Killucan bridged a 13-year gap when getting the better of Ballynacargy at the second time of asking to be crowned intermediate football champions. Here, we reflect on a significant breakthrough for the Saffrons who will be hoping to make their mark in the senior ranks in 2006. Killucan maintained their remarkable record of having never lost an adult championship final last October when they edged out Ballynacargy in a thrilling intermediate football final replay at Cusack Park. A fisted goal from James Nugent in the 42nd minute, coupled with the introduction of super-sub Paul Greville at the beginning of the final quarter, proved decisive as the Saffrons claimed a 1-10 to 0-12 victory and, in the process, secured their place in the senior ranks for 2006 after a decade-long absence. It was the club's first intermediate championship triumph since 1992 and was fitting reward for their efforts at underage level in recent years. The road to glory wasn't always smooth, but Killucan were worthy champions nonetheless. Despite the involvement of 10 of their players with the Raharney team that reached the senior hurling championship semi-final, they suffered just one defeat throughout the eight-match campaign and overcame a determined Ballynacargy at the second attempt to take the Peter Geraghty Memorial Cup back to Deelside. Under the management of Dalystown man Eamonn Gallagher and his selectors Nick Weir, Jimmy Leech and Ber Murtagh, Killucan suffered an early setback when they lost their opening match of the championship to Shandonagh by 2-5 to 2-9. Shandonagh led by 1-5 to 1-1 at the interval after a James Nugent goal had given the Saffrons a dream start. A second goal from former county midfielder Noel Lynch brought Killucan closer following the restart, but Shandonagh managed to keep their noses in front with a late point from Alan Hickey sealing their win. Killucan put that disappointment behind them when they defeated Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall by 0-16 to 0-8 at St. Loman's on June 1. After a sluggish start, Killucan found their rhythm and points from Noel Lynch, Brendan McKeogh, John Shaw and Paul Greville helped them to a 0-7 to 0-3 half-time lead. Further scores from Shaw, Stephen Morley and James Nugent extended the Saffrons' lead before Castletown-Finea registered four points without reply to give themselves a fighting chance. But late points from Shaw and Lynch eased Killucan to their first win. A brace of second half goals from Paul Briody helped Eamonn Gallagher's charges to a 2-10 to 1-5 victory over St. Joseph's in their third outing. The Streamstown men led by 1-3 to 0-5 at the break, but the Killucan comeback took shape immediately after the resumption. Padraig Leavy looped an excellent point over the bar and then Briody struck for his first goal. Midway through the half, substitute Christopher Leech broke down a high ball and Briody reacted quickest to hammer the ball past Andrew Meares in the St. Joseph's goal to end the game as a contest. Killucan continued their winning ways with a dramatic late victory over Caulry for the second year running. The Mount Temple men made all the running in the early stages to build up a 0-6 to 0-1 lead. Killucan fought back to trail by three points at the interval and the same margin continued to separate the sides until the 51st minute when a Paul Greville goal levelled proceedings. Alan Carroll edged Caulry back in front before three late points from Greville (two) and Noel Lynch saw Killucan prevail on a 1-9 to 0-10 scoreline. Paul Greville was again the Killucan goal-scoring hero when they met Ballynacargy in the fifth round at Shandonagh. Greville's 16th minute major left Killucan well in control at the break, despite the fact that they registered six first half wides. Ballynacargy improved in the second half and held their opponents scoreless for 22 minutes. But an inspirational point from young Rory Reilly got Killucan back on track and John Shaw added two frees to give them a 1-10 to 0-7 victory. In their final group match against Moate All-Whites, a last-gasp point from John Shaw earned Killucan a draw and also secured their place in the semi-final. Despite conceding a soft goal, the Saffrons dominated the first half to take a 1-8 to 1-1 lead into the interval. Padraig Leavy scored an early goal and Shaw notched up three points from play, while free-taker Eddie Doyle added three more to leave them in a commanding position at the break. But a rejuvenated Moate team staged a stirring comeback following the change of ends which saw them hit eight points without reply to edge into a 1-9 to 1-8 lead