Kilcar get better of Killybegs in titanic battle to reach U-21C final

There have been many tight battles between these neighbours over the past 40 years and there was no quarter asked or given in Towney on Saturday.

Kilcar came out on top to reverse the recent result in the group stages and will now contest the final against Red Hughs.

This was a tight, physical affair with Kilcar taking a commanding lead in the first half after playing with the strong breeze which was blowing from the dressing rooms towards the sea, not the normal wind at Towney.

Three two pointers from Ben Rafferty (free), Michael O’Donnell and Liam McLaughlin proved the vital first half scores, those coming inside the opening seven minutes.

Killybegs struggled to make inroads against the breeze with Kilcar kicking a few wides but eventually Gavin Doherty got the Fishermen off the mark with a free midway through the half.

Kilcar responded with two points from Michael Gallagher and Rafferty (free)  with Killybegs second point from Eoin Mulligan to leave the half-time score: Kilcar 0-8, Killybegs 0-2.

The second half saw the game increase in intensity and physicality and referee Greg McGroary had his hands full keeping the game from boiling over.

Eoin Mulligan eventually broke through to kick the first point of the second half but Killybegs will be disappointed that they allowed Kilcar respond with points from Ben Rafferty and Michael Gallagher.

With the game disjointed and both sides having turnovers Eoin Mulligan led the fight for Killybegs with a two pointer into the sea end. Further points were shared with Gavin Doherty and Eoin Mulligan finding the range for Killybegs while Rafferty and Jack Hegarty replied for Kilcar.

A pivotal moment came in the final quarter with Jack Hegarty picking up a black card for a challenge on Killybegs ‘keeper Josh Colyer and the Fishermen exploited the extra man with JP McGuinness getting the only goal of the game.

However, they could only add one more point during the Hegarty sin bin, a point from Joseph McGroary. The margin was down to two points at one stage but then Kilcar were able to seal the win with the final two points from Killybegs breaches, Rafferty on target to complete a personal haul of 0-7.

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Kilcar scorers: Ben Rafferty 0-7,5f,1tpf; Michael Gallagher 0-3; Michael O’Donnell 0-3,1tp; Michael Gallagher, Liam McLaughlin, Daniel Byrne 0-1 each.

Killybegs scorers: Eoin Mulligan 0-5,2f,1tp; JP McGuinness 1-0; Gavin Doherty 0-2,1f; Joseph McGroary 0-1.

Kilcar: Piaras O’Donnell; Eamon Byrne, Karl Lyons, Oisin McShane; Hugh O’Donnell, Michael O’Donnell, Liam McLaughlin; Ben Rafferty, Michael Gallagher; Ciaran Love, Jack Hegarty, Daniel Byrne; Ronan Haughey, Charles Byrne, Oran Hegarty.

Subs: Ciaran O’Donnell for C Love; Corey O’Donnell for O Hegarty; Ciaran Love for C O’Donnell.

Killybegs: Josh Colyer; Oisin  Boyle, Michael Cunningham, Adam O’Neill; Joseph McGroary, Ben Conneely, Daithi Burke; Edward McHugh, Ethan Byrne; Cillian McHugh, Gavin Doherty, Owen Mulligan; JP McGuinness, Eamon Curran, Jack Moore.

Subs: Andrew Mullin, Mairtin Heraghty, Conor McHugh.

Referee: Greg McGroary (Four Masters)