Johnstownbridge advance to knock-out stages with win over Kilcock

SFC Group D

Johnstownbridge 1-10

Kilcock 0-10

Johnstownbridge made it two wins from two with this three point victory over Kilcock in Group D of the Joe Mallon SFC at Manguard Park on Sunday afternoon.

It was, however, a far from convincing display from The Bridge and while they led for most of the game they failed to put Kilcock away and had a bit of a late scare but survived and are now assured to advance to the knock-out stages.

Johnstownbridge led by two at the break, 1-5 to 0-6, in a game that Kilcock were leading up to a penalty being awarded in the 20 minute, David Duke fouling Dean Kelly, Sam Doran putting away the spot kick.

Cian O'Sullivan gave Kilcock the lead after three with Josh O'Donoghue leveling up three minutes later.

David Duke regained the lead before Kilcock had a great goal chance after a very slick move ended with Brendan Gibbons crashing his effort off the crossbar, the ball falling to Shane Farrell who punched over to make it 0-3 to 0-1 on 12 minutes.

Josh O'Donoghue got his second for The Bridge but again Kilcock replied with Eoin McArdle kicking a lovely ball into Findlay Nairn, who took the mark quick, getting the ball to Eoin McArdle who popped it over to make it 0-4 to 0-2 on 18 minutes.

Then Bridge penalty arrived as Paddy O'Donoghue's took the lead for the first time 1-2 to 0-4. Josh O'Donoghue landed his third to increase the lead before Shane Farrell fired high and over.

Shane O'Haire converted a free before a great move saw Kilcock's Kevin Diffley being denied by a brilliant save from Eoin Sheehan, the ball going out for a 45 which Shane Farrell but before the break another converted free from O'Haire saw the led out to two as the half-time whistle arrived JTB leading 1-5 to 0-6.

It was that man Sean O'Haire who added to his first half tally of two to stretch the lead and added a second on 36 minutes.

Shane Farrell reduced the lead with a free but it was O'Haire stretched the lead again with his fifth.

A Findlay Nair 'mark' kept Kilcock in with a chance but Shane O'Haire converted a mark to leave four between the sides.

Five wides on the trot for Johnstownbridge certainly did nothing for their cause; Shane Farrell reduced the gap to three with three minutes remaining.

Paul Cribbin was given a black, as Farrell converted the free, and we were back to a two point margin. However that man O'Haire came to the rescue of The Bridge with an excellent free from all of 55.

Back came Kilcock looking for a similar score that got last week against Moorefield and it was Kevin Diffley who saw his shot deflected out for a 45 which fell short as the final whistle arrived.

Scorers: Johnstownbridge, Sean O'Haire 0-7 (4 frees, mark), Sam Doran 1-0 (penalty), Josh O'Donoghue 0-3.

Kilcock, Shane Farrell 0-6 (3 frees, 45); David Duke 0-1, Eoin McArdle 0-1, Cian O'Sullivan 0-1, Findlay Nairn 0-1 (mark).

JOHNSTOWNBRIDGE: Eoin Sheehan; Shane Flanagan, Tomas Von Engelbrechten, Joey Higgins; Keith Cribbin, Shane Flynn, Aaron McNally; Paul Cribbin, Seamus McNally; Dean Kelly, Cathal McNally, Sam Doran; Josh Donoghue, Sean O'Haire, Darragh Sloane. Subs: Kevin Lynch for Shane Lanagan (53 minutes); Luke O'Connor for Aaron McNally (54 minutes).

KILCOCK: Jason O'Brien; Luke Sheridan, Mark Durkan, Rory O'Brien; Niall McKenna, Cian O'Sullivan, Daniel Courtney; Kevin Diffley, Brendan Gibbons; Danny Maguire, David Duke, Eoin McArdle. Subs: Danny Byrne for Cian O'Sullivan (45 minutes); Joe Fitzmaurice for Eoin McArdle (53 minutes).

REFEREE: Matthew Redmond.