Kilcoo GAC prove too sharp for Downpatrick RGU in first season encounter
Down GAA,
All County Football League, Division 1, Round 3,
Venue: Páirc Tomás Ruséll, 24 4 26,
Final Score: Downpatrick RGU 0-3 3-20 Kilcoo GAC.
Kilcoo are multiple Division One champions and are always a formidible side to face. They have been beaten once this year so far and are not invincible, but they are a severe test for any club in the first division.
As the game opened up, it was Kilcoo that burst through the RGU ranks and claimed a quick 2-pointer.
The intensity of play from Kilcoo was a learning curve for the RGU players who were without their captain Jarleth Branagan who was red-carded the previous game. Kilcoo were fast and relentless passing well, breaking at every opportunity and showed accurate kicking at the RGU goal from a distance.
It was Garrett Trainor who opened the scoring for the RGU with 2 separate points but Kilcoo had already collected 6 points to their tally.
Then Kilcoo’s Jack Devlin passed to Eugene Branagan who took his goal well increasing the score in the 8th minute.
The RGU had a slightly better run and collected points from Conor McGrady and Tom McNeill. Then RGU broke forward again and Tom Savage was just wide of the Kilcoo posts for a goal. Then from a free McNell claimed another point.
Damien Turley got close to the Kilcoo net and passed to McGrady who stretched for the shot and went inches wide for a goal. Meanwhile, Kilcoo ground away at the RGU and Paul Devlin scored another point keeping the pressure on the homeside.
Check out match action photos here.
But as the game progressed, the outcome looked assured for Kilcoo and they were on blistering form.
Kilcoo started off sharply after half-time but the RGU did rally well and made a number of useful attacks into the Kilcoo half, but the visitors’ defence was extremely tight to get through with sometimes up to four defenders challenging an RGU forward on a break.
Again in an attack, Orán Cunningham and Tom McNeill both had a kick at the Kilcoo goal but keeper Cailum Madine had other ideas and fended off the kicks well.
Then on 34 minutes Kilcoo took another goal widening the goal difference again. The RGU kept their chins up and were focussed and found another opportunity when McNeill had a kick at the Kilcoo goal but again Madine came out well and blocked the shot.
As the game progressed, despite the pasting that the RGU were taking, they came out fighting and created some opportunities which could have re-dressed some of the balance in the scoreline.
But Kilcoo several times turned the tide and broke forward with defender Dalach McGreevy getting in on the scoring too.
Damien Turley managed to claim a 2-pointer but Kilcoo bounced right back to take a couple of single points. Then Ruairi Madine had a good spell and clocked up another 2 points for Kilcoo and his side added more pain for the RGU by taking a third goal.
Tom Savage and Conor McGrady pointed again but it wasn’t enough to stem the flow of Kilcoo points. Gerdie Collins and Damien Turley played well along with sub Nathan McShane as the game was coming to a close and Kilcoo seemed pleased to sit on their laurels.
This was a tough encounter for the RGU squad but given the number of misses that they had, the scoreline could have been a lot closer and the dynamics of the game could have changed. The RGU may have suffered a 16 point loss but it was their third match this season and against Kilcoo, who were always going to be difficult to beat, but not impossible.
The RGU did make a number of great attacks in the latter stages of the match which showed that they could more seriously challenge Kilcoo once they get their ducks in order as the season progresses.
The RGU will have learned much from this encounter, and subsequent matches will seem easier. Kilcoo are masters at finishing and missed few kicking opportunities.
