Kilcoo Minors Too Strong For Bryansford

MFCxa0 Kilcoo 5.07xa0 Bryansford 1.08 IT is said that goals win games and so it was at Eoghan Rua Parirc, when Kilcoo entertained neighbours Bryansford in this Minor Football Championship fixture. Four goals, a mixture of the soft and the bizarre, gave the visitors a mountain to climb. Allied to this was the work-rate of Kilcoo’s Darragh O’ Hanlon who appeared to be a focal point for every attack. [caption id="attachment_26724" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Bryansford's Aidan Mc Cartan in possession supported by Dermot Mazairre takes on Darragh O Hanlon of Kilcoo."][/caption] Within twenty seconds he had set up Laurence Devlin who opened the home team’s account with a point. Four minutes later, following a precision pass by Ryan Johnston, O’ Hanlon had the Ford net bulging. A minute later O’ Hanlon danced his way through the Ford defence and played through Aaron Morgan to find the net. Kilcoo’s third goal was the easiest goal O’ Hanlon may ever score and it was a farcical classic. A high ball into the forward line by Daithi O’ Hanlon, saw Ford keeper Ryan Brannigan race from his line to rise alone to claim. Brannigan somehow managed to fling the ball backwards over his shoulder passed his fullback, Aaron Mc Donald, and straight to O’ Hanlon who found himselfxa0 in front of an unguarded net. Worse was to follow for the Ford. A poor kickout found Devlin who fisted to O’ Hanlon. A foul on the Kilcoo number eleven was quickly taken by Morgan and substitute Ryan Devln raced in unchallenged to find the net. By half-time the score was to read 4.04 to 1.04 in favour of the Magpies. Bryansford’s goal was a scrambled affair and appeared to be palmed to the net by Jack Maginn. The second half saw a more balanced and dominant Bryansford side that held Kilcoo scoreless for one period of twenty-two minutes. In the corresponding time the Ford could have and should claimed numerous points. Poor shooting and compulsion to find goals rather than take a point proved suicidal. Only four points were added and as the game entered the final minutes the homeside rallied with a Ryan Johnston goal and three points. [caption id="attachment_26725" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Ryan Devlin (Kilcoo) on his way to score a goal with all in his wake. (Photos by Michael MacCartan)"][/caption] ]]>