Gavin McPhillips, Scotstown, and Aaron Morgan, Kilcoo, in AIB Ulster Club SFC action. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
AIB Ulster Club SFC Semi-Final
Kilcoo 5-10 Scotstown 0-14
By Steve Malone at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds
Four goals in eight minutes sent Kilcoo into the Ulster Final after they got revenge over Scotstown in a thrilling encounter.
After a shaky enough start it was Kilcoo at their best picked Scotstown apart and had they been a bit sharper in the early exchanges the Down champions could have won by even more.
Kilcoo slammed home two goals in as many minutes to put them firmly into the driving seat as Scotstown entered the dressing room at half-time wondering what had just happened.
That’s because the Monaghan champions had spent much of the first 28 minutes trying to get on par with the Magpies only to cut down in a flash.
Kilcoo set the tempo with their typical aggressive tackling and impress turnovers, but it was at the other end they lacked the clinical edge we have been accustomed to.
While Kilcoo had restricted Scotstown to only two shots on target in the first quarter, the Down champions had only scored twice and kicked four wides. Chrissy Rooney, who was a late replacement for ace marksman Paul Devlin, fired home from close range after Anthony Morgan’s effort rebounded off the post.
Then seconds later Jerome Johnston’s lashed shot was saved by Beggan, but the rebound struck team-mate Shane Carey and trickled into the net. That gave Kilcoo a 2-5 to 0-5 lead and Jerome Johnston’s point gave his side a seven-point half-time lead.
Before that goal-burst, the impressive Anthony Morgan, Ryan Johnston, Niall Kane (45’) and Shealan Johnston all pointed as did Scotstown’s Darragh Murray, Shane Carey, keeper Rory Beggan and Shane Carey to level matters on 24 minutes. Jerome Johnston and James Hamill traded points before the goal-rush.
Kilcoo kept their foot on Scotstown’s throat with two goals within the first 10 minutes of the second half to put the game to bed.
Miceal Rooney squeezed his effort into the net after and Celium Doherty slipped him the pass and then Doherty drilled home with his left peg to march into a 4-7 to 0-7.
The brilliant midfielder Michael McCarville, Jack McCarron, Beggan, Murray, Ross McKenna, Emmett Caufield all registered second half scores with brothers Jerome and Ryan Johnston, Rooney and Morgan replying for the Magpies.
And to rule out any hint of a comeback Miceal Rooney rattled his second goal on 58 minutes after collecting Jerome Johnston’s long-range delivery at the back post.
The game finished with black cards to Kilcoo’s Doherty and Scotstown captain Damien McArdle as the Magpies await for tomorrow’s semi-final to find out if they play Tyrone’s Errigal Ciaran or Armagh’s Clann Eireann.
Kilcoo: Niall Kane (0-1, 45’), Niall Branagan, Ryan McEvoy, Callum Rogers, Miceal Rooney (2-0), Darryl Branagan, Eugene Branagan, Aaron Morgan (0-1), Ryan Johnston (0-2), Jack Devlin, Anthony Morgan (0-1), Shealan Johnston (0-1), Ceilum Doherty (1-0), Jerome Johnston (0-3, 1f), Chrissie Rooney (1-1)
Subs: Conor Laverty for C Rooney (39’), Nathan Rogers for J Devlin (54’).
Scotstown: Rory Beggan (0-2, 2fs), Darragh Murray (0-2), Kieran Hughes, Jack McDevitt, Ryan O’Toole, Damien McArdle, Conor McCarthy (0-1), Michael McConville (0-2, 1f), Gavin McPhilips (0-1), Jason Carey, Shane Carey (0-1, f), James Hamill (0-2), Francis Maguire, Darren Hughes, Jack McCarron (0-2, 1f).
Subs: Emmett Cauldfield (0-1) for J McKevitt (45’’), Mark McPhilips for G McPhilips (56’).
Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone).
