In-form Kilkerley Emmets do just enough to overcome Young Irelands

CTI BUSINESS SOLUTIONS INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1

GROUP 3

Kilkerley Emmets 2-14 Dundalk Young Irelands 2-11

An important second half contribution from veteran Shane Lennon set Kilkerley Emmets on their way to a hard-fought victory over Dundalk Young Irelands at the home Dundalk Gaels, the Ramparts.

The former Louth star kicked a sensational point from the left sideline facing into the clubhouse end, in an encounter which saw Dundalk Young Irelands take the game to the team in yellow & blue, via some impressive doubling up in the tackle and forcing the opposition to cough up possession on a myriad of occasions, including 13 times in the first half.

Their forwards also posed a significant threat, with a Dean Maguire turnover setting up Cian O’Donoghue for a well taken point on the right-hand side, canceling out an early free from Tadhg McEneaney.

Either side of two further McEneaney free kicks, Cormac Bellew set up Fintan Brady for a fine kick with the outside of his right boot, giving Emmets a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 17 minutes.

Playing in a familiar midfield position with his club, Peter McStravick judged the wind perfectly with a free to stem the Kilkerley flow. Tadgh McEneaney managed to get the final touch to a Fionn Cumiskey kick into the square, to put a goal between the sides with 10 minutes of the first half remaining.

As threatening as their forward line can be, Kilkerley Emmets’ defence endured a torrid time, with the Dundalk side raising their first green flag when a fine move through the hands and through the centre involving Cian O’Donoghue and Ruari Kelly, saw Derek Maguire palm the ball to the net, to level things up at 0-5 to 1-2. Game on.

Young Irelands continued to bring that fight, and show the fire in their belly, with Mickey Mone and Liam McStravick asserting themselves, along with Dermot Mone playing in a deeper, defensive role.

A Jordan O’Donoghue free, and a well taken effort from the lively Dean Maguire which saw him combine with his brother Derek, etched their side ahead by two points approaching half time.

But all DYI’s hard work was blown away, when Kilkerley landed a sucker punch of their own, when a wonderful footpass from the increasingly influential Cathal Bellew (21 possessions), found youngster Cormac Mallow who finished cooly to the net, to seemingly give Kilkerley the upper hand heading into the break.

However, Young Irelands responded again, with Mickey Mone combining with Derek Maguire, who fed Peter McStravick for a lovely goal to swing the pendulum back in their favour in a crazy end to the half.

Two late points from Kilkerley’s Ewan McEnteggart and a cracker from first half sub Conor Quigley, who replaced the injured Brian Brady, meant that the sides were deadlocked at 2-4 to 1-7 at the interval.

Just after the restart both sides went score for score in a tit for tat encounter, with Young Irelands introducing the presence of James Prendergast into the full forward line at half time.

He levelled things up once again thanks to more good work from Dean Maguire and Jordon O’Donoghue, making it 1-9 to 2-6 inside 37 minutes.

What had preceded this was a trading of place balls from Tadhg McEneaney and O’Donoghue, along with a Michéal Begley effort for Kilkerley after a sublime solo dummy.

However, after DYI goalkeeper Fergal Sheekey spilled an Aaron Crawford long ball, Tadhg McEneaney poked the loose ball to the net, giving his side a crucial four-point buffer heading into the final 20 minutes.

Young Irelands refused to let the wind go out of their sails, as Cian O’Donoghue (mark), and Liam McStravick closed the gap to two points down the home straight, with the O’Donoghues’, Mark Gahan and Dean Maguire continuing to carry the fight to Kilkerley with further fine scores.

But Kilkerley sealed the deal with those late scores, thanks to that Maurice Fitzgerald like kick from Lennon, along with fellow subs Shaun McElroy and Conor Quigley.

It means they will play Hunterstown Rovers next week, with Young Irelands having to wait in the wings for their crack at Colm Donnelly’s side.

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Kilkerley Emmets: Ultan McEneaney; Cormac Bellew, Cillian Mulligan, Ronan Deery; Ciaran Clarke, Cathal Bellew, Kyle Cotter; Fintan Brady (0-1), Aaron Crawford; Fionn Cumiskey, Brian Brady, Ewan McEnteggart (0-1); Tadhg McEneaney (1-7, 0-5 frees 0-1 mark), Michéal Begley (0-1), Cormac Mallon (1-0). Subs: Conor Quigley (0-2) for Brian Brady (13), Shane Lennon (0-1) for Cumiskey (HT), James Fagan for Clarke (HT), Shaun McElroy (0-1) for Begley (39), Kieran Murtagh for McEnteggart (54).

Dundalk Young Irelands: Fergal Sheekey; Cian O’Nairaigh, Ciaran Murray, Conn O’Donoghue; Liam McStravick (0-1), Mickey Mone, Jamie Browne; Ruairi Kelly, Peter McStravick (1-1, 0-1 free); Dean Maguire (0-3), Jordan O’Donoghue (0-2 frees), Mark Gahan (0-1); Cian O’Donoghue (0-2, 0-1 mark), Derek Maguire (1-0), Dermot Mone. Subs: James Prendergast (0-1) for Mone (HT), Caolan McCabe for Kelly (43), Jack McArdle for Liam McStravick (55).

Referee: Colm McCullough (Naomh Fionnbarra).