Down SFC Final

Kilcoo 1-13 Warrenpoint 0-15 AET

By Steve Malone at Páirc Esler

Defending AIB All-Ireland champions Kilcoo clinched a remarkable 11th Down club county title since 2009 after seeing off underdogs Cumann Pheadair Naofa in extra-time.

It was the third time this championship that both teams have played in extra-time and Kilcoo do what they did and got over the line.

Warrenpoint were chasing their first title since 1953 and played brilliantly to come within touching distance of the title but an impressive Kilcoo did enough in the first half of extra-time to keep the Point at bay.

It was a laboured opening few minutes with neither side showing their hand but Warrenpoint broke first and were rewarded with Ruairi McCormack popping over. A minute later Celium Doherty got Kilcoo off the mark.

But there was no-one running away with the game. Warrenpoint played with composure and bravery and they worked at finding gaps in the Kilcoo defence. Niall McGovern drilled over a score after Ruairi McGivern dispossessed Daryll Branagan but again Kilcoo replied with a Paul Devlin free.

Devlin, who has won 11 titles, was outstanding and a worthy man of the match winner, he directed much of Kilcoo’s traffic and picked off points when his side needed them.

Donagh McAleenan’s point gave CPN the lead for the third time, but Shealan Johnston’s reply was a touch of class. The teams were evenly matched as Jamie Grant’s marked edged CPN ahead for the fourth time, after a wonderful Ruairi McGivern delivery. Predictably Kilcoo responded with an unmarked Miceal Rooney firing between the posts.

Then came the breakthrough goal. Jerome Johnston kicked towards Laverty who caught the ball in his chest but only for a millisecond as in a flash, possession was with Ryan Johnston, who tore down towards keeper Gary McMahon, for a magnificent goal.

Rooney followed up with his second point as Kilcoo looked to flex their muscles but Donagh McAleenan and Alan Davidson (free) hit back to cut the half-time lead (Kilcoo 1-5 CPN 0-06).

John Boyle started at full-forward but it was a set-piece that failed to work. Devlin’s free on the 33rd minute put a goal between the teams.

And there was still a goal separating the teams as we entered the last ten minutes with Niall McGovern and Paddy Murdock pointing for CPN, while Rooney’s third and Doherty’s second kept Kilcoo ahead.

But Warrenpoint showed grit and determination and Alan Davidson displayed nerves of steel in the final few minutes to converted two frees and a cracking 45’ to send the game into extra-time (Kilcoo 1-08 CPN 0-11).

The Magpies killed the game off with a flurry of points from Paul Devlin, Ryan Johnston, Tiernan Fettes and Eugene Branagan, but in the second half of extra-time Davidson and Devlin exchanges frees to make it a one-point game, where Kilcoo held firm to get over the line.

Scorers for Kilcoo: Ryan Johnston 1-1, Paul Devlin 0-4 (3fs), Miceal Rooney 0-3, Celium Doherty 0-2, Shealan Johnston, Tiernan Fettes, and Eugene Branagan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Warrenpoint: Alan Davidson 0-6 (3fs, 145), Niall McGovern and Donagh McAleenan 0-2 each, Ruairi McGivern, Ruairi McCormack, Paddy Murdock, Jack Howlett, and Jamie Grant (m) 0-1 each.

Kilcoo: Niall Kane, Niall Branagan, Ryan McEvoy, Macdarragh Hynes, Anthony Morgan, Darryl Branagan, Miceal Rooney, Aaron Morgan, Dylan Ward, Celium Doherty, Ryan Johnston, Shealan Johnston, Conor Laverty, Jerome Johnston, Paul Devlin.

Subs: Tiernan Fettes for N Branagan (47’), Eugene Branagan for J Johnston (53’), Sean Og McCusker for Laverty (60’), J Johnston for R Johnston (67’), Macdarragh Hynes for M Rooney (70’), Laverty for S Johnston (79’).

Cumann Pheadair Naofa: Gary McMahon, Peter Sweeney, John Boyle, Ruairi McGivern, Ryan Boyle, Cormac McCartan, Donagh McAleenan, Ruairi McCormack, Jamie Grant, Niall McCartan, Alan Davidson, Eoghan Byrne, Niall McGovern, Paddy Murdock, Sean O’Hare.

Subs: Aaron Darcy for N McCartan (41’), Aaron Magee for O’Hare (47’), Ross McGarry for E Byrne (47’), Jamie Lynch for D McAleenan (56’), Conor Madden for N McGovern (60 +2), S O’Hare for Sweeney (63’), Jack Howlett for Murdock (67’), Eoin Carr for R McGivern (73’).

Referee: Darren O’Hare (Burren).