Kilcar make the long trek home from Malin with two Division 1 points in the bag
A first-half streak of 1-3 for Kilcar away at Malin's Connolly Park proved to be vital as Michael Hegarty's side picked up a useful away win
Kilcar made the long trip north to Malin worthwhile with a four-point victory on Saturday evening in Division 1 of the All-County Football League.
A goal from Ryan Jones 15 minutes in proved vital for the side managed by Michael Hegarty.
Malin started the better with the first three scores, opening the scoring from the off with Conor O'Neill, after a great catch from impressive Ciaran O'Kane.
Christopher McLaughlin then took a high mark and scored from out on the right. Daniel Mullarkey was then kept busy with a high catch from well over the bar preventing a sure point and then and then he produced an even better save as Kilcar forward Mark Sweeney advanced.
McLaughlin put Malin three ahead shortly after working well with Adam McGonagle. Kilcar though then hit 1-3 without reply as they first pointed up the left with Eoin McHugh before Ryan Jones goaled soon after after being put through by McHugh.
Mark Sweeney extended the lead and Conor Doherty drove just after the bar soon after. Christopher McLaughlin stemmed the tide slightly with a well struck 45'. Eoin McHugh scored for Kilcar again but Ciaran O'Kane marked and scored in reply.
Conor Doherty pointed through the centre and Matthew McClean scored as the visitors stretched lead out to four points. Ciaran Doherty scored a nice point up the right to keep in touch and leave the halftime score 1-6 to 0-6.
Malin started the second half strongly with a foul on Ciaran O'Kane seeing no advantage so Christopher McLaughlin tapped over the free and then Brendan McLaughlin got Malin back to within a point with a good score off his right. After a long period of keep ball from both sides
Conor Doherty got the next score for the visitors
after he linked well with Ryan Jones. Matthew McClean then freed after Ryan McShane was fouled and again there was a goal between the sides. Ciaran O'Kane turned sharply to reduce the deficit going into the last ten minutes. McShane then scored himself up the left to stretch the lead out again and as Malin tried to push on Mark Sweeney got another point as the men from the south west managed the game from then to the final whistle.
Malin scorers: Christopher McLaughlin 0-4 1f, 1m, 1 45; Ciaran O'Kane 0-2 1m; Conor O'Neill, Ciaran Doherty and Brendan McLaughlin 0-1.
Kilcar scorers: Ryan Jones 1-0, Conor Doherty 0-3, Mark Sweeney and Eoin McHugh 0-2, Matthew McClean 0-2, 1f; Ryan McShane 0-1.
Malin: Daniel Mullarkey; Mac McLaughlin, Ciaran Doherty, Adam McGonagle; Darragh Douglas, Conor Farren, Sean Byrne; John Gerard McLaughlin, Christopher McLaughlin; Conor O'Neill, Josh Conlan, Ciaran O'Kane; Terence Doherty, Sean O'Neill, Paul McLaughlin. Subs: Brendan McLaughlin for Darragh Douglas (20), Seamus Houghton for Brendan McLaughlin (57), Finn Ward for Ciaran O'Kane (57), Michael Walsh for Conor Farren (57)
Kilcar: Kevin Campbell; Barry McGinley, Pauric Carr, Paddy McShane; Ryan McShane, Mark McHugh, Oran Doogan; Eoin McHugh, Stephen McBrearty; Ryan Jones, Conor Doherty, Ryan O'Donnell; Mark Sweeney, Gary Molloy and Matthew McClean. Subs Pauric McShane for Paddy McShane (52)
Referee: Anthony McCallig (Naomh Ultan)