Classy Kilmaine unleash the hounds and win big on home soil

MAYO INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Kilmaine 2-25

Louisburgh 1-12

In Kilmaine

THERE'S something about championship days in Kilmaine. The locals who inhabit the land of green fields and stone walls love to welcome guests into their impressive home ground and then unleash their proud young men in the famed green and red jerseys.

Louisburgh were the guests on Saturday evening and both teams needed victory. Nothing else would keep them in the championship. The Clew Bay men started well, but couldn't hold off the home boys and a disastrous five minutes before half-time left the visitors eight behind at the break.

Despite Louisburgh's best efforts, things got worse in the second half as Kilmaine's running game unleashed a stream of scores to leave them 16 points clear at the end.

Basil McLeod gave Louisburgh the dream start after two minutes when he crashed the ball to the net, but that was as good as it got for Eugene O'Toole's men.

The hugely impressive Adam Barrett showed why he's one of the best kickers in Mayo football with a couple of stunning two-pointers and with flying wing-back Luke Muniz in the throes of an outstanding performance the home side were level after 15 minutes.

Dylan Prendergast nudged Louisburgh back in front again, but Kilmaine hit the after-burners and with full-forward Kevin Mullin showing why he's so highly-rated the home side burst into a six-point lead 0-13 to 1-4.

Louisburgh urgently needed a response and got it when Oisin Lally landed a mighty two-pointer. However, Lally was sent off a minute later. There was no malintent whatsoever in his clash with Adam Barrett, but it was hard to argue with the red card flashed by Ronan Gurren, who had a very good day with the whistle.

Things went from bad to awful for the guests in the following moments as Muniz kicked a point and Barrett crashed home a penalty after he himself was fouled.

That left the home side 1-14 to 1-6 in front at the interval and on their way to victory.

Dylan Prendergast and Edward Ball kicked points early in the new half for Louisburgh but there was no holding Kilmaine.

They cut loose. Mullin, Adam Barrett, Rory Barrett and Muniz kicked points and Mullin ran 50 yards to plant the ball in the net to leave the home side 2-17 to 1-8 in front after 45 minutes.

Prendergast and McLeod replied with points as Louisburgh tried to get back into it, but Kilmaine were having none of it. Finn O'Loughlin and full-back Evan Heraty added their names to the scoresheet and Barrett kicked another two-pointer from way out the country as the scoreboard kept on moving.

The home side almost had a third goal before the end, but Matthew Kilcoyne pulled off a stunning triple save to eventually deflect Rory Barrett's effort over the bar.

Louisburgh had the last say with a Cian O'Malley point, but at that stage the home boys were in the winners circle after recording big victory on home soil.

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