Cooley Kickhams edge dramatic one-point thriller against Newtown Blues

Anchor Tours SFC Group 3 Round 2
From Haggardstown

Newtown Blues 1-14 Cooley Kickhams 1-15

Cooley Kickhams emerged with a dramatic one-point victory over Newtown Blues in Haggardstown on Saturday evening, holding their nerve during a thrilling closing spell to claim a valuable 1-15 to 1-14 win.

The Blues made the brighter start, with Emmett Carolan opening the scoring before Ciarán Downey landed an excellent two-pointer. Scores from Andy McDonnell and Conor Mac Criosta helped Newtown establish an early advantage, while Paul Brennan and Michael Rafferty kept Cooley in touch.

Emmett Carolan (Newtown Blues) and Jack Long (Cooley Kickhams) contest for possession in midfield

However, the Kickhams gradually grew into the contest. Points from Cian Connor, Jack Long, Rafferty, Gerry Malone and Emmett Duffy brought them level, with the sides locked at 0-8 apiece at half-time.

The second half exploded into life almost immediately. Niall Morgan edged Cooley ahead before Mac Criosta responded with a two-pointer for the Blues. Morgan then produced a superb individual run before finding the net to give the visitors a significant boost.

The Blues’ refused to go away. Jamie Kelly narrowed the gap before Eoin McCoy brilliantly seized upon a quickly taken close-range free, catching Cooley off guard and firing into the top corner.

Fearghal Malone (Cooley Kickhams) tackles Ciaran Downey (Newtown Blues)

Downey added another point before Connor landed a two-point free for Cooley. Downey then responded in style with a superb outside-of-the-boot two-pointer, but Fearghal Malone produced an inspirational two-pointer to bring the sides level late on.

Gerry Malone in action for Cooley Kickhams this evening

The drama continued when Newtown’s Emmett Carolan was shown a red card following an off-the-ball incident. With the Blues reduced to 14 men, Michael Rafferty held his composure to convert the decisive free.

Full-Time: Newtown Blues 1-14 Cooley Kickhams 1-15

Man of the Match: Niall Morgan (Cooley Kickhams) – Niall Morgan produced a hugely influential performance for Cooley Kickhams, leading from the front with his work rate and composure around the middle-third. His exceptional second-half run and goal proved a pivotal moment in the contest, while he continued to drive Cooley forward during a thrilling encounter. A deserved Man of the Match display.

Newtown Blues team: Ronan Browne; Iollan Farrell, Alan Connor, Ciaran Cluskey-Kelly; Liam Branigan, Daire Nally, Eoin Branigan; Emmett Carolan (0-1), Ryan Kelly (0-1); Conor MacCriosta (0-3, 1tp), Ciaran Downey (0-5, 1tp, 1tpf), Conor Branigan (0-1); Jamie Kelly (0-1), Andy McDonnell (0-2), Eoin McCoy (1-0, 1-0pen)

Subs: Joe Nally for Ciaran Cluskey-Kelly (half-time), Ewan Hoban for Eoin Branigan (39 Mins)

Cooley Kickhams team: Niall Brady; Ian Arnold, Darren Marks, Ronan McBride; Tiarnan Hanniffy, Niall Morgan (1-1), Gerry Malone (0-1); Jack Long (0-1), Fearghal Malone (0-2, 1tp); Emmett Duffy (0-1), Paul Brennan (0-1), Enda O’Neill; Cian Connor (0-4, 1tpf, 2f), Michael Rafferty (0-4, 3f), Joseph Hanlon

Subs: Brian Boyle for Emmett Duffy (42 Mins), Gerard Hanlon for Enda O’Neill (54 Mins), Oran McAnerney for Fearghal Malone (58 Mins), Sean Hoey for Gerry Malone (58 Mins)

Referee: Stephen Johnson (Glen Emmets)

Daire Nally (Newtown Blues) and Gerry Malone (Cooley Kickhams) compete for possession

Photos: Ciaran Culligan