- match report-

Kilmurry: 1-10-

Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh: 0-13

....Defending champions Kilmurry kicked five points without reply in the final six minutes to salvage a draw against a plucky Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh outfit in the Muskerry JAFC Round 1 encounter played at Kilmichael last night.

The Gaeltacht side who played an eye catching brand of football looked destined for victory approaching the 53th minute leading 0-13 to 1-5, but Kilmurry showed all the hallmarks of a successful team in the closing stages.

Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh started with a brace of points from Barra Ó Coinceannain and a Seán Ó Coill placed ball, who was a major contributor throughout the hour. Kilmurry replied, when David O’ Halloran split the posts, and the reigning champs drilled in a goal 50 seconds after that point, as captain William Buckley lost his marker to finish brilliantly to the net from close range.

Kilmurry did push three points ahead after 10 minutes, as Padraig Behanu posted a point, but the remainder of the half belonged to Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh, scoring seven of the last eight points of the half to lead 0-9 to 1-3 at the short whistle.

Kilmurry started the new half with two quick-fire points, but Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh excellent at their delivery into the forwards kicked the next four points to lead 0-13 to 1-5. In between those four points, Wiliam Buckley was desperately unlucky not to claw Kilmurry back into the game, as his pile driver from near the 20 metre line rattled off the cross bar.

Damien Long’s Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh looked like they were on the home straight entering the final few minutes, but the pendulum swung in Kilmurry’s direction, five majestic points from the 2016 champs sent the game to a replay.

Scorers for Kilmurry: W Buckley 1-3, J Buckley 0-2, P Behanu 0-2, D O’ Halloran 0-1, J Ryan 0-1 (0-1f), J O’ Mullane 0-1.

Scorers for Béal Áthan Ghorthaidh: S Ó Coill 0-7 (0-7f), Darren Ó Duinnin 0-1, B Ó Coinceannain 0-1, S Ó Tuama 0-1, D Ó Ceallachain 0-1, I Ó Coinceannain 0-1, M Ó Tuama 0-1.

Kilmurry: J McDonnell, D Cahalane, K Barrett, E Barrett, L Long, D O’ Leary, W Barrett, J White, G Barrett, D O’ Halloran, J Kelleher, J Buckley, P Behanu, D McCarthy, W Buckley.

Subs: J Ryan for G Barrett (HT), J O’ Mullane for W Barrett (44).

Béal Áthan Ghorthaidh: G Ó Muirthile, Shane Ó Duinnin, D Ó Coill, C Ó Loingsigh, D Seartan, M Ó Tuama, Seán Ó Duinnin, N Ó Duinnin, D MacCarthaigh, D Ó Duinnin, I Ó Coinceannain, D Ó Ceallachain, S Ó Coill, B Ó Coinceannain, S Ó Tuama.

Subs: G Ó Creimin for S Ó Duinnin (41).

Referee: Jerry Masters (Kilmichael)