Kildangan Beat Ballykelly in Tense Local Derby

Post date: May 8, 2016 11:35:50 PM

Kildangan had a dream start at Junior level defeated Ballykelly by 0-14 to 1-10 in the opening round of the Tom Cross Junior Football Championship in St. Conleth's Park, Newbridge on Sunday evening. Ballykelly came into the game with a good knowledge of what it takes to play at Junior level, while this was Kildangan's first venture into the grade since the club reestablished in 2001.Kildangan full forward Tom Moran opened the scoring with a point. Tom's son, Ryan, came through with the second, before Ballykelly's Lee Moore responded with a goal. Robert Hanley, who had narrowly missed an opportunity at the very beginning, redeemed himself by tying up the score in the ninth minute. Stephen Quigley put Kildangan in front once again, before Moore drew level for the men in maroon. A scramble in the Ballykelly box concluded with another Ryan Moran point, followed by a third from Ballykelly. Eric O'Hara got another for Kildangan, before Lee Moore gave his side the edge with last two scores of the half. Trailing by a point, it was still all to play for for Kildangan, but Ballykelly's efforts in the last twenty minutes of the first half proved they would be up to any challenge. Left corner forward Moore scored two frees to put Ballykelly 1-6 to 0-6 ahead. Padraig Cullen opened his account after thirty six minutes, but Robert Hanley managed to narrow the gap back to three with free. Cullen got Ballykelly's eighth point followed almost immediately by two converted Hanley frees. A point from Ballykelly midfielder Kevin Donoghue gave his side a three point lead, but a second point from Kildangan's Eric O'Hara ensured they were never out of contention.

Tom Moran lead the Kildangan charge from the front with his second, drawing the game level once again, before Padraig Cullen pointed for Ballykelly to put his side back in front. Stephen Quigley levelled things once again, before Ryan Moran sent over the final score of the game to give Kildangan a one point victory.

A determined fight back from Kildangan in the last ten minutes of the game showed a never say die attitude; a side that would refuse to give up. The two sides will meet once again, this time in a league encounter, next month. Further details of this game and the next championship match against Rheban will be available here as soon as they become available.