In-form Kilcormac-Killoughey show quality in comprehensive win

A sizzling attacking display followed by a disciplined defensive game gives Kilcormac-Killoughey the Junior A Football championship for 2023 and a return to Intermediate in 2024.

Tullamore Court Hotel Junior Football Championship final

Kilcormac-Killoughey 2-12

Edenderry 0-06

Kilcormac-Killoughey began the brighter as Dan Murray popped over the first score of the game, before Tom Spain sent over a great score coming  after nine minutes played. 

The game was slow paced to begin with, no real major threats at goal to muster. KK were playing most of the football thanke a strong first half breeze, and their shooting was largely done from distance as they went 0-3 to 0-0 ahead thanks to a nicely taken score from Peter Geraghty after 11 minutes, Edenderry not managing to have a shot at goal until the 14th minute of the game. 

Conor McCarthy did well to have a shot at goal, however his attempt was saved well by keeper Barry Leonard, but they did get their opening score from a free moments later from the boot of Jamie Dolan on 16 minutes.

The two sides were playing very conservative at times, but were trying their best to find options to work scores and KK added to their tally thanks to Shane Guinan’s point from a tricky angle after 20 minutes, before a mistake at the back allowed wing-back Leigh Kavanagh sent over a point to push KK’s lead out to four. 

KK’s defence was working well to force turnovers and not allow Edenderry to get shots off, and another one allowed Tadhg Donoghue to play an excellent ball into the path of Alex Kavanagh and he sent over a great point off his left to give his side a five point advantage coming up to the break. 

Peter Geraghty got another score before the end of the half, with Jamie Dolan sending over his second free to end, before another long range score from Tom Spain ended a strong half for KK with then leading by six, but playing into a strong wind in the second half. 

Kilcormac-Killoughey started the second half stronger as they got the first two scores thanks to a first score from a free from Alex Kavanagh, before one of the more unlikely scorers, Colm Leonard popped over to leave the double K’s eight in front. 

Edenderry were struggling once again, not making use of the wind and making poor usage of the ball as they tried to claw their way back into the match, but couldn’t convert their chances once presented to them, albeit from long range. 

Alex Kavanagh pushed the gap out to nine with a free from an awkward angle, as KK continued their dominance particularly from kick outs. 

On 43 minutes, the game was all but sealed for KK as good build up saw Alex Kavanagh bearing down on goal before he laid it off to Damien Kilmartin to bat it in and make it 1-11 to 0-02 with just over a quarter of an hour left to play.

It took until the 47th minute for Edenderry registered their score from play thanks to Mason Farrell, but KK made sure that the scoreline remained big as Alex Kavanagh buried the ball past Eric Corcoran to be all of sure of their victory. 

The game began petering out as both sides just wanted the game done as Ger Keyes blew the full time whistle and hence confirmed KK’s return to intermediate in 2024. Final score Kilcormac-Killoughey 2-12 - 0-06 Edenderry. 

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Peter Geraghty (Kilcormac-Killoughey): Kilcormac-Killoughey had some good performers all round the pitch, with Jordan Quinn, Damien Kilmartin showed their experience, Tom Spain was an engine in midfield, Colm Leonard had a good game at full back, while Alex Kavanagh had his shooting boots on. Peter Geraghty was outstanding throughout the 60 minutes. 0-3 from play and his build up was brilliant. 

THE SCORERS

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Alex Kavanagh 1-3 (2frees); Damien Kilmartin 1-0; Peter Geraghty 0-3; Tom Spain 0-2; Dan Murray, Shane Guinan, Leigh Kavanagh and Colm Leonard 0-1 each

Edenderry: Jamie Dolan (2frees) and Derek Kelly (1free) 0-2 each; Mason Farrell and Keith McGuinness 0-1 each.  

THE TEAMS

Kilcormac-Killoughey : Barry Leonard; James Mahon; Colm Leonard; Charlie Bracken; Colin Spain; Damien Kilmartin; Leigh Kavanagh; Jordan Quinn; Tom Spain; Peter Geraghty; Tomás Geraghty; Tadhg Donoghue; Alex Kavanagh; Dan Murray; Shane Guinan. Subs: James Gorman for Donoghue (49m) Oisin Guinan for Murray (54m); James Geraghty for Guinan (55m); Stephen Gleeson for Geraghty (57m); Ciaran Moore for Mahon (57m) 

Edenderry: Eric Corcoran; Rory Allen; Lorcan O’Dwyer; Barry Cullen; Jake Mooney; Eoin Farrell; Callum Dunne; Richard Dalton; Paul Hanlon; Cathal Nolan; Ciarán Nolan; Mark Forde; Jamie Dolan; Conor McCarthy; Mason Farrell. Subs: Mark McCarthy for Mooney (HT); Derek Kelly for Dolan (42m); Jake Connolly for Dunne (42m) Keith McGuinness for Nolan (48m) - .

Referee – Ger Keyes (Shamrocks).

REFEREE WATCH

Ger Keyes (Shamrocks): Ger Keyes refereed the game well and let the game flow as best he could. There were no real decisions to report majorly on and none to influence the result of the match. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH:

Damien Kilmartin’s goal on the 43rd minute was the game sealer as it pushed KK’s lead out and all but sealed victory. 

VENUE WATCH: 

Ballinagar hosted this final extremely well. Plenty of stewards on hand, with the pitch in good conditions considering the weather we’ve had this week. 

WHAT'S NEXT:

The season is now over for both teams. 

STATISTICS

Wides: Kilcormac-Killoughey - 7  (6 in the first half) ; Edenderry 7 (1 in the first half).

Yellow cards: Kilcormac-Killoughey – 0; Edenderry – 1 (Callum Dunne).

Black cards: 0.

Red cards: 0.