Craigbane 1-8
Killeeshil 0-7
A storming final quarter saw Craigbane pull clear of Killeeshil on Saturday evening to book their quarter-final spot.
Lee Moore’s stoppage time goal was the insurance score as the Derry champions came from two points down to hit 1-3 without reply in a well contested game.
Both teams needed late goals to win their respective county finals but from the moment Brian Rainey levelled with eight minutes to play at Owenbeg, Craigbane had wrestled themselves into the box seat.
Conor McLaughlin kicked them into the lead and when Packie McMullan pulled a free wide with Killeeshil’s chance to force extra-time, Craigbane’s composure came to the fore.
For long passages of play it looked like Craigbane wouldn’t win without finding the net but Moore’s goal was a mere cushion.
After Jude Óg Moore’s long ball bounced over a Killeeshil defender, Fergal Mortimer fed Moore who stepped around ‘keeper Reilly before tucking to the net.
When Reilly struck Moore as he celebrated, referee Mallon had no option but brandish a red card.
Up until then, it was a tough but fair championship game that hung in the balance until Craigbane turned the screw.
The winners’ man of the moment was Bliain Gormley. Jude Óg Moore was an excellent supporting act but Gormley was the epitome of leadership.
After a litany of serious injuries, he was still trucking away. A lesser man would’ve retired long ago. And Craigbane wouldn’t be planning Sunday’s trip to take on Knockbride without him.
His hour was as complete a performance as you’re going to get. The only blot was letting a ball slip through his hands that led to Bernard O’Neill’s 45 on the cusp of half-time.
Tactically, Brian Rainey, wearing number 13, pulled out as the extra player around midfield, leaving scoring duo Lee Moore and Jude McLaughlin as an inside duo.
It allowed Packie McMullan to play as the sweeper but Craigbane were still able to stretch them enough to create openings once they settled.
Killeeshil sent Adam McConnell out to pick up Fergal Mortimer at wing forward before changing up their marking arrangements at half-time.
Later in the game, Aaron Sharkey came on for Jude McLaughlin with Mortimer pushing closer to goal. It helped suck Killeeshil further back into their shell and it was there that Mortimer made the clinching goal.
Rainey, Gormley, Jacob McElhinney and Jude Óg Moore worked their socks off in the middle third.
Craigbane’s case was helped further then Killeeshil pulled Mark Monaghan away from his centre-forward berth. It allowed Rory Moore to mop up anything directed through the centre.
If anything, Killeeshil’s greater threat came in the second quarter but it was Bliain Gormley doubling up that shored the Craigbane defence even more.
It was a game of two key scoring bursts. The sides shared six points in the first 11 minutes. Then where was a lull until Craigbane’s dash to the finish line.
Overall, it was an excellent contest. The teams were well matched. In tricky condition the players put together some excellent passages of play with every ball contested like the game depended on it. And, in a game of fine margins, every bounce of the ball was vital.
It was Killeeshil who set down an early marker with a Dillon O’Neill point after a mere 20 seconds when the ball was worked upfield from the throw-in.
A high ball into the Killeeshil defence wasn’t cleared after Bernard O’Neill’s punch and David Lowry levelled matters.
That was the story of the first 11 minutes. Point for point. Ciaran Reilly’s excellent kick-out put Mark Monaghan on the way to setting up Hoy for a score.
A well worked move saw Jude Óg Moore kick Craigbane level again before an off the ball tug on Hoy handed Cormac Donaghy with an easy free from close range.
Brian Rainey and Fergal Mortimer combined for Jude McLaughlin to score and Craigbane almost went ahead only for goalkeeper Reilly to pull Eoin Coll’s shot from above the bar.
A second Jude Óg Moore put Craigbane ahead for the first time but it was Killeeshil who finished the half on the front foot.
When Oisin O’Donnell’s pass was cut out by Luke Donnelly, Donaghy passed to Hoy who scored on the turn and it was a 45 from Bernard O’Neill who put Killeeshil into a 0-5 to 0-4 interval lead.
If the first 10 minutes of the game was entertaining, the same spell after half-time was a grind.
Jude McLaughlin left a shot short into the ‘keeper while Bliain Gormley dived full length to deny Hoy a chance.
While they didn’t score, Killeeshil began to get forward more but it was Craigbane’s defence who stood tall.
When Luke Donnelly got in behind, he was fouled and Donaghy kicked the Tyrone side two points clear.
In the scheme of things, a two-point margin was significant but as Craigbane began to play pass the parcel, it was Bliain Gormley who pulled the trigger on their first score of the second half, a ball that bounced over the bar.
Just when Craigbane threatened a comeback, Oisin O’Donnell was blown up for taking too many steps and Hoy passed for Michael O’Neill to kick a score from the wing but it was their last score.
It was Craigbane’s time to shine. With 10 minutes to go, they could’ve found the net when Jude Óg Moore went through. He was fouled but when Lee Moore pulled his goal chance side, the advantage was over and the latter converted a close-range free.
When Aaron Sharkey reacted first to the next kick-out, the ball was worked through the hands before Lee Moore kicked goalward. Bernard O’Neill’s half block saw the ball spin over the head of Michael Carty and Brian Rainey squeezed a shot over.
The sides were level and the momentum was all with Craigbane. But they had to see off Jason Doyle’s half goal chance.
In the next play, James McLaughlin rode a tackle begore laying off to Conor McLaughlin who landed the lead score for Craigbane. It was a fine combination from two players who gave the winners much energy on the attack across the hour.
Killeeshil did have their last throw of the dice but when they failed to tie the game, Craigbane punished with the game’s only goal. Sin é.
Scorers:
Craigbane: Lee Moore 1-1 (1f), Jude Óg Moore 0-2, Bliain Gormley, David Lowry, Conor McLaughlin, Jude McLaughlin and Brian Rainey 0-1 each
Killeeshil: Cormac Donaghy (2fs), Tomás Hoy 0-2 each, Bernard O’Neill (45), Michael O’Neill and Dillon O’Neill 0-1 each
Craigbane: Ben O'Kane; Eoin Coll, David Lowry, Oisin O'Donnell; Conor McLaughlin, Rory Moore, James McLaughlin; Bliain Gormley, Jude Óg Moore; Jacob McElhinney, Cahir O'Kane, Fergal Mortimer; Brian Rainey, Lee Moore, Jude McLaughlin
Subs: Aaron Sharkey for Jude McLaughlin (43), Niall Cartin for C O’Kane (INJ 61)
Yellow card: B Gormley (46)
Killeeshil: Ciaran Reilly; Ciaran O'Neill, Bernard O'Neill, Adam McGonnell; Michael Carty, Conall Monaghan, Eoin Neill; Paul O'Neill, Dillon O'Neill; Luke Donnelly, Mark Monaghan, Cormac Donaghy; Micheal O'Neill, Tomas Hoy, Packie McMullan
Subs: Gary Reilly for Donaghy (43), Jason Doyle for Neill (49), Cahill Rafferty for Donnelly (59), Michael Conlan for M Monaghan (64)
Yellow cards: C Donaghy (15), L Martin (20)
Red card: C Reilly (63)
Referee: Enda Mallon (Armagh)
