Late drama sees Cill Chomáin leave with a point
Burrishoole's Alan Ryder runs past Cill Chomáin's John Flannery. Pictures: Michael Donnelly
A dramatic finish in McGovern Park on Sunday evening saw Burrishoole and Cill Chomáin share the spoils in a thrilling championship clash. Despite leading by six points deep into injury time, Burrishoole were stunned by two late goals as Cill Chomáin escaped Newport with a draw but for all their heroics, Cill Chomáin will reflect on a game where wasteful shooting cost them dearly.
The opening half was a cautious affair, with both sides deploying sweepers to track the danger men, Justin Healy for Cill Chomáin and Adam Rehill for Burrishoole, and scores were hard-earned. Sean Irwin opened the account with a free for the visitors, while Fintan McManamon quickly replied at the other end.
Cill Chomáin’s first real goal chance came in the seventh minute when Justin Healy bore down on goal, only for Sean Hanley to produce a superb save. Loose passing blighted both sides, with turnovers regularly halting momentum. McManamon edged Burrishoole in front with a two-pointer before trading frees with Jack Healy. The game grew increasingly cagey, neither side willing to blink first.
As halftime approached, McManamon once again led from the front, and Caolan Moran’s late point gave Burrishoole a 0-6 to 0-3 advantage at the break.
The second half began at a blistering pace. Justin Healy and Sean Irwin pointed within two minutes to narrow the gap, but Burrishoole responded with an impressive seven-point burst without reply. McManamon struck again with another two-pointer, while Adam Rehill, who was kept quiet in the first half, sprang to life with a pair of brilliant scores, including a two-pointer that electrified the home crowd. James McManamon added another long-range effort as Liam O’Malley’s side surged into an eight-point lead.
At the back, David Nevin marshalled the Burrishoole defence superbly, clearing ball after ball and snuffing out danger. A Jack Healy free kept Cill Chomáin in touch before Aaron McDermott’s black card in the 45th minute handed them a potential lifeline. They capitalised with quick scores from Jack Healy and Adam Connor, only for McManamon to deliver once more, this time with the score of the day, another two-pointer to restore daylight.
Derek Moran added two frees late on, but as the clock ticked past 60 minutes, Burrishoole still held a five-point cushion and looked certain to close the game out.
That sense of control vanished in an instant. First, James McManamon picked up a second yellow card in the 62nd minute, reducing Burrishoole to 14 men. Moments later, Michael O’Malley pushed them six clear with a point, seemingly sealing the win. But Cill Chomáin weren’t finished. Substitute Moran found the net after good work from Jack Healy in the 64th minute, cutting the deficit to three.
Burrishoole had the chance to kill the game when awarded a late free, but McManamon, who was so reliable all evening, uncharacteristically kicked wide. From the next attack, Gerard Ruddy pounced, slotting home an inch-perfect finish to level the game at the death. Tempers flared in the aftermath, but referee John Brennan’s final whistle confirmed a draw after a dramatic evening of football.
