Late rally sees Kildorrery overcome Newmarket in Shield
Lorcan McLoughlin about to shoot Kanturk's third goal in the Duhallow Under-21 Football Championship against Cullen.
Thursday March 04 2010
FOLLOWING an entertaining Kelleher Shield Section three encounter at Kildorrery on Sunday last the home side with four points during the last quarter edged out a resolute Newmarket outfit.
Aided by the breeze during the opening period Newmarket set out their intentions from the offset with John Lane, Kevin O'Sullivan, Mark Reidy and TJ Bodie in great form and after nine minutes they moved into a 0-4 to no score lead. Gradually, Kildorrery began to settle and quick points from David Kelly and John Howard brought them right back into contention by the end of the first quarter.
Exchanges were very close from here to the break with Newmarket making better use of their chances in front of goal. Impressive forwards John Lane and David Kelly traded a point each before the Duhallow side moved into a 0-7 to 0-3 lead by the 28th minute when Sean Francis O'Connor and John Lane had points.
Kildorrery rallied well in the closing moments and at the end of normal time Tom Monaghan was denied by a great save from keeper Niall O'Connor at the expense of a '45', that was cleared but nevertheless when Stephen Coughlan pointed in injury time the lead was down to 0-7 to 0-4 at the interval.
The second half saw Kildorrery make an encouraging start with Andrew O'Brien, Stephen Coughlan, Eamon O'Connor and David Kelly all excelling and by the 37th minute they had the lead down to the minimum 0-7 to 0-6.
In a close half TJ Bodie (two) John Howard and David Kelly exchanged points entering the final quarter to leave just a point between the teams 0-9 to 0-8. However this proved to be Newmarket's last score even though they remained firmly in the hunt till the final whistle.
Kildorrery on the otherhand were to make good use of the breeze during the last quarter. Tom Monaghan and Dave White were both denied goal scoring opportunities before David Kelly level matters with a point in the 54th minute. The home side had the momentum at this stage and in the closing moments added a point each from Richie McEniry and Stephen Coughlan to emerge close winners in the end.
