Killybegs turn it on in second half against Milford to post victory

A vastly improved second half display was the key to the Donegal SFC home win for Killybegs over Milford in Fintra. 

Killybegs 1-13
Milford 0-7 

Both sides badly wanted points - and for different reasons. It was a very well contested first half with the sides level on a scoreline of 0-4 each at the break. 

But that was as good as it got for the Kane Barrett-inspired visitors as the home side upped the tempo and emerged as fairly comfortable winners in the end - a win that sees them in with a real chance of making the quarter-finals. For Milford a relegation play-off seems to be looming. 

However, Killybegs had one particularly hairy moment early in the second half. A swift Milford counterattack opened up the home defence in the 38th minute that saw Barrett with a gaping goal. But somehow a full-length dive from Seamus Óg Byrne and keeper Corey Byrne’s narrowing of the angle blocked Barrett’s blaster at the concession of a 45. 

The home side were leading by 0-6 to 0-5 at that stage so a Milford goal could have made it quite a contest. Instead Killybegs, who successfully switched Hugh McFadden and Jack McSharry, grew in confidence and McSharry garnished a fine second half display with a cracking goal in the 56th minute. 

Conor Cunningham was also a major scorer for the hosts, and Evan Broderick was a commanding figure in midfield. 

Killybegs had the better of the opening exchanges and eased into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead by the 10th minute thanks to a Cunningham free and points from play from McSharry and Jon Bán Gallagher, with Kane Barrett replying for the visitors from a free. 

But the home side could only add on one more point in a tepid second quarter from a Cunningham free. Meanwhile a Milford effort for a point from Darragh Black was allowed - the umpire originally waved it wide, but a point was awarded after consultation with referee Enda McFeely and a linesman. 

On the other hand, Killybegs were on the wrong end of a “wide” that looked to have curled inside the post. but the umpire and the referee were adamant it was off target 

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Cunningham and Gary Moore swapped points as the sides tied at 0-4 each at the break. A  Barrett free gave the visitors a brief lead but Cunningham eased the home side in front with a few well-struck efforts before the Milford goal chance came and went.

And with McFadden increasingly influential in midfield, Killybegs were getting a firm grip and the points began to flow from Cunningham, McFadden and McSharry. 

Milford continued to battle hard but were becoming increasingly outgunned and could only manage two more points.  Killybegs eased to a well-deserved victory with the pacey McSharry particularly prominent, and he took the clinching goal with real aplomb. They lost Jon Ban Gallagher to a late red card - which had no bearing on the game. 

Killybegs scorers: Conor Cunningham 0-7,6f; Jack McSharry 1-3; Hugh McFadden 0-1, 1f; Jon Ban Gallagher and Evan Broderick 0-1.

Milford scorers: Kane Barrett 0-4, 2f; Luke Barrett 0-1, 1f; Darragh Black and Gary Moore 0-1.

Killybegs: Corey Byrne; Darragh McClean, Seamus Óg Byrne, Christopher Cunningham; Ryan Carr, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Jon Ban Gallagher; Evan Broderick, Rory Colyer; Christopher Murrin, Jack McSharry, Shaun Gorrell; Christopher Mulligan, Hugh McFadden, Conor Cunningham. Subs: Charlie Breslin for Christopher Cunningham (42); Donal McGuire for Murrin (49); Owen Gallagher for Mulligan (56). 

Milford: Sean Gallagher; Tony Curran, Conor Coll, Shay Durning; Eoin O’Donnell, Conor McHugh, Gary Moore; Lorcan Friel; Rory O’Donnell; Dylan Dorrian, Cathal McGettigan, Dara Black; Luke Barrett, Kane Barrett, Joey Cullen. Subs: Shane Black and Gavin Grier for D Black and Durning (53). 

Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary’s Convoy)