with two minutes remaining. However, Killucan refused to panic and worked the ball up the field to Shaw who calmly slotted over the equalizing point to avoid a dreaded play-off. The semi-final pitted Killucan against Shandonagh - the only team to beat them in the group stages. Appearing in their third successive semi-final, Shandonagh were many people's favourites to progress to the decider but Killucan had other ideas and producing a highly accomplished display, they powered to a 0-15 to 1-6 victory. The sides were level on 0-2 each when Killucan were awarded a dubious penalty after 10 minutes. But Paul Greville's spot-kick was brilliantly saved by the diving Mark Kenny in the Shandonagh goal. The sides were still on level terms after 20 minutes, but with Noel Lynch and Padraig Leavy gaining control at midfield, Killucan finished the half strongly to lead by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break. Eamonn Gallagher's charges continued where they left off at the start of the second half with further scores from Brendan McKeogh, Greville and Shaw increasing their lead to 0-11 to 0-4. Shandonagh were thrown a lifeline when Enda Kincaid finished to the net, but Killucan underlined their superiority by responding with three more points from Shaw, Greville and substitute Paul Briody to qualify for the final in fine style. In the other semi-final, Ballynacargy had shocked championship favourites Rosemount and they were viewed as dangerous opposition for Killucan in the decider at Cusack Park. Ballynacargy settled quickly and it took them just 50 seconds to open their account through Declan McGuinness. Padraig Leavy equalized from a free in the sixth minute before James Nugent put Killucan in front for the first time. Further efforts from Leavy and McKeogh kept Killucan ahead until the 20th minute when Gary Wallace scored a Ballynacargy goal. A Leavy '45' reduced the deficit to the minimum, only for Dwayne Maher to quickly restore Bal's two-point advantage. With half-time approaching, John Shaw reacted quickest to score from close range after James Nugent's effort had rebounded from the post, leaving a solitary point between the sides at the interval, 1-4 to 0-6. Paul Greville got Killucan back onto level terms before Mark Murphy grabbed a second Ballynacargy goal in the 42nd minute to put three points between the teams for the first time. The pressure was now on Killucan but they responded magnificently, notching up three unanswered points courtesy of Greville (two) and James Nugent in the space of six minutes. Ger Heduvan and John Shaw exchanged points before Nugent rose from a crowd of players to fist Killucan back into the lead with two minutes of normal time remaining. But after Killucan had missed a couple of guilt-edged chances to put the result beyond doubt, Ballynacargy won a close-in free deep into injury-time which Maher converted to send the final to a replay. As John Shaw, Paul Greville and Conor Jordan were part of the Christy Ring Cup winning Westmeath team that travelled to New York in October, there was a four-week break to the replay. As in the drawn encounter, there was little to separate the sides with Killucan claiming victory by the narrowest of margins thanks largely to substitute Greville who scored three points following his introduction midway through the second half. Having sustained a shoulder injury while playing for the Westmeath hurlers in New York the previous week, the dual star was unable to start, but he still had a major influence on the outcome as Killucan squeezed out a gallant Ballynacargy side. The Saffrons enjoyed the better of the first half exchanges and were full value for their 0-7 to 0-4 interval lead. But within 11 minutes of the restart, a rejuvenated Ballynacargy had wiped out that deficit courtesy of two points from Dwayne Maher and another from sub Jason Wallace. However, they were rocked back on their heels in the 43rd minute when James Nugent fisted the only goal. Bal' fought to the end, though, and but for Greville's inspirational scores, they may well have taken the tie to extra-time. But Killucan did just enough and given the team's low age profile, they can look forward to the 2006 senior championship with a degree of optimism. The victorious Killucan team was: David Byran; Padraig Connaughton, Rory Reilly, Donal Carey; Niall Flanagan, Francis Boyle, Conor Jordan; Padraig Leavy, Noel Lynch; Brian Smyth, Brendan McKeogh, James Nugent; Tony Doyle, John Shaw, Paul Briody. Subs used: Barry Nea, Stephen Morley, Paul Greville, Shane Leavy and Brian Nugent. Tweet

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