Killucan's two-pointers get them over the line against Caulry

Killucan 0-17, Caulry 2-9

A new championship season began on Friday evening with new playing rules, and the value of the two-pointer proved crucial as Killucan overcame Caulry in the opening round of the Senior Football Championship at Moynihan Park, Ballynacargy on Friday.

It wasn’t spectacularly entertaining, but the sheer class of two terrific long-range kicks from Sami Clarke (free off the turf) and substitute Devin Hill were the exception. Clarke’s came in the 52nd minute after Caulry were penalised for a breach of the new ‘three up’ rule, and Hill, who was only on four minutes, kicked a wonderful two-pointer from play in the second minute of added time.

The spotlight was very much on the enhanced playing rules, Caulry’s lapse in conceding a scoring chance for failing to keep their three players forward proving a costly error. A tenacious Killucan side parted company with manager Barry Downey after winning the Division 2 League title, but it was only missed scoring chances that kept them waiting so long before they eventually took control of this first-round tie on a pristine Moynihan Park surface.

Caulry, who led by five points after eight minutes, lost chiefly because of turnovers – they were far too sloppy in possession and too often the final pass went astray. Defeat in such a tight Section ‘B’ leaves Pat Flanagan’s men in early trouble, while Killucan, who have Conor Jordan and Frank Boyle at the helm only a matter of weeks, have the perfect start under their belts.

It was 1-5 to 0-8 at the break, after Caulry’s Harry Stuart-Trainor flicked home a goal in the sixth minute when Shane Lawless carved an opening. Killucan trailed 0-1 to 1-3, but won the next 24 minutes (including added time) 0-8 to 0-2, as they turned this contest around with a gritty collective effort.

Caulry looked in trouble and a protracted stay in the dressing room didn’t inspire a change. Half-time substitute Colin Murphy made an impact with 1-1, but they were error-ridden, their passing neither crisp nor accurate, and could have no complaints at the outcome.

Killucan, obdurate in defence where Luke Darby and Sam Smyth gave away little when the long ball was played in and forced turnovers at different times, were deserving winners on the evening. Shane Lawless, Alan Malynn (who blazed over a potential goal chance), and Sean Clinton got three decent Caulry scores as they took a grip, but they lost their way after that promising opening. Sean Leech, on 16 minutes, and Andrew Flood – a wonderful point with the outside of the right peg – got Killucan motoring, and Sami Clarke added 0-3 (two frees) to level it by the 25th minute.

Alan Malynn and Clarke traded two-point frees before the interval, and midfielder Eoin Keyes soloed forward to fist over, putting Killucan ahead for only the second time. Caulry’s second goal came on 44 minutes as Lawless played a ball across the square where Colin Murphy got the final touch, making it 2-6 to 0-10.

Killucan wondered how they were trailing, their inaccurate shooting clearly a factor, but Caulry conceded a free for a breach of the new ‘three up’ rule on 51 minutes and Clarke went for a two-pointer which he duly converted to level matters, 2-7 to 0-13. Murphy and midfielder Stephen Connolly – with a fine kick from over 35 metres – shot points to leave Caulry two clear. Crucially, Tadgh Baker was denied a goal in the 54th minute before Leech showed strength and skill to take on the defender and fire over for Killucan. The latter then brought his side level on 58 minutes.

With the outcome in the balance as both sides battled fiercely for the winner, Devin Hill emerged as the hero with a sublime two-pointer from over 40 metres.

Scorers – Killucan: S Clarke 0-9 (2 2ptfs, 4f); S Leech 0-4; D Hill 0-2 (2pt); A Flood and E Keyes 0-1 each. Caulry: C Murphy 1-1, A Malynn 0-4 (one 2pt f; 1f), H Stuart-Trainor 1-0, S Clinton 0-2, S Lawless and S Connolly 0-1 each.

Killucan: David Bryan; Luke Darby, Sam Smyth, Andrew Flood; Cormac Boyle, Jamie Mulkearns, Adam Smyth; Rory Keyes, Eoin Keyes; Conor McKeogh, Sami Clarke, Eamonn Cunneen; Callum McKeogh, Sean Leech, Eoghan Ahearn. Subs: David Weir for Boyle (46), Conor Leech for Ahearn (51), Winston Larkin for Conor McKeogh and Devin Hill for Cunneen (57).

Caulry: Jack Connaughton; Glenn Carolan, Kevin Maguire, Sean Clinton; Tadhg Baker, Eoghan Grennan, Oisin Shortall; Stephen Connolly, Harry Stuart Trainor; Neil Clinton, Damien Dolan, Shane Lawless; Tiarnán O’Donovan, John Maguire, Alan Malynn. Subs: Colin Murphy for J Maguire (h-time), Sean Murphy for Grennan (53).

Ref: Brendan Keena (Ballynacargy).