ACFL
Division Three
Kilclief 0-5 Teconnaught 3-2
As dark clouds rushed over the horizon at Strangford Lough, heading for Ben Dearg, both Kilclief and Teconnaught started fairly evenly balanced and both were managing to attack each others goal area. Kilclief were certainly disciplined and holding possession well in the face of a tough opposition, but it was Teconnaught playing into the wind who seemed to be getting more kicks at the posts albeit wide at this stage.
Kilclief struck the first point with Conor Sloan left footing over the Teconnaught bar to open the scoring. But Teconnaught kept cool and in the low scoring first half they managed to come out on top clear of Kilclief.
Teconnaught’s John Johnston picked up a yellow card in the first half for an overly robust tackle only to be shown a red later for another dangerous tackle. Teconnaught were down to ten players after 25 minutes.
But despite this hiccup, Teconnaught kept their nerve and showed continued positive build-ups finishing at half-time with another point and an excellent attacking action with Jack Larkin and Tony Ryan. The wind was a major factor in play and Teconnaught were to play into its face in the second half.
As the second quarter progressed, Teconnaught made an early charge with James Casement, Josh O’Hare, James Casement and Rory McDonnell with Casement slotting the ball past keeper Mark Polly for a goal just after three minutes.
Kilclief bounced back and took a point after winning a free. Teconnaught’s Ciaran Carville and Paddy Grant managed to cut through the Kilclief defence but the home side survived the attack. The game got more physical as the cold rain started to beat down on the players and Teconnaught’s Ciaran Carville received a yellow card.
Kilclief’s Conor Sloan took a point from a free to keep the home side in the match but Teconnaught were showing their teeth. In a Kilclief attack, Karl Shields was fouled by Ciaran Carville and the ensuing free ball into the Teconnaught goal mouth by Brian Fitzsimmons led to an almighty scramble with Kilclief just not managing to get it over the line for a goal.
This was followed by another Teconnaught attack and a shot by Carville that went wide in the gusting wind. But Teconnaught pulled another goal out of the bag half way through the second half and the pressure was now on Kilclief.
Following a stiff Teconnaught attack, Kilclief gave away a penalty and Paddy Grant slotted in into the net putting his side three goals ahead. Kilclief did fight back immediately but Teconnaught soon reversed the flow and Kilclief were under the cosh. Kilclief managed to get some shots at the Teconnaught posts with Sloan and Hynds but were just wide.
In the dying embers of the match, Kilclief made one final rally with a great cross from defender James Doran. It was picked up by Owen Curran who made a tremendous volley only to hit the goal post. But he did get a consolation point just a short time later.
This was a tough game for Kilclief who showed good passing and possession skills and plenty of mettle, but it was Teconnaught who finally won the day.
Kilclief:Mark Polly, James Doran, Sean Cultra, Luke Reilly, Aidan Conor, Dale Curran, Aidan McCann, Karl Shields, James McGrath, Brian Fitzsimmons, Eoin King, Conor Hynds, Conor Sloan, Conor Merron, Owen Curran. (Subs – Conor Shields, Eoin Breen, Louis McMullan, Conaill Magee, Philip Hynds).
Teconnaught: Justin Kelly, James Green, David McClements, Kevin Johnston, John Johnston, Jack Larkin, Josh O’Hare, Tony Drake, James Casement, Ciaran Carville, Tony Ryan, Rory McDonnell, Andy McCartan, Paddy Grant, David Kelly.
