KILCAR 1-15 2-10 MALIN
Malin made the long trek south on Sunday to Kilcar, in the hope of continuing their impressive unbeaten run in the All County League but unfortunately went down by 2 points to the hosts.
Terence Colhouns charges buoyed by two excellent away wins over the June bank holiday weekend against Termon and St Michaels, were forced to lineout without a few regulars, most noticeably county players Declan Walsh and Stephen Mc Laughlin, the former making a late appearance in the final quarter in attempt to salvage something for his side.
It was clear from the off that this was going to be nothing like the one sided encounter in Connolly Park earlier in the season when the Towney men ran out convincing winners against a very much depleted Malin side.
Both sides had soon settled into their stride and the game was all-square at 0-3 apiece when Matthew Mc Clean hit the opening goal of the game for the home side on 13 mins.
The action ebbed from end to end and it wasn’t long until the Connolly Park side had edged in front courtesy of a well-taken goal from the lively Terence Doherty.
Malin suffered a cruel blow when the influential Michael Byrne was shown a black card near the end of the half and an identical coloured car was shown to Kilcars David Mc Shane by referee Andrew Mullin.
Both sides were locked at 1-7 apiece when the half time whistle sounded.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first and Malin had regained the lead on 32 mins with a point from Matthew Byrne who was proving his accuracy from all angles.
Mark Sweeney of Kilcar was shown the 3rd black card of the afternoon but then home side then enjoyed somewhat of a purple patch hitting 5 unanswered points with Patrick Mc Brearty very much to the fore.
Malin to their credit refused to buckle and when Matthew Byrne found the back of the net to leave the score 1-14 to 2-9, the game was firmly in the proverbial melting point.
Malin threw everything at the home side in the final 10 mins between but unfortunately Kilcar packed their defense and were able to hold out for the win.
While Terence Colhoun will undoubtedly disappointed with the outcome, he will be very pleased with his sides battling performance especially in the second half after Kilcar had went 5 points clear.
Up next for Malin is a home clash with N Conaill on Sunday and if the men in Black N Amber can produce a similar type of performance, the win will be well within their grasp.
Kilcar: Kevin Campbell; Pauric Carr, Conor McShane, Patrick Gallagher; Mark McHugh, Barry Shovlin, Eoin McHugh; Ciaran McGinley, David McShane; Glen McBrearty, Ryan McHugh, Mark Sweeney; Conor Doherty, Patrick McBrearty, Matthew McClean.
Malin: Declan Lafferty; Conor Farren, Damian Harkin, Gary Farren; Patrick McLaughlin, Charlie Byrne, Ciaran McColgan; John Gerard McLaughlin, A Kelly, Adam Byrne, Matthew Byrne, Brendan McLaughlin; Terence Doherty, M Lafferty, Michael Byrne.