Div 1 Championship Cup Semi Final 24 September 2022
Knockbride 0.05 Killygarry 1.08
All roads lead to Knockbride on Saturday last for the U17 Div 1 semi final between the fancied hosts & the lads from Killygarry. Knockbride were having a great year. They won the u17 league earlier in the Season before backing that up by going unbeaten and topping the group in the championship. Killygarry however were having a good year of their own, losing a league semi final by the narrowest of margins to Southern Gaels before winning away to Kingscourt, Laragh, Southern Gaels & Bailieboro to secure a Championship semi final place.
Killygarry started nervously & aided by a strong breeze, Knockbride raced into a three point lead inside fifteen mins. A good score from the excellent McGuigan steadied the nerves before frees from Keaney, & Reilly drew the sides level. With Killygarry now securing a lot of breaking ball, they began to get on top & on 25 mins a good team move lead to the games key score. Noonan was found in space. His pass found Cosgrove who twisted superbly before feeding Reilly who shot low to the net. Thereafter, the sides swapped points in the closing stages of the half before a super, point blank save from Kelly sent the sides in at half time with Killygarry leading by 1.04 to .04.
The second half was played at a frantic pace. A couple of early scores extended the lead to five & with the Killygarry defence dominant, Knockbride’s efforts were continuously repelled. Gilsenan, McDonald, Carty & McNamara were rebuffing everything thrown at them. McManus, Moran & Murphy provided options to team mates all over. White was decisive in everything he did, while Sheridan put in his usual solid display. Going forward the lads worked tirelessly & when a last minute Knockbride free was intercepted by McDermott, that was enough for the timekeepers & victory was secured for the red and black.
This result sees Killygarry reach back to back Division one minor finals for the first time and when you combine this with the clubs performances & results over recent years at u15 & u13 levels its clear we have a great mix of enthusiastic players & dedicated coaches at work throughout the club. For this group, this win follows on from our 2nd team securing the Div 4 shield in dramatic fashion last weekend and the players should be commended for an excellent campaign. There’s one more stop before that though & here’s hoping we have a County final day to remember with the Seniors joining our Minors in the show piece game. Best of luck lads. The “lads on the hill” are all behind you.
The Final will take place on the 16 October @ 2PM as a curtain-raiser to the Senior Final against Gowna.
