free kick. They got a bit of luck at last as Darragh Joyce got a fist to Zac Collins shot-cum-pass to put the ball over the bar. McNamara got his second point at long last before Carey and Ginnelly scored points to keep Kiltane ticking over.

Collins gathered Levi Barrett’s shot that dropped short and popped it over before Darragh Carey’s two-point free made it a two-goal game at the break, 2-6 to 0-6 in favour of Kiltane.

The opening five minutes of the second half belonged to the Green and White as Collins, McNamara and Darragh O’Malley scored three points to put a goal between the sides. Kiltane were already looking a bit leggy but Rory Ginty scored a pair of points to extend the lead once more.

O’Flaherty’s second effort at a 45 on the day yielded a point while Seamie Lally scored a marvellous two-pointer to really keep the faith alive for his side. Kiltane captain Owen Doherty scored from play and Collins responded. It was a back-and-forth game now as Ginty scored a third for Kiltane and then O’Malley and Joyce scored for Islandeady either side of a Josh Carey free.

The game rolled into injury time and it was looking too little, too late for Islandeady as Josh Carey turned and fired over a point under pressure. The curtains were almost drawn until Zac Collins unleashed a shot that dipped away from goal and into the outstretched arms of Brendan Gibbons, who blasted the ball into the net and the game into extra time.

The extra-time scoreline of 1-6 to 0-1 told its own story in terms of the level of energy left in both teams. Kiltane, who had come into the game minus key men such as Tommy Conroy and Ben Donoghue, were feeling the strain of two extra-time outings in a week and mustered their one and only score through Ultan Corrigan. A red card to Josh Carey before full-time added insult to the injury of the eight-point defeat.

Islandeady were buzzing now and points from Seamie Lally, Joyce and McNamara gave them a cushion coming into the second half of the extra period. Gibbons added two points and McNamara got another. Mark Kerby set up McNamara for an effort on goal that Darragh Carey saved well but Lally was on hand to tidy up and put the game beyond doubt for Islandeady.

Davitts is up next for Islandeady, who face into a quick turnaround and recovery following two, hard-fought games that went to extra-time.

Scorers. Islandeady: Seamie Lally 1-1-1 (1’2p), Brendan Gibbons 1-0-2, Ryan McNamara 0-0-5 (2f), Darragh Joyce 0-0-4 (2f), Zac Collins 0-0-3 (1f), Darragh O’Malley 0-0-2, Bryan O’Flaherty 0-0-1 (’45) Kiltane: Josh Carey 1-0-4 (2f), Charlie Ginnelly 1-0-1, Rory Ginty 0-0-3, Darragh Ginty 0-1-0 (1’2pf), Owen Doherty, Johnny Deane and Ultan Corrigan 0-0-1 each.

Islandeady: Bryan O’Flaherty: Jack Carney, Peter Gordon, Ciaran Burke: Seamie Lally, Diarmuid Gibbons, Andrew Gallagher: Peter Collins, Darragh O’Malley: Ryan McNamara, Zac Collins, Levi Barrett: Ewan McGowan, Darragh Joyce, Brendan Gibbons. Subs: Cailin Joyce (for McGowan 40), Paul Corcoran (for Gallagher 65), Mark Kerby (for D Gibbons 68), Sean Collins (for O’Malley 74).

Kiltane: Darragh Carey: Owen Doherty, Shane Gallagher, James Conroy: Martin Gallagher, Cathal Carey, Sean Gaughan: Rory Ginty, Liam Donoghue: Johnny Deane, Mikie Sweeney, Mikie Conroy: Ultan Corrigan, Josh Carey, Charlie Ginnelly. Subs: Conor Conmey (for Donoghue 19), Liam Donoghue (for Gaughan 51), Kian Carey (for Conmey 56), Michael Needham (for J Conroy 58), Sean Gaughan (for M Conroy 78).

Ref: Paul Lydon