Seniors See Off Ballykelly Challenge

Post date: Aug 6, 2016 10:41:46 PM

It's three wins from three for Kildangan over Ballykelly this year following today's 1-15 to 0-8 win in More O'Ferrall Park. The men in maroon had plenty of opportunities to score, particularly from frees, but it cannot be doubted that the home side went out on to the pitch with a win on their minds. Ballykelly started off with a point from Owen Whelan, and were on course for a second with a Jason Dunne free, but Dunne failed to score. Padraig Casey got Kildangan's first about a minute later, before Dunne made amends for his last effort and split the posts. Stephen Quigley levelled for Kildangan. A major turning point in the game was when Damien Broughall at midfield sent the ball in to Kevin Christie in the forwards, who then laid it off to Tom Moran for a goal. The momentum really built for Kildangan from here. Ryan Moran was next on the scoresheet for the home side thanks to a Padraig Casey '45. Joe Sharpe scored Ballykelly's last two of the half, while Kildangan had a mixed bag of scorers, including Bryan Adams, Ryan Moran and two from Quigley. With a 1-7 to 0-4 lead at half time, the game could still go either way, but if Kildangan got in their stride, they could easily build up a big score. Kildangan started the second half as they did the first, winning the break. The scores didn't come as quickly in this half; the first coming from a Robert Hanley free in the 37th minute. Hanley was awarded another two minutes later, to extend Kildangan's lead to eight. Whelan was on target once again for Ballykelly. However, this didn't count for much as Dermot Hickey put in a phenomenal run from half way to score a point; not for the first time this year. Dean Maher opened his account for Ballykelly midway through the half.

Half back Bryan Adams found his way into the Ballykelly half once again for first of two more points, with Ballykelly's Jamie Heavey getting one back. Padraig Casey got his second shortly before Adams got his third of the game. Casey was also involved in the build up of a Ryan Moran point, sending the ball in from distance to recent substitute Andrew Wilson, who sent a short foot pass to Moran. The neighbours got a consolation point, before Damien Broughall got the last score of the game, sealing the 1-15 to 0-8 win.

Kildangan should be very confident in their ability after this game and can now look forward to a shield final against Cappagh. We are also due to play Caragh in the final round of the championship round robin in the next week. We will post the details of both as soon as they become available.

Kildangan: Colin Christie; Luke Barry, Darragh Kennedy, Jordan Kaye; Bryan Adams (0-3), David Christie, Kevin Christie; Damien Broughall (0-1), Padraig Casey (0-2); John Miller, Stephen Quigley (0-3), Dermot Hickey (0-1); Robert Hanley (0-2 2F), Tom Moran (1-0), Ryan Moran (0-3).

Substitutes: Declan McGrath (for Kaye, 12 minutes), Andrew Wilson (for Miller, 22 minutes)

Ballykelly: David Moore; Eugene Morgan, Liam Behan, Barry Kaye; Patrick Forde, Christopher Merlihan, Emmett Black; Michael Behan, Owen Whelan (0-2); Jason Dunne (0-2), Joe Sharpe (0-2 2F), Jamie Heavey (0-1); John McCormack, Dean Maher (0-1), Adam Fogarty.

By Andrew Wilson and Robert McGrath

Thanks to Michael Higgins for the photographs

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