Brilliant Byrne leads the way as Arles Killeen preserve senior status

Arles Killeen 2-17 

Clonaslee/St Manman’s 0-12 

ARLES Killeen are through to the Laois Shopping Centre Senior ‘B’ semi-final and more importantly have preserved their senior status for 2027 after running out comfortable winners over Clonaslee/St Manman’s in Ratheniska on Saturday afternoon.

Ennae Byrne was on song for Arles Killeen scoring a brilliant 1-8 with 1-6 of that coming from play which led his side to a convincing victory.

As for Clonaslee/St Manman’s they are now fighting for survival as they cannot afford another loss, or they will be playing Intermediate football for 2027.

It was actually Clonaslee- St Manman’s got off to the better start in this encounter with Adam McDermott finding the first point of the afternoon.

Their lead was then extended in the next attack through a two pointer from play by the impressive Cathal Lee.

The response from Arles Killeen was an impressive one as they reeled off four – points in a row in no time at all.

Eanna Byrne would kick three of those points from play while Paul Kingston would get the other one which was in the middle of Byrne’s three points.

Both sides then traded points with Colin Dunne getting his first of the day for Arles Killeen while Niall Corbet got off the mark for Clonaslee/St Manman’s.

Cathal Lee drew the sides level with another point from play, but Arles Killeen were slowly getting control around the middle of the field.

Byrne hit three more points, one being a two pointer to open up a three-point gap, but again Cathal Lee was keeping his side in the contest with a two pointer of his own.

The victors struck a crucial blow before half time with Oisin Byrne on target for his first point while Paul Kingston produced a moment of magic finding Sean O’Shea who hit the back of the net to give Arles Killeen a 1-9 to 0-7 lead at half time.

Colin Dunne opened up the scoring in the second half as Arles Killeen looked to the game beyond doubt early in the second half.

But Clonaslee St-Manman’s soon replied with a fine point from Manus Dunne, with Cathal Lee on target once more from a free to keep them in touch.

Colin Dunne and Lee swapped points in the 40th minute and Clonaslee St Manman’s would go scoreless for 13 minutes as Arles Killeen hit a purple patch.

Dunne, Ennae Byrne and Oisin Byrne would point for their side before the second goal of the game came through Ennae Byrne to finish the game as a contest.

Byrne would then add another point to his tally, before Clonaslee St Manman’s finally got back on the scoring act through James Dunne.

Oisin Byrne and Lee would trade further points in the closing stages as Arles- Killeen were at their ease.

Clonaslee St Manman’s stayed battling and kicked the last three points through John Rigney and two from Lee which mattered little as Arles Killeen ran out deserving winners.

SCORERS:

Arles Killeen: Ennae Byrne 1-8 (1tpf), Colin Dunne 0-5 (1tp), Oisin Byrne 0-3 (0-1f), Sean O’Shea 1-0, Paul Kingston 0-1.

Clonaslee/St Manman’s: Cathal Lee 0-10 (1tp, 1tpf, 0-4fs), Niall Corbet, Manus Dunne, John Rigney, Adam McDermott and James Dunne 0-1 each ARLES KILLEEN: Jason Enright; Eoin Kelly, Joe Mulhare, Enda O’Rourke; Michael Wall, Noel Gaughan, Adam Donoghue; Donie Kingston, Oisin Byrne; Sean O’Shea, Paul Kingston, Ben Griffin; O’Rourke, Ennae Byrne, Colin Dunne.

Subs: John Mahon for D Kinston (49m), Gerry McWey for N O’Rourke (53m), Conor Keightley for P Kingston (55m), Michael Wall for E O’Rourke (60m), Kevin Lambe for Gaughan (61m).

CLONASLEE/ST MANMAN’S: Oisin Keating; Diarmuid Conroy, Liam Senior, DJ Callaghan; James Dunne, Darragh Scully, Noah Flynn; Cian Callaghan, Adam McDermott; John Rigney, Niall Corbet, Manus Dunne; James McRedmond, Cathal Lee, Manus Dunne.

Subs: Niall Hogan for M Dunne (45m), Ger Reilly for McRedmond (52m), Tom Smith for Downey (55m), Patrick Hyland for Flynn (57m).

Referee: Eugene Dowdall (Ballylinan)