Ryle’s late strike shatters Barcelona dreams and sends Kilcavan into the semi-finals

Leinster Club Junior Football Championship q/f 

Kilcavan 1-9 

Barcelona Gaels 0-11 

THERE was a hint of glamour about Kilcavan's Leinster Club Junior Football Championship quarter-final tie as they welcomed Barcelona Gaels to Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Saturday afternoon.

Though the city in Catalonia is far more renowned for football of a different breed, Barcelona Gaels proved to be a stern test for Kilcavan, as the Laois champions required a 65th minute free from Cian Ryle to clinch the victory.

An exciting game was expected as Kilcavan's 0-5 to 0-4 victory over Craobh Chíaráin the previous week was an outlier for them as they've shown plenty of excellent attacking football during the summer, while Barcelona Gaels looked extremely impressive in dispatching Conahy Shamrocks of Kilkenny by 3-11 to 1-5 in their Round 1 fixture.

The European champions boasted some strong players on their panel with midfielder Conor Murphy having experience at senior intercounty level with Fermanagh and goalkeeper Jack Carey involved with Dublin up to U/20 level.

It was their full-forward from Dingle, Tomás Sheehy, who stood out the most with an excellent display of free taking with a wonderful left boot and it was a fantastic score from the Kerryman in the 62nd minute that appeared to send the game to injury time.

That was until Cian Ryle kicked a heart-breaking score for the Barcelona Gaels faithful from a free in front of the posts in the 65th minute that sent the Kilcavan contingent into raptures.

Kilcavan took the lead just seconds after referee Ultan McElroy threw in the ball as Ryle and Oisin Lalor combined with a brilliant passing move to send Rory Lalor into space to slot between the posts.

Mere seconds later the reply came from Sheehy as Barcelona Gaels flexed their attacking muscles early on and should have added two from play in the aftermath but the efforts dropped into the grateful grasp of Darragh McEvoy.

Robert Hunt was excellent at half-back throughout the game for Kilcavan and he kicked a fine score in the fifth minute, but that would be the end of Kilcavan's scoring for 20 minutes as the visitors took total control.

Sheehy popped over his second free after Aaron Hayes of Cork was fouled as he drove inside, and the same Hayes kicked their first from play minutes later after a quick break from the visitors.

Hayes continued to be a menace as he won another free for Sheehy to kick and tempers began to flare slightly, though the referee was harsh in brandishing yellow cards to Evan Hunt and Conor Murphy for a half-hearted shoving contest.

Sam Victory was excellent for Barcelona Gaels in their victory over Conahy Shamrocks and he showed his ability once again with a fine score to which Hayes soon added his second and four points now separated the sides.

The 20 minute scoring drought for Kilcavan was ended via a Ryle free late in the half, but Barcelona Gaels would have the final say as Alex O'Brien sweetly slotted a 45 over the bar with his left to make it 0-7 to 0-3 at half time.

Kilcavan were forced to start without one of their main men in Adam Hunt, and he made his presence felt when he won a free just moments after his second half introduction and Ryle slotted to get the scoring underway.

Ryle added another four minutes later as Kilcavan began to look more like the free flowing side we've come to know.

Barcelona Gaels rang in the changes in the second half and it was substitute Connor Leonard who kicked their opening score of the half with a brilliant effort from out wide on the 45.

Kilcavan remained on top however as Ryle kicked another brace of frees to bring the gap to just a point with 13 minutes left to play.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and Barcelona Gaels had been dealing with it well until Ryle and Rory Lalor combined excellently on the right wing from a line ball and the former drove a perfect pass into Oisin Lalor who fisted home powerfully.

The goal scorer was desperately unlucky not to add another a moment later as Jack Carey pulled off a quality save from close range.

Just five minutes remained and it was now the visitors who had to go chasing scorers, which they did from a Sheehy free but Ryle replied almost immediately to negate the scorer.

Barcelona Gaels pushed on for scores and Sheehy added another free before kicking a wondrous point off his left boot from outside the 45 amidst a sea of maroon jerseys in the 62nd minute to level the game.

Injury time continued and Kilcavan were awarded a free on the right wing from 40 metres, which Ryle elected to play short and after a series of carries Kilcavan were awarded a free in front of the posts which Ryle slotted to secure a famous win.

Kilcavan will now face Dunsany of Meath in the semi-final next weekend after they defeated Aughrim 2-10 to 1-7.

SCORERS:

Kilcavan: Cian Ryle 0-7 (0-6fs), Oisin Lalor 1-0, Robert Hunt and Rory Lalor 0-1 each.

Barcelona Gaels: Tomas Sheehy 0-6 (0-5fs), Aaron Hayes 0-2, Alex O’Brien (45), Sam Victory and Connor Leonard 0-1 each.

KILCAVAN: Darragh McEvoy; Barry Mangan, Mick Bermingham, Michael Gilsenan; Robert Hunt, Evan Hunt, Niall Lalor; Gearoid Treacy, Aaron Tarpey; Ronan Gorry, Cian Ryle, Tristan Hunt; Oisin Lalor, Tom O’Connor, Rory Lalor.

Subs: Ben O’Keeffe for Gilsenan (25m), Adam Hunt for Gorry (32m), Barry Conroy for T Hunt (50m), Paul Bolton for R Hunt (61m), Declan White for O’Connor (64m).

BARCELONA GAELS: Jack Carey; Ciaran Cusack, Fionn Keady, Idan McLoughlin; Alex O’Brien, Trevor Horgan, Shane Moran; Conor Murphy, Gavin Sherlock; Darragh Curran, Aaron Hayes, Eoin O’Connor; John O’Keeffe, Tomas Sheehy, Sam Victory.

Subs: Cormac Lynch for O’Keeffe (33m), Connor Leonard for Sherlock (37m), Adam O’Brien for O’Connor (41m), Colm Casey for Victory (48m), Anthony Watters for Curran (56m).

Referee: Ultan McElroy (Louth)