IFC status retained
It’s not often a draw feels like a win, but that’s what it felt like for Kilbeggan Shamrocks players and supporters after leaving Ballymore with the result we needed on Saturday evening.
A 1-8 draw with Multyfarnham after a ferocious contest was enough to preserve our intermediate status for 2022 and relegate our opponents. While it wasn’t pretty, with a swirling wind contributing to lots of mistakes, our work-rate and desire was without question as we ended the season on a positive note.
With the teams wearing their alternative jerseys to avoid a clash of colours, Niall Carey scored straight from the throw-in before Nigel Scally doubled our advantage from a free. Multy levelled through David Wallace – after Daniel Loughrey’s shot had rebounded from the post – and Jamie Coffey before James Hanlon restored our lead in the 12th minute.
Kilbeggan then went four points clear when Darragh Coffey rose highest to fist Scally’s under-hit free to the net. There was a suspicion of ‘square ball’, but the goal stood.
Daniel Loughrey replied with a point before the first water break. Remarkably, the second quarter only produced two scores which were enough to send Multy into half-time with the slenderest of leads, 1-4 to 1-3. After the raiding Sean Rock had a shot saved by Adrian Carroll and fired the rebound into the side-netting, Multy made the breakthrough in the 23rd minute when, after we had given away possession cheaply, Ian McGovern sent a long ball into full forward Loughrey who finished low to the net.
Then, on the stroke of half-time, county star Ronan Wallace started and finished a lovely move to give Mick Dillon’s charges the lead for the first time.
We were back in front within three minutes of the restart thanks to points from half-time substitute James Finnegan and Nigel Scally (free). McGovern levelled, only for the lively Finnegan to restore our lead after he did well to control Niall Carey’s delivery and fire over. But an Adam Loughrey free made it 1-6 apiece at the second water break.
Multy took a two-point lead for the first time when McGovern and substitute Ciaran Madden both found the target, but it was all-square again after another half-time, substitute, Dean Fitzgerald, scored from play and then nailed a superb free from close to the right sideline in the 57th minute.
In a nail-biting finale, Fitzgerald, James Hanlon and Darragh Coffey (long-range free) all missed chances to seal the win for us. With the game deep into injury-time, Multy had one last chance to save the day but, much to our relief, Daniel Loughrey’s free from near the sideline drifted to the right and wide.
While a win eluded us in this year’s IFC, we stay up by virtue of our two draws with Milltown and Multy, and have plenty to build on for next season. We had some terrific performances on Saturday from young Conor Carroll and the not-so-young Alan Fennell who, in his 20th year playing adult football for Kilbeggan, had a stormer at the heart of the defence in the absence of the injured Shaun Pidgeon.
James Finnegan and Dean Fitzgerald also made a big impact off the bench, combining for our four second half points. In very difficult circumstances – his grandfather Edward passed away the day before – Dean produced one of his best displays in a Kilbeggan jersey.
Finally, a word of thanks to the great Kilbeggan supporters who turned out in big numbers to cheer us on when they were most needed.
Scorers: Darragh Coffey 1-0, James Finnegan, Nigel Scally (2fs) and Dean Fitzgerald (1f) 0-2 each, Niall Carey and James Hanlon 0-1 each.
Team: Adrian Carroll; Aidan Stone, James Fox, Colin Draper; Conor Carroll, Alan Fennell, James Hanlon; Nigel Scally, Niall Carey; Darragh Coffey, David Fennell, Mark Wrafter; Paul Fennell, Conor Delaney, Danny Scully. Subs: James Finnegan for Scully (half-time), Dean Fitzgerald for Wrafter (half-time), Cathal Finn for Carey (45 min), Carey for Delaney (60 min), Mel Kiernan for P Fennell (62 min).
Underage end-of-season event
With underage training and Go Games blitzes now over for another year, our mentors are organising end-of-season activities for our underage groups in appreciation of their efforts in St James’ Hall next Sunday afternoon.
Social distancing rules will apply for the event which will be attended by Westmeath’s All-Ireland winning intermediate ladies captain Fiona Claffey, who will be bringing the Mary Quinn Cup along.
Lotto
Last week’s lucky numbers were 3, 8, 14 and 22. The Match 3 winners were Mary Daly and Fiona Smith.
Thanks to everyone for their support. This week’s jackpot is €5,750. The draw takes place every Tuesday at 8pm live on our Facebook page. You can purchase your tickets in local shops or online https://www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/Kilbeggan_Shamrocks
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