MORE than most of their rivals in Down, Mayobridge must be just about sick of the sight of Kilcoo by now.
Even in the absence of Ryan Johnston, ruled out with an ankle injury, the Magpies still had too much for Ronan Sexton’s men at Pairc Esler last night – the fifth year in succession they have toppled the ‘Bridge in championship football.
Needless to say, in each of those four previous years, 2020 to 2023, it was Kilcoo’s name inscribed on the Frank O’Hare Cup when all was said and done.
There is a long way to go before we find out if that winning streak continues too but, after easing into the last four with 11 different scorers on the board, it would be a brave soul who backs against them winning a 12th title from the last 13.
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As with the past two years, when Mayobridge managed the sum total of nine points, breaking through the wall of black proved problematic. Ryan McEvoy roamed around everywhere, moving into midfield for the ‘Bridge kick-outs and dominating the skies, providing a solid platform to establish total control.
One moment towards the end of the half summed up the flow of the game in its entirety; Conall Gallagher dawdling too long on the ball as the ‘Bridge tried to turn the screw then, when he didn’t back himself to score, Kilcoo scented blood, stripping the ball and rampaging up the field.
Chrissy Rooney led the charge, had they really wanted to they probably could have gone for the game’s first goal but, already leading 0-6 to 0-2, and in command, he played through Shealan Johnston to split the posts.
It was the pace of those breaks, and the manner in which Kilcoo steadily accumulated scores that Mayobridge weren’t able to match.
Paul Devlin got them off the mark, curling over off his right boot. Next it was classy Ceilum Doherty’s turn, bursting into space down the right and clipping over, easy as you like.
The ‘Bridge needed to stop that momentum, and fast. They had a golden chance to do just that when Adam Crimmins found space in the square, sending a low shot past Niall Kane’s right boot – only for the retreating McEvoy to stick out a leg and clear off the line.
It has been said so many times through the years, and will be uttered plenty more, but you cannot afford to let the Magpies off the hook when those opportunities are presented. Because from then on, Kilcoo slowly but surely broke their opponents’ spirit.
Eugene Branagan poked between the uprights from close range before curling over a belter shortly after.
The Mayobridge score sandwiched between Branagan’s brace summed up the scale of the challenge they faced as, with so few options ahead, Conall Poland took matters into his own hands, booming over from the 40 metre line.
It must have been hugely dispiriting then when Branagan matched that effort two minutes, with McEvoy curling over a free to inflict further damage – and it could have got so much worse.
Mayobridge found themselves hemmed in once more, Kilcoo winning the kick-out and Miceal Rooney popping off to the advancing Anthony Morgan. With the goal at his mercy, however, Morgan could only fire over the top to move the Magpies four clear, rather than six, as half-time neared.
Bustling Mayobridge forward Conleith O’Hare bagged the final score of the half, but a major turning of the tide would be required.
They came out and had a go, Crimmins curling over the score of the second from the sideline, goalkeeper Sheelan Strain moving out the field to offer an extra body - but Kilcoo just kept coming, and were patience personified as the scores were spread around, Callum Rogers, Darryl Branagan and Jerome Johnston extending a lead they never looked remotely like losing.
Down boss Conor Laverty was sprung from the bench late on, but it was super-sub Sean Og McCusker who inflicted the final blows, scoring 1-2, rifling to the net as the seconds ticked down to seal a semi-final clash with Glenn in a fortnight’s time.
Kilcoo: N Kane; N Branagan, R McEvoy (0-1, free), M Hynes; C Rogers (0-1), M Rooney (0-2), D Branagan (0-1), E Branagan (0-2); Aaron Morgan, Anthony Morgan (0-2); C Rooney, S Johnston (0-1), C Doherty (0-1); J Johnston (0-1), P Devlin (0-1). Subs: N Rogers for Devlin (38), S Og McCusker (1-2) for C Rooney (55), J Devlin for M Hynes (55), Laverty for J Johnston (59), N Doyle for Doherty (60+2)
Yellow card: D Branagan (55)
Mayobridge: S Strain; S Keenan, C Fitzpatrick, S McNamee; C Linden, K Lynchehaun, J McKay (0-1); D Catterson, S Annett; B Grant, A Crimmins (0-3, 0-1 45, 0-1 free), C Poland (0-1); C Gallagher (0-1), C O’Hare (0-2), K McClorey. Subs: C Gallagher for Grant (22), P Smith for Linden (39), E Woods for McClorey (39), K O’Rourke for Catterson (51), A Magee for Keenan (59)
Black card: C Gallagher (59)
Red card: C O’Hare (59)
Referee: C Gribben
DOWN SFC SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Kilcoo v Glenn
Burren v Carryduff
