“Mattock March On: Collon Men Seal Quarter-Final Spot in Style”

CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship – Group 3, Round 3

Mattock Rangers 1-19 Kilkerley Emmets 0-12

Venue: Páirc Séamus Mhic hEochaidh, Haggardstown

Mattock Rangers underlined their championship credentials on Sunday evening with a commanding 10-point victory over Kilkerley Emmets, a result that sees the Collon men finish top of Group 3 and march confidently into the quarter-final draw. With efficiency in attack, tireless work in midfield, and a forward line full of variety and movement, the 2020 Intermediate champions showed why many feel they could go all the way again this year.

Kilkerley, in contrast, bowed out of the group stages with a sense of frustration. Tipped as potential contenders before the ball was thrown in, they failed to find the consistency or cutting edge required across their two games and will look back on this campaign as one of missed opportunities.

Cagey First Half

It took six minutes for the game’s opening score, with Cathal Fleming clipping over a neat point for Mattock. Michael Begley soon levelled from a free, before a Tadhg McEneaney placed ball edged Kilkerley ahead after 12 minutes.

Mattock’s response was swift. Sean Flynn levelled from a free before Kilkerley’s Fintan Brady pointed from play. Then came a crucial momentum swing: Fleming produced a moment of brilliance on 18 minutes with a fabulous long-range effort worth two points under the new championship rules. Suddenly Mattock had their tails up.

Further scores from Oisín McKenna, Jack Thompson, Liam Flynn, and Fleming himself stretched the lead, with only a McEneaney free keeping Kilkerley in touch. At the interval, Mattock was four to the good, 0-8 to 0-4, and looking comfortable.

Ruthless Second Half

The second half exploded into life almost immediately. Just 15 seconds after the restart, Ben Watters fired over, before Fleming added another from play. Kilkerley briefly rallied through a purple patch from Begley, who struck three points in as many minutes, while McEneaney also found his range to close the gap to two.

But any hopes of a comeback were dashed by Mattock’s composure and variety in attack. Flynn (free), Fleming, and Alan Carraher (storming forward from corner-back to fist over) pushed the gap out again, before the killer blow arrived on 47 minutes. A long delivery from Fleming was cleverly palmed down by Ben McKenna into the path of substitute Tom Grimes, who buried a composed finish to the net.

From there, Mattock were relentless. Liam Flynn hit a purple patch with three fine points, while McKenna, Fleming, and substitute Callum Wogan all kept the scoreboard ticking. Despite efforts from Tadhg McEneaney and Ultan McEneaney for Kilkerley, the result was never in doubt.

Key Men

Cathal Fleming was at the heart of everything for Mattock Rangers, finishing with a personal haul that included a spectacular two-pointer and several scores from play. Liam Flynn’s second-half burst, Tom Grimes’ decisive goal, and Ben McKenna’s link play also stood out.

For Kilkerley, Michael Begley battled valiantly with five points, while Tadhg McEneaney showed his quality on frees and from open play, but their attack too often lacked penetration against a disciplined Mattock defence marshalled by Alan Carraher and Shane McGuire.

What Next?

Mattock Rangers now enter the quarter-finals as Group 3 winners and, on current form, few will relish meeting them. Efficient, balanced, and ruthless in attack, they have the look of a side with serious intent.

Kilkerley, meanwhile, are left to regroup after a disappointing campaign. With the talent at their disposal, they will know this year represented a missed opportunity.

Man of the Match: Cathal Fleming (Mattock Rangers) – Fleming was simply outstanding from start to finish. He opened the scoring, hit a fabulous two-pointer that changed the momentum of the first half, and continued to torment the Kilkerley defence with his movement and accuracy. Always available, always dangerous, and with the vision to set up others, Fleming was the spark that ignited Mattock’s forward play and the player who most typified their confidence and composure on the night

Mattock Rangers: Cathal Fleming (0-8, 1 × 2-pointer), Liam Flynn (0-4), Sean Flynn (0-2f), Tom Grimes (1-0), Ben Watters (0-1), Oisín McKenna (0-1), Jack Thompson (0-1), Alan Carraher (0-1), