Kilmeena surge past Burrishoole to earn local bragging rights

MAYO INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Kilmeena 3-17

Burrishoole 1-11

In Kilmeena

THE western tribes gathered near the shores of Clew Bay on Saturday evening to witness the battle between Kilmeena and Burrishoole. A huge crowd streamed into St Brendan's Park from early evening and when the teams emerged, the pictureque ground was packed to overflowing.

The meeting between neighbouring clubs had been the topic of conversation since the draw was made and everything was in place for a blockbuster.

Burrishoole had the wind on their backs in the opening half and tore into every tackle like tigers. It took Kilmeena some time to settle, but the home side played their way into the game and kept their guests within reach as the first half played out.

Burrishoole knew they had to build a substantial lead, given the strength of the wind and they were bouncing across the ground every time the ball went forward.

Caolan Moran, Adam Reihill, Colin Guilfoyle and Fintan McManamon all found the target before a brace of two-pointers before the break from James McManamon and Moran left them with eleven points on the scoreboard.

At the other end, Kilmeena had worked hard and points from Ronan O'Donnell, Darragh Keaveney and Darragh Slattery kept them ticking over before goalkeeper Paul Groden raised a huge cheer with a long-range point just before the break.

Burrishoole were five points clear at that stage, but the home side soon went about dismantling that advanatge in the second period.

A stream of points arrived and with team captain Jack Mulchrone driving them forward Kilmeena were soon back on terms, before a Keaveney free nudged them in front after 42 minutes,

Then, Damien Egan's men cut loose. Liam Moore lashed home a goal and seconds later dynamic corner-forward Daniel Kelly landed a beauty in the roof of the net. That left the home boys 2-12 to 0-11 clear and on the way to victory.

Burrishoole needed a response and got it eight minutes from the end when Adam Reihill got on the end of an Alan Ryder pass to slide the ball to the net.

However, Kilmeena refused to budge and with Ciaran Kilcoyne excellent at full-back they powered forward again.

Aaron Murray, Kelly, Slattery, Moore and Cormac O'Malley all added points and Kelly blasted home a goal to cap his sparkling championship debut in fine style.

Full report and reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.