Semi-Final
Kilmeena 1-13
Moy Davitts 0-13
Edwin McGreal
Islandeady
JUST eight months after being crowned All-Ireland Junior club champions, Kilmeena are on the brink of senior football.
The West Mayo men have taken no time at all to acclimatise to Intermediate football and are now just 60 minutes away from back to back Junior and Intermediate titles, a feat last accomplished by Breaffy in 2004.
They were full value for their win too in Islandeady this afternoon against a Moy Davitts team who did all in their power to forge a way back into this game.
Kilmeena took a 1-6 to 0-6 lead in at the break.
The goal came after 23 minutes when Jack Carney intercepted a stray pass around the middle, drove through and released Joey Smyth who finished to the net.
Three quickfire points in the first four minutes after half-time had Kilmeena six points up but Moy Davitts were back within two points by the three quarter mark.
Cian McHale was the key man in igniting the comeback with some exceptional scores. He kicked eight in total, half of them from play and the 18-year-old was a class act.
But Kilmeena protected their goal well while players like Jack Carney and Keith Joyce came up with big plays in the final quarter. They also welcomed back injured duo Conor Madden and Seán Ryder, Madden kicking an audacious point.
A Darragh Keaveney free on 64 minutes put them three clear and while Moy Davitts tried to fashion a late equalising goal, the closest they came was when the excellent Anthony Jordan saw his shot deflect wide.
Kilmeena
P Groden; J Mulchrone (0-1), J Keane, J Ryan; C Kilcoyne, S Staunton, C Hastings; J Carney, K Ryder (0-1); R O’Donnell (0-1), D Keaveney (0-5, 4fs, 1’45), K Joyce; L Moore (0-1), J McGlynn (0-1), J Smyth (1-2).
Subs used: C Madden (0-1) for Hastings (44 mins); S Ryder for McGlynn (48 mins).
Moy Davitts
C McGlynn; D Ruane, C Quinn, N Murphy; C Clarke, T Ruane, R Kenny (0-1); J Mulderrig, P Ruane (0-1); A Jordan (0-1), C Reid, M Babiarczyk; C McHale (0-8, 4fs), B Heneghan (0-2), L Byrne.
Subs used: O Quinn for Babiarczyk (36 mins); O McHugh for Mulderrig (39 mins).
Referee: L Devenney (Ballina)
