MacCumhaills battle back to overcome Killybegs 

Kevin McCormack’s missed penalty shortly before half time was banished from the home support’s minds when he did raise a green flag in the second half and added a few other key scores finishing the game with 1-4 of his side’s overall tally.

MacCumhaills 1-10 Killybegs 0-9

MacCumhaills followed on from their first league win of the season against St, Michael’s at The Bridge with another win against a dogged Killybegs unit in Seán MacCumhaill Park on Saturday evening.

The first half was a very close affair throughout with an eventful ending to the half when MacCumhaills had the penalty chance but Killybegs ‘keeper Corey Byrne denied McCormack. 

The penalty would have given the home side a three point cushion however a brace of Killybegs points swung the momentum in their favour to go two up at the interval. Conor Cunningham opened the scoring for the visitors in the third minute from a free. 

The home side replied from youngster Daithi McMahon from play who was fed by Aaron Kelly who pointed himself in the ninth minute. On fifteen minutes, Killybegs were two points up from a Christopher Mulligan double (free and play) and a Ryan Cunningham score after an impressive run from midfielder Evan Broderick.

Corner-back Jack Burke hit the hosts third point on twenty two minutes and drew level soon after after young midfielder Fionn McNulty turned over a Killybegs attack to slip the ball to Kevin McCormack to point over.

From assisting in attack to helping to bolstering defence, McNulty was everywhere the team needed and was well placed to deny Conor Cunningham in the MacCumhaills square and Jack Duffy was also called up to deny another threat with a fine block.

Things looked well for the home side two minutes from the half time whistle when they were awarded a penalty. Daithi McMahon won a high ball kicked in and some interplay with McCormack saw the latter racing down on goal only to be brought down and the spot kick awarded.

However, Corey Byrne in the Killybegs goals was equal to the task and denied McCormack. The home side were in real danger of conceding a gal soon after but Adam Lynch’s brave block thwarted Paul Cunningham’s goalbound effort out for a 45’ which Ryan Cunningham converted to send the fishermen in two points up at the interval at 0-6 to 0-4. 

The opening fifteen minutes of the second half was a stark contrast to the end to end nature of the closing minutes of the first half. Neither team posed a real threat in the opening exchanges and were content to hold onto possession and probe at the other side without overly committing.

Killybegs got the first score on the thirteen minute mark from a Ryan Cunningham free. The home side had chances but just couldn’t convert them. 

But their fortunes would soon change when an intricate piece of play from Jack Duffy getting a hand pass across the square found Fionn McNulty who gathered himself well but had his goal effort blocked down but Steven O’Reilly salvaged something from the fine play by volleying over from a tight angle for a point from McNulty’s rebound.

Ryan Cunningham pointed for the Fishermen once again but MacCumhaills dug deep and with a newfound sense of purpose and energy went on to take the game by the horns for the final 15 minutes. 

Another delightful McNulty, long ball in was won by McCormack who drilled the ball past Byrne in the Killybegs’ goal and the home side soon found themselves level.

Buoyed by the goal, MacCumhaills were attacking with real poise and precision and soon took the lead when McCormack pointed over after being picked out by a delectable Jamie Keegan pass. 

Provider turned scorer Keegan added his own after a run down the left flank to cut in and put over on his trusted left boot and MacCumhaills added on further scores from McMahon (1) and McCormack (2).

Christopher Mulligan’s point on twenty nine minutes from a good distance out was the only score Killybegs could muster in reply and the home side did enough to close down the opposition and hold on for another win in Division 1.

MacCumhaills scorers: Kevin McCormack 1-4; Daithi McMahon 0-2; Aaron Kelly, Jack Burke, Steven O’Reilly, Jamie Keegan 0-1 each. 

Killybegs scorers: Christopher Mulligan 0-4,2f; Ryan Cunningham 0-3; Conor Cunningham 0-2, 1f 45’.

MacCumhaills: Eoin Gallen; Jack Burke; Ronan McMenamin; Adam Lynch; Cian Mulligan; Aaron Gillooley; Fionn McNulty; Joe Boyle; Jack Duffy; Jamie Keegan; Steven O’Reilly; Aaron Kelly; Kevin McCormack; Alex McGeehan; Daithi McMahon

Subs: Chad McSorley for Aaron Kelly (15), Gary Dunnion for Alex McGeehan, Sean Breen for Cian Mulligan (half time), Ruairi Callaghan for Ronan McMenamin and Eoin McGonagle for Jack Burke (both 45).

Killybegs: Corey Byrne; Christopher Cunningham; Cillian Gildea; Ryan Carr; Michael Callaghan; Niall Carbery; Owen Gallagher; Rory Colyer; Evan Broderick; Mark Finnerty; Christopher Mulligan; Christopher Cunningham; Ryan Cunningham; Conor Cunningham; Paul Cunningham

Subs: Christopher Murrin for Christopher Cunningham (first half), Donal McGuire for Mark Finnerty (47).

Referee: Steven Doherty (Red Hughs).