Paul Devlin, Kilcoo, and Patrick O'Reilly, Crosserlough, in AIB Ulster Club SFC action. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
AIB Ulster Club SFC Quarter-Final
Kilcoo 0-15 Crosserlough 1-10
By Steve Malone at Páirc Esler
Kilcoo passed their biggest test of the year against Crosserlough.
James Smith’s goal was the first time Kilcoo had gone behind by a goal in the championship this season. The Magpies pressed high, went man on man, made that bit easier as two Crosserlough players received black cards in the first half, Oran Rehill on 17 minutes and then Kieran Smith on 30+2 minutes.
Ryan Johnston made his first appearance since limping off with an ankle injury in the second round of the Down Senior Club Championship, while MacDarragh Hynes started with Chrissie Rooney missing out and it was Ryan would stroked over Kilcoo’s reply.
Brandon Boylan’s converted free restored Crosserlough’s three-point lead and when Callum Rogers hit back with drop-goal like point, it was only seconds later when Cavan star Dara McVeety slotted over.
Two points in as many minutes from Jerome Johnston, who was having a wonderful battle with Boylan, and Paul Devlin gave Kilcoo a firm footing back into the game.
Peter Smith and Ryan McEvoy (free) traded points before Crosserlough goalkeeper ghosted up field unmarked and coolly slotted over the bar, only 30-metres from goal.
It was a wake-up for Kilcoo and their compact attacking style engineered or drew fouls and Devlin was in fine tune to convert. Jerome Johnston lashed his shot over the bar to level the score on 29 minutes after keeper Niall Kane’s free dropped short and with two minutes additional time played Devlin converted with the last kick of the half to give the Down men a precious half-time lead, 0-8 to 1-4.
It was a tense third quarter as Kilcoo started with a numerical advantage and when Darryl Branagan rifled over it looked good for the Magpies.
But the Cavan champions were determined and they pressed Kilcoo back. Emmett Boylan scored a wonderful point. James Smith’s mark levelled the game for a third time and which saw Down boss Conor Laverty come off the bench and his first touch found Paul Devlin with a cross-field pass, which he called a mark and converted.
Devlin followed up with another converted point before Kevin Smith and Ryan McEvoy exchanged scores. It was thrilling end-to-end football and McVeety’s fine point was bettered by team-mate Rehill, whose stunning fetch and converted mark levelled the score with 10 frantic minutes to play.
Scores were at a premium and Laverty’s outside of the boot effort was worthy of a winner, but it was too early, on 55 minutes and then Matthew Costello picked the right time to chip in with his first score to level the game for fourth time.
Crosserlough’s hopes were dashed when McVeety became their third player to receive black card.
Five minutes additional time was announced when Devlin, under pressure somehow hooked a long distance short over the back to edge the Magpies ahead. Devlin subsequently converted a free to send Kilcoo into the winners enclosure and they know they were in a battle.
KILCOO: Niall Kane, Niall Branagan, Ryan McEvoy (0-02, 0-1 free), Callum Rogers (0-01), Miceal Rooney, Darryl Branagan, Eugene Branagan, Aaron Morgan, Ryan Johnston (0-02), MacDarragh Hynes, Anthony Morgan, Shealan Johnston, Ceilum Doherty, Jerome Johnston (0-02), Paul Devlin (0-07, 0-6 frees)
Subs: Conor Laverty (0-01) for E Branagan (40’), Jack Devlin for M Hynes (42’), Chrissie Rooney for J Johnston (60+4).
CROSSERLOUGH: Shane McManus (0-01), John Cooke, Patrick O’Reilly, Fionn Lovett, Cian Boylan, Conor Rehill, Kieran Smith (0-01), James Smith (1-01), Peter Smith (0-01), Oran Rehill (0-01, mark), Dara McVeety (0-02), Harry Boylan, Brandon Boylan (0-01 free), Emmett Boylan (0-01), Matthew Costello (0-01)
Subs: Eoin Cusack for B Boylan (49’), Stephen Smith for E Boylan (52’).
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry).
