Darren Finn (Killucan) and Senan Lynam (Ballynacargy) chase down this ball. Photos: John McCauley

Keyes and Doyle strike late to win title for Killucan

ACFL Division 3 football final: Killucan 2-10, Ballynacargy 0-7

Gerry Buckley reports

Eoin Keyes and Killian Doyle, both very much to the fore earlier this year as Lake County hurlers, proved to be Killucan footballers’ super-subs in TEG Cusack Park last Friday evening, scoring a goal apiece in injury-time to copper-fasten their team’s Westmeath Division 3 league title by a flattering nine-point margin over Ballynacargy.

There was a slight delay to the throw-in due to a colour clash, with Killucan donning alternate white jerseys with a saffron trim. Despite calls for Ballynacargy to also change – as per regulations – they remained in their usual primrose and blue colours.

Two point exchanges had the sides level after eight minutes, the white flags being swapped by Jack Doran (after 90 seconds) and Sami Clarke, and Philip Price (a free) and Devin Hill. A free taken from the ground by Doran edged Bal’ ahead. A long-range Conor Jordan effort came back off the crossbar and, at the other end, a Darragh Keena ‘goal’ was disallowed for a ‘square ball’ offence.

In the 17th minute, Sean Leech was denied by astute goalkeeping from Tommy Nally, but there was no denying Stephen Morley’s charges the next three points from the boots of Darren Finn (a low-trajectory effort), Clarke and Hill (both from frees). Price doubled his tally in added-time, but his side still trailed by 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval.

In the 34th minute, Jordan doubled his team’s advantage at the end of a patient move. Jack Doran could have nudged the losers ahead, but his rasping shot came back off the crossbar. Hill (a free) and Tony Doran (despite stumbling as he shot) traded points.

Another Hill free put Killucan three points clear (0-8 to 0-5) before Ballynacargy’s woes were compounded by the black-carding of Willie Murtagh in the 46th minute. Clarke pointed for the winners after a Killian Doyle goalbound was only parried.

Killucan skipper Robbie Greville with the Division 3 cup.

Ironically, Frank Lynam’s 14 men reduced the deficit with a point apiece from sub Jack Penrose (a great angled shot) and Jack Doran (a routine free in the 53rd minute), but they failed to score in the time remaining. Clarke soon completed his points’ hat-trick from open play.

The losers could have equalized seconds into injury-time, but Tony Doran’s goal attempt was scuffed. There was late, late drama when Eoin Keyes availed of loose Bal’ defending to find the net from a tight angle. The resultant kick-out went astray and Doyle was on hand to bury the ball past Nally. Indeed, Finn could easily have raised another green flag with time almost up.

After the match, Frank Mescall, the chairman of the Westmeath County Board, presented the cup to the Killucan captain, Robbie Greville.

Scorers – Killucan: S Clarke (1f) and D Hill (3f) 0-4 each, E Keyes and K Doyle 1-0 each, C Jordan and D Finn 0-1 each. Ballynacargy: J Doran 0-3 (2f), P Price 0-2 (1f), T Doran and J Penrose 0-1 each.

Killucan: David Bryan; Shane O’Malley, Andrew Flood, Luke Darby; Sam Smith, Sean Quinn, Liam Beddows; Sean Leech, Robbie Greville; Sami Clarke, Conor Jordan, Jason Gorman; Darren Finn, Rory Keyes, Devin Hill. Subs used: Eoin Keyes for Gorman (39), Killian Doyle for Jordan (39), David Weir for O’Malley (49).

Ballynacargy: Tommy Nally; Conor Byrne, Eoin Nally, Conor Keena; Senan Lynam, Willie Murtagh, Niall Peyton; Tony Doran, Jason McKeon; Philip Price, Luke Price, Danny Scally; Darragh Keena, Jack Doran, Jude McGuinness. Subs used: Jack Penrose for McGuinness (h-t), Mark Murphy for D Keena (43).

Ref: Paul McCaughey (Milltown).