Kilkerley Emmets begin Paddy Sheelan Cup with convincing victory over Clan na Gael

Kilkerley Emmets 6-11
Clan na Gael 2-5

Kilkerley Emmets began their Paddy Sheelan Cup campaign with this facile victory over Clan na Gael in Darver on Saturday, in a game where Ronan Greene’s charges showed no mercy as they went goal crazy, with several of their usual suspects sparkling.

Such suspects include potent pair Tadgh McEneaney and Michael Begley who finished with 3-5 of Kilkerley’s tally from 10 shots at the target between them in a clinical performance which had last year’s Intermediate semi-finalists in control by the time the side switched ends.

In the run to that semi final last year, Kilkerley rattled off five goals in a quarter final victory over Stabannon Parnells, with four of those goal scorers on target in this victory over the Clans.

Alongside McEneaney and Begley, the excellent Fintan Brady who finished with 30 possessions over the hour landed a major, as did Kieran Murtagh, two players who also majored in that victory over Stabannon last year.

In truth, Kilkerley had more of their first team players to call on than their opponents, with the Clans missing several players including Robbie Curran, Brian McDonnell, Billy Smyth, Sean O’Hanlon, as well as county man Conall McKeever of course.

While Sean O’Hanlon was absent due to injury, his younger brother Liam impressed on a difficult night for Alan O’Neill’s side, with the young forward firing to the back of the net early on, after collecting an impressive Gavin Gaffey pass, as the Clans led by 1-1 to 0-1 in the opening minutes, with Mark Newell finding the range from distance earlier.

However, that was as good as it got for the Dundalk side, as McEneaney and Begley found their groove, with two quickfire goals from McEneaney, giving his side a three point lead, before further striking from himself and Begley soon had Kilkerley ahead by 2-4 to 1-1 inside 20 minutes.

Kilkerley punched holes in that Clan's defence, as they got players behind the ball when the Dundalk side were in attack, before breaking at pace when they won it back, which led to Begley and McEneaney prospering inside, with a fine score from Conal Brady in the midst of this.

Kilkerley all but sealed victory when Micheal Begley capitalised on a defensive mix up to cheekily lob Clans keeper Cillian Rice, and after winning the next kickout, a goalmouth scramble saw Fintan Brady poke the ball home, after Rice had denied Micheal Begley, with Kilkerly showing no mercy, leading by 4-4 to 1-1.

Despite being depleted, the Clans did manage to finish the half on a high note, grabbing three out of the next four scores to break their scoring duck, with a sweetly struck mark from Mark McGeown followed up by a fine move involving Conor Noonan, which saw Aodhan Kirk convert from play, while Liam O’Hanlon (f) and Tadgh McEneaney traded points to leave it at 4-5 to 1-1 in Kilkerley’s favour at the break in a half where they managed 4-5 from 13 shots.

Second Half
The second half saw Kilkerley spring young players from the bench, one of whom Conan Fox who played a key role in his school Colaiste Rís’s recent North Leinster success, get his name on the scoresheet, as did Ewan McEntaggart who finished with 1-1 in a lively performance, which saw him play slightly deeper to leave McEneaney and Begley inside.

Kieran Murtagh calmly slotted home in a move which once again involved Fintan Brady, and at that stage the scoreline stood at 6-9 to 1-5, with Conal Brady also helping himself to another point, making the most of his licence to get forward, in a half which also saw fine strikes from Aaron Crawford and Kieran Murtagh.

The Clans, who arguably had the score of the half through a Gavin Gaffey effort from the angle, did finish off with a cheer, when Mark McGeown set up Paul Crewe to bag the Clans second major to put some respectability on the scoreline. It was a goal that Crewe’s efforts deserved, with himself and Noonan willing to carry the ball forward for the Clans at every opportunity, but it was Kilkerley who were deserving winners in a ruthless opening night for Ronan Greene’s side.

Kilkerley Emmets: Callum Mullholland; Kyle Cotter, Cillian Mulligan, Conal Brady (0-2); Aaron Crawford (0-1), Patrick Murtagh, Fintan Brady (1-0); Cathal Bellew, Kieran Bellew (1-1); Darragh Conlon, Brian Brady, Conal McEneaney; Tadgh McEneaney (2-3) (2f), Michael Begley (1-2), Ewan McEentaggart (1-1).
Subs: Conan Fox (0-1) for Conlon (HT), Andrew Thornton for Ewan McEntaggart (50), Ciaran Bellew for Brian Brady (53), Dean Murtagh for Tadgh McEneaney (54), Ultan McEneaney for Mullholland (54).

Clan na Gael: Cillian Rice; Conor Smith, Craig Callan, Kevin Carroll; Paul Crewe (1-0), Conor Noonan, Mark Lee; Jack Callan, Shay Coleman; John Byrne, Mark Newell (0-1), Gavin Gaffey (0-1); Mark McGeown (0-1) (1 mark), Liam O’Hanlon (1-1) (1f), Aodhan Kirk (0-1).
Subs: Gerry Curran for Smith (HT), Aidan O’Brien for Lee (HT), Sean Smyth for Rice (HT), Mark Lee for Newell (39).

Referee: Craig Kirwan (Wolfe Tones).