Kilcar hold their nerve to win derby clash against Killybegs

Kilcar had a fast start and a controlled second half, despite setbacks, to beat rivals Killybegs in Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park.

A Stephen McBrearty goal and two pointers from Mark McHugh and Matthew McClean had them seven ahead inside five minutes, but they only led by four at the break at 1-8 to 0-7 as Killybegs hit back.

The hosts scored goals in the second half through Charlie Breslin and Christopher Mulligan, but the returning Ryan McHugh and McClean kept Kilcar ahead.

A nervous ending, Killybegs had two chances to level from outside the arc, but they couldn’t get the kick to draw the game.

Minus Patrick McBrearty and the injured Eoin McHugh, Kilcar were down bodies but it didn’t show early on.

Kilcar’s start set them up perfectly, with Mark McHugh hitting a two pointer inside 30 seconds.

From Josh Colyer’s kick out, Stephen McBrearty won the ball high up from just outside the arc and burst forward, firing into the roof of the net.

Just two minutes later, Matthew McClean added another two pointer as Kilcar went seven clear inside five minutes, but the hosts recovered well.

Seamus Óg Byrne, Eoghan Ban Gallagher and Evan Broderick got Pauric Bonner’s men going, although the impressive Matthew McClean responded for his side.

Killybegs almost hit the net after a good move as Charlie Breslin’s shot went just wide as Byrne almost got a touch to take it in, but a two pointer from Ryan Cunningham and a Christopher Mulligan score made it a two point game.

McClean and Ciaran McGinley got the visitors back in a controlled lead, but they had another scare when Hugh McFadden’s free dropped short and Cunningham punched it towards goal, beating the goalkeeper, but McGinley cleared off the line.

McFadden’s free and a final Mark McHugh score left four in it at the break at 1-8 to 0-7.

Killybegs still would have fancied their chances as they tried to claw back into the game, with Mulligan getting another point, but Ryan McHugh responded at the other end.

The hosts had another chance as McFadden tore towards goal but was brought down by McGinley, who received a black card, and Cunningham converted the free.

But Kilcar outscored their opponents in a crucial ten minute period with a man less, thanks to a huge two pointer from Ryan McHugh.

Odhran McGuinness got Killybegs’ only score during this period, while a McClean free at the other end kept Kilcar ahead.

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They went even further ahead as Matthew McClean’s two point free dropped short but Andrew McClean kicked over, while Ryan McHugh hit another point.

Eoghan Ban Gallagher had a couple of good moments after, first setting up Charlie Breslin who rifled the ball into the net before pointing himself, but again Matthew McClean kicked a free at the other end.

McFadden and McClean traded scores before Christopher Mulligan hit the net in dramatic fashion as his ball in towards McFadden evaded everyone and bounced in.

That left a point in it, but Ryan McShane fisted over in the final moments, and while Killybegs had two chances to level the game, a two point effort from Cunningham sailed wide as did a 50 metre free from Josh Colyer in the fourth minute of added time, which was the last kick of the game.

Killybegs scorers: Christopher Mulligan 1-2;  Charlie Breslin 1-0; Ryan Cunningham 0-3,1tp; Hugh McFadden 0-2,1f; Eoghan Ban Gallagher 0-2; Evan Broderick, Seamus Óg Byrne and Odhran McGuinness 0-1 each.

Kilcar scorers:  Matthew McClean 0-7,3f,1tp; Ryan McHugh 0-4,1tp; Mark McHugh 0-3,1tp; Stephen McBrearty 1-0; Ciaran McGinley, Andrew McClean and Ryan McShane 0-1 each.

Killybegs: Josh Colyer; Ben Conneely, Niall Carberry, Cillian Gildea; Charlie Breslin, Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher, Seamus Óg Byrne; Evan Broderick, Hugh McFadden; Rory Colyer, Jack McSharry, Christopher Mulligan; Edward McHugh, Ryan Cunningham, Odhran McGuinness.

Subs: John Ban Gallagher for Byrne (45), Eoin Mulligan for McGuinness (49), Joseph McGrory for McHugh (55).

Kilcar: Eoin O’Donnell; Brian O’Donnell, Eoin Cormack, Barry McGinley; Gary Molloy, Ryan McShane, Seanie Boyle; Ciaran McGinley, Mark McHugh; Conor Doherty, Ryan McHugh, Andrew McClean; Ciaran O’Donnell, Matthew McClean, Stephen McBrearty.

Referee: Cathal Boland (Ardara)