Gutsy win for understrength Barony men
A gutsy Kiltane claimed the spoils in what was a keenly contested clash at a damp and drizzly Foxford on Saturday evening.
Patrons were still making their way into the ground when Moy Davitts’ opened the scoring inside the first minute courtesy of a free from Liam Byrne.
Kiltane quickly levelled matters with a free of their own by Adam Carabine, however, another Moy Davitts free by Jamie Clarke was followed up with a goal for the Moy men on 10 minutes. Oisin McHugh played a neat pass into the path of Brian Heneghan and despite his effort hitting the post the poaching Alan Burke was on hand to fire the rebound to the back of the net. Points from Jamie Clarke (free) and Liam Byrne further stretched the hosts lead to six points, 1-4 to 0-1.
Kiltane regrouped and singles from Ben Donoghue (two) and Shane Gallagher (free) offered the visitors hope of a comeback. Indeed, Gallagher’s point was an impressive score as his effort was kicked into the teeth of a stiff breeze and somehow curled between the posts at the last second.
Moy Davitts were eager to utilise the strong breeze at their backs and they outgunned their visitors 0-3 to 0-1 during the final 10 minutes of the first half with points from Stephen Clarke, Liam Byrne (mark) and John Gilmore (free), greater than Adam Carrabine’s reply from the dead-ball.
However, the visitors very nearly pinched what would have been a morale boosting goal on 27 minutes, only for Chris McGlynn to produce a fine save to thwart John Ginty’s close-range palmed effort after some fine combination play involving Kiltane’s Nathan Ginnelly, Ben Donoghue and the effervescent Owen Doherty.
Kiltane’s John Ginty and his opposite number Cian McHale traded early second half singles, but the gutsy North Mayo men were beginning to gain a foothold on proceedings and points from Martin Gallagher and Ben Donoghue, were boosted by a Kiltane goal on 42 minutes. Martin Gallagher brilliantly fetched a route-one delivery and rounded Chris McGlynn, before tucking the ball home, thus levelling it at 1-8 apiece.
Moy Davitts very nearly fashioned an instant response when they manufactured a decent goal chance but the alert Kiltane full-back Shane Gallagher plucked possession in front of his goal to avert the danger.
In searching for the lead score once again, Moy Davitts very nearly conceded a second major on 47 minutes. Kiltane produced a spellbinding move which saw Charlie Ginnelly, Ginty and Anthony Coyle combine - with Ginnelly’s swerving strike diverted behind for a ‘45’.
A brave and understrength Kiltane dug deep and points from the deadly Ultan Corrigan (free) and Liam Donoghue on 50 and 51 minutes respectively, nudged the visitors in front on a score-line of 1-10 to 1-8. The Moy Davitts game plan suffered a further set-back during that same period when John Gilmore picked up a black card.
With just four minutes of normal time remaining, Kiltane’s Ultan Corrigan landed a massive point from a mark, which gave his team-mates some vital breathing space.
Moy Davitts tried their level best to get back into the tie, but the best that they could muster was a brilliantly taken free from Jamie Clarke and Kiltane held on to record a crucial and famous victory on their travels.
