Dominant third quarter drives Stradbally past Killeshin

Stradbally 2-22 

Killeshin 2-16 

A DEVASTATING third-quarter burst helped Stradbally overcome an impressive opening from Killeshin and begin their Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship campaign with a six-point victory in Ratheniska on Wednesday evening.

The eventual winners looked to be in trouble during the first half as Killeshin, aided by a strong breeze, built up a five-point advantage and appeared to be in complete control. However, Stradbally rallied before the interval to erase the deficit and then took command after the restart.

A run of 1-6 without reply in the opening 15 minutes of the second half proved decisive. Killeshin did mount a late comeback and reduced the margin to a single point, but Stradbally finished with the final five scores of the game to seal a deserved success.

Killeshin could hardly have asked for a better start. Adam Farrell pointed within seconds of the throw-in and although Benny Lawlor replied from a free, Killian Roche restored their lead from a 45. Fionn McEvoy levelled matters again before the sides continued to exchange scores in an entertaining opening.

Points from Evan English and Evan Lowry helped Killeshin edge ahead, while Conor Buggie kept Stradbally within touching distance. Despite playing against the wind, Stradbally briefly moved in front when Liam Knowles showed excellent technique to split the posts from outside the arc for a two-pointer.

That score was followed by Killeshin's strongest spell of the evening. Lowry landed a brace of points, while English was unfortunate not to raise a green flag when he fired over from a promising position. Conor Heffernan and Conor Hassett also found the target as Killeshin rattled off six consecutive points to establish a healthy lead.

Stradbally badly needed something to halt the momentum and Joe Larkin provided exactly that. Collecting possession from Eoin Buggie, he took on the Killeshin defence almost single-handedly, bursting through a number of challenges before firing an excellent finish to the net.

Even then, Killeshin continued to look comfortable and Roche added another point to leave four between the teams. Yet the closing stages of the half belonged entirely to Stradbally. Eoin Buggie contributed two points and goalkeeper Garry Comerford converted a two-point free to draw level by half-time.

With the wind now at their backs, Stradbally carried that momentum into the second half. David Donohue got the scoreboard moving before Tom Shiel added an excellent two-pointer. Donohue followed up with another score and moments later Stradbally struck for their second goal.

A Killeshin kick-out failed to find its target and Lawlor seized possession. After exchanging passes with Shiel, he blasted an unstoppable shot beyond Roche to put daylight between the sides.

Stradbally's task became slightly more difficult when Conor Buggie was shown a black card in the 39th minute. However, Killeshin failed to make the numerical advantage count and managed just one score while he was off the field.

Donohue continued to influence proceedings and kicked two more points, the second arriving after Stradbally punished a turnover on Roche in the Stradbally half. Roche eventually ended a lengthy barren spell for his side with a two-point free, but Donohue responded again to leave Stradbally nine clear with just over ten minutes remaining.

Killeshin were not finished yet. Heffernan and Lowry both pointed before Lowry found the net to spark hopes of a comeback. A second goal followed in unusual fashion when Michael Doran's looping effort dropped kindly for Farrell, who reacted quickest to volley home from close range.

Suddenly only a point separated the teams, but Stradbally refused to panic. McEvoy steadied the ship before substitute Dineen made a major contribution with three points from play. Conor Buggie also added his name to the scoresheet as Stradbally closed out the contest in convincing fashion and secured their place in the winners' section of the Round 2 draw.

SCORERS:

Stradbally: David Donohue 0-6 (0-1f), Benny Lawlor 1-1 (0-1f), Joe Larkin 1-0, David Dineen 0-3 (0-1f), Liam Knowles (1 tp), Garry Comerford (1 tpf), Tom Shiel (1 tp), Conor Buggie, Eoin Buggie and Fionn McEvoy 0-2 each.

Killeshin: Evan Lowry 1-3, Killian Roche 0-5 (2 tpf, 0-1 45), Adam Farrell 1-1, Conor Heffernan, Evan English and Conor Hassett (1 tp) 0-2 each, Eoin Lowry 0-1.

STRADBALLY: Garry Comerford; Sean Maher, Liam Knowles, Conor McDonald; Eoin Buggie, James Devoy, Ben Dillon; Jack Deegan, Fionn McEvoy; Damien Murphy, Conor Buggie, Joe Larkin; Benny Lawlor, Tom Shiel, David Donohue.

Subs: David Dineen for Larkin (41-43m, blood), David Dineen for Lawlor (55m).

KILLESHIN: Killian Roche; Jack Brennan, Dave McDermott, James Davis; Michael Gaffney, Cathal Byrne, Pauric Moore; Michael Doran, Conor Heffernan; Adam Farrell, Evan Lowry, Jack Milton; Evan English, Conor Hassett, Eoin Lowry.

Subs: Leeson Hughes for Moore (39m), James Doogue for Byrne (47m), Pa Fitzgerald for Brennan (51m).

Referee: Brendan McCann (Portarlington)