Second-half transformation sees Kilmeena torpedo Leitrim visitors

Connacht Club IFC quarter-final 

Kilmeena 4-18  

Annaduff 0-8 

Patrick Hennelly at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar 

The Kilmeena odyssey continued its adventure at MacHale Park on Sunday afternoon as a second-half bombardment by the White and Black derailed Annaduff’s hopes of causing a major upset.

The Leitrim side led 0-7 to 0-5 at the break, however, John Reilly’s Kilmeena troops emerged for the second-half with renewed vigour and enthusiasm and produced a sparkling 30 minutes of awesome attacking football to outscore their opponents by a remarkable 24 points in that half alone.

Whatever Annaduff’s second-half game plan was, it never materialised and they could only muster a single score during the second period as the Leitrim side ran badly out of steam.

Kilmeena notched the first score of the opening half courtesy of John McGlynn, who seems to be hitting top form at the right time of the season. But the Leitrim response was instantaneous as Darren Cox struck over a delightful single and the sides were level pegging after just one minute of action.

Annaduff didn’t seem to be overawed at facing such seasoned campaigners and the Leitrim outfit attacked in waves which resulted in some fine scores by Darren Cox, a free, and Ray Cox on three and eight minutes respectively. Indeed, sandwiched in between those brace of Annaduff points, Joe Cox’s charges could well have bagged two goals. Firstly, Ray Cox’s attempt at a point came back off the post and fell to Alan Glancy, who unfortunately picked the ball up off the ground before drilling the ball to the back of Paul Groden’s net, and a Kilmeena free was the end result. Secondly, Darren Cox’s probing free-kick delivery for Annaduff caused mayhem in the Mayo side’s goal area, before the danger was eventually diverted behind for a ’45.

On 11 minutes, the Maroon and Yellow finally had some luck in front of goal when Darren Cox struck over a marvellous long-range free to forge a three point gap between the sides (0-4 to 0-1).

John Reilly’s Kilmeena were struggling to get out of the blocks and when Darren Cox, from a free, and Ray Cox, from a mark, guided over dead-ball efforts, one wondered if a seismic shock was on the cards as the game entered its 20th minute. However, the experienced Kilmeena warriors didn’t panic and they gradually clawed their way back into the tie, with a free from McGlynn setting the wheels in motion for a positive end to the first-half for both he and his team-mates.

A marvellous point on the wing by Keith Joyce on 23 minutes was buttressed with another Kilmeena point, this time from Darragh Keaveney and the White and Black were now rocking.

Indeed, the St Brendan’s Park men could well have plundered a major on 25 minutes, but McGlynn’s effort was blocked by the feet of Caolan Quigley.

Soon after, Keaveney landed a peach of a long-range pointed free, but it was the Shannonsiders who had the final say in the half, as Darren Cox’s late free ensured a 0-7 to 0-5 interval lead for Annaduff.

The Kilmeena half-time pep-talk worked wonders, as the West Mayo men torpedoed their opponent’s game plan by notching 1-2 during the opening two minutes of the new half. A brace of points from Caolach Halligan (one free) was followed up with a well-drilled green-flagged effort by the same player and suddenly the Mayo intermediate champions led 1-7 to 0-7.

The Annaduff dream was unravelling, as the Leitrim side struggled to get some respite.

Points from Kilmeena’s McGlynn and Ryder, on 36 and 37 minutes respectively, bridged further distance between the sides and there was no simply stopping the Kilmeena tidal wave, with the White and Black notching a crucial second goal on 41 minutes. Half-time substitute Liam Moore spotted the hovering Halligan and after collecting Moore’s raking delivery, Halligan’s perfectly placed finish rustled the back of Quigley’s net.

Further Kilmeena points flowed as Halligan and a monstrous long-range effort from Keaveney kept the umpires busy.

The Annaduff game plan was now at sixes and sevens, with the remainder of the game being a damage limitation exercise for the plucky Shannonsiders – who trailed 2-11 to 0-7 after 44 minutes.

A ruthless Kilmeena refused to step off the gas and a further two points from Keaveney, including a free, and converted frees by Halligan and Darragh Slattery were warmly greeted by the West Mayo faithful.

The Annaduff supporters finally had something to cheer about during what was a very much a one-sided second-half, when their effervescent centre-forward Darren Cox popped over a free on 55 minutes – which was their only score of the second-half. However, that joy was short-lived, as down at the other end Halligan and Jack Carney combined, with the latter palming home a close-range finish to the back of the net.

Liam Moore’s point for John Reilly’s side proved to be the prelude to another Kilmeena goal on 59 minutes, when their raiding wing-back Niall Feehan guided home a seasoned finish.

Kilmeena completed the rout deep into injury-time, with late points from Sean Ryder and Slattery helping to bring the curtain down on what was an awesome second-half display.

Scorers – Kilmeena: Caolach Halligan 2-4 (0-2f), John McGlynn and Darragh Keaveney 0-5 (2f) each, Niall Feehan and Jack Carney 1-0 each, Sean Ryder 0-2, Keith Joyce and Liam Moore 0-1 each.

Annaduff: Darren Cox 0-6 (5f), Ray Cox 0-2 (1m).

Kilmeena: Paul Groden; Paddy Keane, John Keane, John Ryan; Niall Feehan, Stephen Staunton, Jack Mulchrone; Jack Carney, Kevin Ryder; Keith Joyce, Sean Ryder, Ronan O’Donnell; John McGlynn, Caolach Halligan, Darragh Keaveney.

Subs: Ciaran Kilcoyne (for Staunton 14, inj), Colin Hastings (for P Keane 19), Liam Moore (for O’Donnell ht), Darragh Slattery (for McGlynn 45, inj), Chris McGlynn (for J Keane 51).

Annaduff: Caolan Quigley; Kenny Cox, Dillon Keane, Keelan Lynch; Eoghan Ridge, Hugh Moylan, Conor Reynolds; Shane Morrison, Aaron Duignan; Eoin Gill, Darren Cox, Niall Quigley; Alan Glancy, Ray Cox, Dan Bosquette.

Subs: Jason Ward (for Gill 24), Tommie Taylor (for R Cox 45), Stephen Murray (for Duignan 53), Declan Gill (for K Cox 57).

REF: A Clogher (Roscommon)