Mayo JFC: Ardagh hold firm in face of late Kilmovee comeback
Hosts Ardagh ran out narrow winners over Kilmovee Shamrocks on a 2-12 to 1-14 scoreline in the quarterfinal of the Mayo GAA Treanlaur Catering Exclusive Junior Football Championship, writes Reuben Gillespie.
The visitors took the match right down to the wire before Ardagh prevailed to advanced to the semi-finals.
Ardagh wasted no time in making their intentions clear as main man James Carr won possession from the hop and proceeded to drive right through the heart of the visitors’ back line before pointing to open the scoring. Youngster Tony Carey doubled their advantage moments later, jinking on to his right foot and scoring a beautiful point.
Peter Horan gave Shamrocks their first score of the game through a close-range free but celebrations were short lived as Carey replied quickly for Ardagh, rounding the 'keeper and finishing smartly, clinching the first goal of the tie on 10 minutes.
Horan converted another free for Kilmovee but Tony Carey once again found himself in on goal from the ensuing kick-out. This time, however, Kilmovee 'keeper Killian Golden denied him.
Carey added two more points for his side, one from play and one a free, before Paddy Walsh pushed their lead out further, the scoreboard now reading 1-5 to 0-2.
Kilmovee missed a number of chances, and that would prove vital in the end. Ardagh remained avid and were getting great joy from the wind, which was a prevalent factor in further points from Darach Gough and Lee Traynor.
Horan scored two more frees for the trailing side but Ardagh weren’t finished. Tony Carey ended up through on goal once again and this time he squared the ball to James Carr, who sold the 'keeper and finished into an empty net.
This left scoreline at half-time reading Ardagh 2-7, Kilmovee 0-4.
When the second half began it was Shamrocks’ turn to reap the benefits of the wind, and that they did.
Eoghain Duffy began the claw back with an impressive score. Free kick specialist Peter Horan then popped over an immaculate two-pointer. Carey responded at the other end but Peter Horan went on a tricky run for Kilmovee, scoring yet again.
Traynor struck a free for Ardagh but once again Peter Horan replied with an outstanding two-point free 10 minutes into the half.
The pressure was mounting on the hosts. Carey got another point and very nearly another goal, his effort striking the crossbar. It was retrieved by Traynor, whose own effort reverberated the upright.
After this let-off, Duffy scored his second point for Kilmovee, leaving it 2-9 to 0-11 heading into the final 10 minutes.
With tensions rising, Traynor turned his man and scored for Ardagh, providing momentary relief for the home side.
Kilmovee displayed brilliant determination in the clsoing stages, however. Horan scored two more points, one free and one an emphatic effort from play, narrowing the deficit.
With just minutes left on the clock, half-back Callum Sweeney was faced up with the Ardagh net and struck the ball home, bringing the match to level terms for the first time since the opening 30 seconds.
Momentum was now with Kilmovee Shamrocks and Ardagh needed a moment of brilliance. That moment came through Lee Traynor, who converted a fabulous two-point free from a challenging angle to give his team a two-point lead heading into the final moments (2-12 to 1-13).
Kilmovee continued knocking on the door and were awarded a close-range free. Peter Horan stepped up to the mark, striking off the ground, and the ball flew narrowly over the bar. The point would not be enough for his side and the final whistle confirmed Ardagh as winners after a great display of character, the final score reading 2-12 to 1-14.
*Read more in Tuesday's print edition of The Connaught Telegraph