KILCOO II 2-12 – 0-7 BRYANSFORD II Match report by Peter McGrath Jnr On Sunday people were surprised when Dublin beat Donegal scoring just eight points – even more surprising was that the Dubs winning score was equaled in a soccer match, but low as that score was Kilcoo held Bryansford to just seven points in the Premier Reserve Championship semi-final. While the general report for the Bryansford performance could simply read “Very Poor” there were some exceptions with Aidan Keenan excellent around the middle and his partner Adrian Carville also did well. Up front Seamus Brannigan was fighting a lone battle and Brian McVeigh would contribute six points from dead balls from wing half back. Aside from that very little went for the Ford and it was obvious from early on that this was going to be one-way traffic and within two minutes, 1-1 from Darragh O Hanlon had his side four points ahead. Bryansford did respond with a Brian McVeigh free. Martin Devlin and O Hanlon added further points prior to McVeigh’s second free. O’Hanlon was proving a constant thorn in Bryansford’s side and he further increased his personal tally after Nathan Smyth had also pointed. Brian McVeigh again scored – this time a 35 yard kick into a stiff breeze but the flying magpies came back and the minor trio of Darragh O Hanlon, Ryan Johnston and Martin Devlin pointed in the run up to half time. Despite the margin between the sides this game was not over with Alan Grant’s half-time whistle as Bryansford would have the wind in the second half. For a short time at the start of the second half it looked as if there may be a fightback from the Green and Gold with two additional McVeigh frees giving them a little momentum, but detecting that their opponents may be gaining a foothold Kilcoo immediately fought back. Nathan Smyth embarked on a strong run and pointed with his score being supplemented by a Martin Grant free. Brian McVeigh gain tried to rally his troops with a splendid free kick but again the unwillingness of many of the Bryansford players to stand up and be counted was all to obvious with tackles not being made an possession being lost cheaply. Martin Devlin’s next point clearly illustrated the difference in the teams. Kilcoo got the ball to their forwards early and the forwards could score, Bryansford laboured, then kicked the ball high over the endline or when an occasional 50/50 ball dropped in Kilcoo had massive numbers back to clear up the scraps. Devlin the fisted another point but it really should have been a goal though for once Kilcoo overplayed the ball, spurned the chance of a goal and were fortunate to escape with a point. However, the cherry on top of the cake came near the end when a well worked build up brought them in close to goal and Ryan Johnston had the easiest of tasks palming the ball to the net. It was the very last kick of the game with which Johnathan Scannell finally got a Bryansford score from play. The final whistle blew and Kilcoo marched through impressively to the final to set up a possibly great match with Rostrevor.]]>
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