Kilcavan edge Mountmellick to reach first Intermediate final in over 60 years

Intermediate Football Championship s/f

Kilcavan 2-10 

Mountmellick 2-7 

 KILCAVAN booked their place in the Laois Shopping Centre Intermediate Football Championship final after overcoming parish neighbours Mountmellick by three points in a thrilling semi-final at the LOETB Centre of Excellence on Friday evening.

In a game that had everything expected of a local derby, Kilcavan survived a frantic finish to secure a historic victory and reach their first intermediate final since the early 1960s with hopes of reaching the senior grade for the first time in the clubs’ history.

There was drama from the very first minute as Kilcavan created two excellent goal chances in quick succession. Rory Lalor saw his effort brilliantly saved by Mountmellick goalkeeper Adam Connolly, before Connolly again came to his side’s rescue by denying Ian Dunne.

Kilcavan did open the scoring through Niall Lalor, but Mountmellick responded with a point from Shane Conran.

Kilcavan regained the lead when Cian Ryle converted a free after Mountmellick were penalised for breaching the three-man-up rule. Ryle added another free soon afterwards.

Mountmellick then struck for the game’s opening goal. Jarlath Connolly played a clever ball into Tadhg Culliton, who finished clinically to the net.

Kilcavan responded in style, with Sean Lalor producing a great finish for their first goal. Jarlath Connolly added a point for Mountmellick before Kilcavan stretched their advantage through points from Aaron Tarpey and Niall Lalor.

Ian Dunne added another score before the break, leaving Kilcavan in front by 1-6 to 1-2 at half-time.

Mountmellick started the second half with renewed purpose, with Conran converting a free before Jim Scully added another point.

Kilcavan then delivered a major blow when Evan Hunt produced a fantastic ball into Adam Hunt, who finished to the net for their second goal.

Hunt added a point shortly afterwards following a superb turnover by Tarpey on the halfway line, while Sean Lalor also raised a white flag.

Mountmellick refused to go away. Scully played a high ball into Colm Coss, who fired home to give his side a second goal and bring them right back into contention.

Scully followed with a point and Conran added another free as Mountmellick continued to apply pressure.

Kilcavan responded with a point from Rory Lalor, while Ryle then split the posts from a tight angle. Jack Gorman added a late point for Mountmellick, setting up a frantic finale.

With six minutes of injury time played, the game descended into a dramatic end-to-end battle. There were sore bodied everywhere as both sides threw everything into the contest, with Mountmellick desperately seeking the scores that would bring them level.

Kilcavan, though, held their nerve and defended their lead until the final whistle. The celebrations among the Kilcavan supporters at the finish told their own story. After more than six decades, the club are back in an intermediate final.

SCORERS:

Kilcavan: Adam Hunt 1-1, Cian Ryle 0-3 (0-2fs), Niall Lalor and Sean Lalor 0-2 each, Aaron Tarpey, Ian Dunne, and Rory Lalor 0-1 each.

Mountmellick: Tadhg Culliton and Colm Coss 1-0 each, Shane Conran 0-3 (0-2fs), Jim Scully 0-2, Jarlath Connolly and Jack Gorman 0-1 each.

KILCAVAN: Killian Doyle; Tristan Hunt, Mick Birmingham, Michael Hyland; Rob Hunt, Evan Hunt, Niall Lalor; Aaron Tarpey, Dara Hughes; Ian Dunne, Cian Ryle, Ronan Gorry; Rory Lalor, Sean Lalor, Adam Hunt.

Subs: Gearoid Treacy for S. Lalor (55m), Ben O’Keefe for E. Hunt (61m), and Paul Bolton for Hughes (64m).

MOUNTMELLICK: Adam Connolly; Aidan Byrne, Robbie McEvoy, Shane Conran; Cian Rafter, Jack Gorman, Tom O’Connell; Oisin Hade, Tadhg Culliton; Pete Culleton, Jim Scully, Shane Conran; Darren Fitzpatrick, Colm Coss, Jarlath Connolly.

Subs: Rory Culleton for Byrne (27m, inj), Ciaran McHugh for McEvoy (ht), Finn Culleton for Culliton (41m), David Kelly for P. Culleton (55m), Conn Maher for S. Conran (61m).

Referee: Hugh Coghlan (Park/Ratheniska)