Padraig Haugh. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Liscannor retained their TUS Intermediate Football Championship status with composure, ball retention and an electric 2-05 from Cian Guerin.
Liscannor 2-13
Killimer 0-9
Venue: Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty
Killimer were fearless in the fight but needed more playmakers to outscore their seasoned opponents as they dropped down to the Junior A grade, eleven months after winning promotion.
Both sides should be credited for their approach to this game. Relegation battles rarely make for pretty viewing, but Liscannor and Killimer applied themselves with focus and the right kind of energy.
The influential Aidan Reynolds was forced out of Killimer’s starting line-up with a hamstring injury, but replacement midfielder Bryan Grogan had a major say in the first half with some big clean catches and Killimer’s first score from play.
Liscannor corner-forward Daniel Kelly was working hard to get on ball and Killimer’s Sean Kelly did particularly well to snuff out a well-worked attack after five minutes. Killimer opted to play into the wind in the first half and opened the scoring with a Mikey Kelleher free.
Liscannor moved Padraig Haugh across to centre back with Darren Nagle operating at left wing forward and tucking back in when required. Their early forays were all at pace up the right wing where Robert Lucas popped up for an early score and Cian Guerin side footed his first over.
Declan Pyne received a yellow card for a high tackle in a goal-mouth scramble and had to be replaced on 17 minutes. But Killimer were well in the fight at that stage. They were showing ambition with kick-passes in attack and Jack Kelleher registered back-to-back scores.
It was in midfield where Liscannor started to get on top. They got earlier to the kickout and numbers in the right places. Stephen Murray was turning over Killimer attacks. Cian Guerin found a pocket of space in the scoring zone and Alan Clohessy showed that class is permanent with a score from play.
Killimer rallied. Kevin Hassett made up for an earlier slice with a fine score on the run. They forced Liscannor into narrow channels of attack that saw two fisted efforts at a score go wide.
Liscannor’s lead was down to three points at half time and Colm Pyne reduced it further within seconds of the restart. It drew a big reaction from the Killimer faithful in the stand.
But Padraig Haugh responded with a captain’s example of his own – his point went over six desperate Killimer hands. Stephen Murray had space but a tight angle and did the necessary. Cian Guerin fired over after a menacing run. Liscannor were building a cushion.
From there, the focus switched to ball retention for Liscannor. Everyone looked comfortable and supported each other well.
Killimer were running out of time and you could sense the tension building in their attack. But Aidan Reynolds was on and determined to make an impact. He linked well and gave players like Paul Browne the confidence to come up the field. Colm Pyne got another score. Reynolds had a half-chance saved nd there were long range shots on goal by Liam Culligan and Mikey Kelleher.
Liscannor’s composure allowed them to see the opportunities when they came. Both of Cian Guerin’s goals came from similar positions. Liscannor broke in numbers and delayed the pass until all the young forward needed to do was look up and slot home. Both side-foot finished. The first assisted by Stephen Murray, the second by Darren Nagle. Liscannor knew who the most potent forward on the pitch was and they executed the plan to put the ball in his hand. It was a superb 2-05.
This was a knock-out fight between the Junior A Champions of 2022 and 2023. But while Killimer were making their step-up last year, Liscannor were already dogging it out in a competitive intermediate championship. They were a kick of a ball away from a semi-final against runners-up Kilrush Shamrocks. Nine of this team started that 2023 quarter-final and it all stood to them.
Liscannor manager Brian Considine had cause for contentment at the final whistle. The year hadn’t gone his way but they got the job done. His players did exactly what he asked them to do.
You could say the same for David Kelly. Not one of his Killimer men was hiding out there. You’ll win nothing without heart, but some days it’s just not enough by itself.
Liscannor Scorers: Cian Guerin (2-05); Alan Clohessy (0-5 3f); Robert Lucas (0-1); Padraigh Haugh (0-1); Sean McDonagh (0-1).
Killimer Scorers: Mikey Kelleher (0-3 3f); Colm Pyne (0-2); Jack Kelleher (0-2 1f); Kevin Hassett (0-1); Bryan Grogan (0-1).
Liscannor:
1: Shane Curtin
2: Paul McLoughlin
3: Robert Lucas
4: Tom Hanrahan
12: Cóbhan Philpson
5: Padraigh Haugh (capt)
17: Brian Considine
8: Gavan Duffy
9: Stephen Murray
10: Francesco Bonito
11: Alan Clohessy
6: Darren Nagle
13: Daniel White
19: Michael Foley
15: Cian Guerin
Substitutes:
14: Sean McDonagh for Daniel White (HT)
12: Cóbhan Philipson for Michael Foley (56’)
23: Brian Leyden for Gavan Duffy (58’)
24: Oisin Leyden for Darren Nagle (60’)
Killimer:
1: Cian Corry
2: Fiachra McKeown
3: Declan Pyne (YC 12’)
4: Sean Kelly
5: Odhran Cunningham
6: Josh Hassett
7: Paul Browne
8: Sean Reynolds
17: Bryan Grogan
10: Stephen Grogan
11: Liam Culligan
12: Kevin Hassett
13: Mikey Kelleher
14: Colm Pyne (capt)
15: Jack Kelleher
Substitutes:
28: James Browne for Declan Pyne (17’)
9: Aidan Reynolds for Stephen Grogan (33’)
Referee: Barry Keating (Lissycasey)
