Billie Joe PaddenKiltimagh staged a remarkable comeback to grab a share of the spoils in this rip-roaring championship tie against Belmullet on Sunday. Last years county junior champions and All-Ireland finalists looked dead and burried at half-time as they trailed by nine points, plus being a man down as forward Sean Malee received a straight red card just before the interval. But in true Kiltimagh fashion they refused to throw in the towel and slowly but surely they ate into the Belmullet lead. With six minutes remaining they had turned a nine-point deficit into a one-point lead and looked on course to record a sensational victory. However, a late Billy Joe Padden point for the home side gave them a draw and a result no one could fault.
In the opening half Belmullet were just awesome. From the word go they took the game to their  opponents and after two early points from Andrew Howard and Billy Joe Padden they scored their only goal from the penalty spot in the eighth minute. The penalty was awarded after Johnny Donohue was fouled inside the square and Shane Nallen duly converted it.
It was 14 minutes into the game before Kiltimagh opened their account with a pointed free by John McNicholas. Although Thomas Keegan added a second moments later, it was the home side hit back in style with four unanswered points from Donohue (two), Howard and Padden.
Conor Heneghan and Padden exchanged points before Kiltimagh were hit a real body blow with the sending off of Malee. The half was brought to a close with another point from Padden to leave Belmullet leading 1-9 to 0-3.
Although playing with a man down, Kiltimagh started the second half in great style by scoring three points, two from Michael Schlingermann and one from Brian Gallagher.
Belmullet's opening score of the half didn't arrive until the 44th minute - a point from Stephen Carolan. However, Kiltimagh upped the ante and points from McNicholas and Aiden Lydon arrived before they were awarded two penalties in as many minutes, both of which were dispatched to the back of the net by John McNicholas.
The first came in the 49th minute when McNicholas himself was fouled and the second was for a foul on Noel Lydon.
So, from nowhere and against all the odds, Kiltimagh found themselves a point in front.
But the home side blushes were saved when Padden came to the rescue to score the equaliser minutes from time.
Belmullet themselves were then reduced to 14 players when Gerry Barrett received a straight red. However, there was no other score, which left the sides with a share of the spoils.
It was a fitting result to a great game.

Belmullet 1-11
Kiltimagh 2-8

Scorers for Belmullet: B.J. Padden 0-6, S. Nallen 1-0, A. Howard 0-2, J. Donoghue 0-2, S. Carolan 0-1.
Scorers for Kiltimagh: J. McNicholas 2-2, M. Schlingermann 0-2, T. Keegan, C. Heneghan, A. Lydon and B. Gallagher 0-1 each.
Belmullet: D. Padden, L. Donoghue, C. Barrett, R. McIntyre, S. Barrett, C. Barrett, P. Barrett, B.J. Padden, Paddy Barrett, M. Conroy, G. Barrett, S. Carolan, J. Donoghue, S. Nallen, A. Howard.
Sub used: D. Doherty.
Kiltimagh: I. Curry, D. Gallagher, J. Murtagh, A. Carroll, M. Schlingermann, C. Heneghan, A. Lydon, T. Morley, P. Regan, S. Malee, J. McNicholas, L. Lydon, B. Gallagher, N. Lydon, T. Keegan.
Subs used: P. Larkin and K. Lydon.
Referee: Mel Kenny (Westport).