Relentless Kiltane refuse to be beaten in championship sizzler in Parke

MAYO INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Parke 2-15

Kiltane 3-17

In Parke

WHAT is it about Kiltane and championship football? They just love it. When championship Sunday's come around the Erris men embrace it like few others.

In Parke this afternoon, they were seven points down and a man down early in the second half, yet the team in blue and gold refused to die and took almost complete control of matters from there to the finish. They blitzed the home side and turned a seven-point deficit into a five point win with a sparkling offensive display.

Parke were the better team in the opening half and led 1-8 to 1-6 at the interval despite kicking a stream of wides. The home side wasted a number of gilt-edged chances after a goal from Dara Neary in the sixth minute had given them a great platform.

Points did arrive from Ronan Carolan, Cathal Keaveney, Simon Cloherty, Evan Walsh and impressive wing-back Colm Lynch but Kiltane, powered by the hugely-impressive Liam Donoghue were never far away.

Mikie Sweeney and Ultan Corrigan were using all their experience up front, Owen Doherty was impressing at the back while John Ginty, Darragh Carey and Ben Donoghue kicked classy points. The goal Kiltane required was delivered by Mayo U-20 Josh Carey and Martin Gallagher saw another Kiltane goal chance brilliantly deflected over the crossbar by Parke defender Cian Lynch after 19 minutes.

Parke began the second half explosively. Cathal Keaveney and Evan Walsh kicked points and Neary blasted home his second goal of the day to leave the home side seven clear. Kiltane were also reduced to 14 men at that stage when Cathal Carey was sin-binned. It seemed all over – but nothing could be further from the truth.

Shane Lindsay's men drew a line in the sand and refused to fade away.

Goalkeeper Darragh Carey kicked a '45 to begin the fightback and with Liam Donoghue ruling the roost in the middle of the field the Erris men began to roll.

The gap had been closed to a single point after 44 minutes and when Ben Donoghue sent a screamer to the net the Erris men had hit the front. Aaron McHale, Evan Walsh and talented substitute Darragh Reilly hit back for the home side and with six minutes left the sides were level at 2-14 apiece.

However, that was as good as it got for the hosts and Kiltane hit for home.

Josh Carey dropped a long-range free in the square and when the ball ended up in the net, the Kiltane supporters nearly lifted the roof off the stand.

Mike Doran and Carey stretched the lead to five as time ticked away and that was the end of the affair. Kiltane had defied the odds yet again and headed for home with a precious championship win in their cargo.

A full report and after-match reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.