Jack McSharry’s late point was enough for Killybegs to retain their Division 1 status with a one point win over Glenswilly at the Davy Brennan Memorial Park.
Killybegs 0-10 Glenswilly 0-9
By Charlie Collins
Conor Cunningham kicked four superb points against the wind in the second half as Glenswilly were relegated to Division 2.
Glenswilly started well and points from play by Gary McFadden and two Michael Murphy points, one from a free, saw them lead by three after eleven minutes.
After taking time to settle, Killybegs replied with two quick points from Christopher Mulligan and Christopher Murrin which had them back in the game and just a point behind.
Following a scoreless period, Killybegs struck again with two points, John Ban Gallagher from play and a fine Conor Cunningham free from distance had them ahead for the first time in the 21st minute, 0-4 to 0-3.
However, Glenswilly, who were playing into a strong breeze, hit back almost immediately with a super long range free from Murphy and an excellent Caoimhin Marley point from play had them ahead again.
Killybegs had them final say of the half with Jack McSharry’s converted free to leave it 0-5 points apiece at the break.
It took just over nine minutes before we had a score in the second-half, Cormac Callaghan racing forward to hit a cracker, 0-06 to 0-05 to Glenswilly.
A quick break from defense produced another excellent Glenswilly score, Jack Kelly run and pass setting up Michael Murphy who finished with style and Glenswilly led by two.
It didn’t last long as Conor Cunningham struck two super long range frees to leave them level again at 0-07 apiece with twelve minutes remaining.
Next it was Glenswilly’s turn to react and they did with super points from distance by both Sean Wogan and Caoimhin Marley to again lead by two , 0-9 to 0-7.
Conor Cunningham again replied with another monster free, his third in a row and there was once again a point between the teams, but not for long.
Cunningham made it four super frees in a row, with probably the best of them all and then Jack McSharry took advantage of a defender’s slip to race through and put Killybegs ahead 0-10 to 0-9.
Glenswilly : Keelin McFadden , Ruairi Crawford, Mark McAteer ,Caolan Kelly , Cormac Callaghan ( 0-01 ), Ryan Diver , Jake Kelly, Sean Wogan (0-01) , Caoimhe Marley ( 0-02), Sean Collum , Gary McFadden ( 0-01 ), Oisin Crawford, Shane McDevitt , Michael Murphy ( 0-04/2f’s), Jack Gallagher.
Subs: Shane McDaid for McAteer (20mins), Gary Kelly for Collum (50mins).
Killybegs: Corey Byrne, Darragh McClean, Cillian Gildea, Charlie Breslin, Ryan Carr, John Ban Gallagher (0-1), Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Evan Broderick, Rory Colyer, Chris Mulligan (0-1), Jack McSharry (0-2), Christopher Murrin ( 0-1), Conor Cunningham (0-5f’s), Ryan Cunningham, Shaun Gorrell.
Subs: Oran McGuinness and Chris Cunningham for Breslin and McClean
Referee: Michael McShane (Kilcar).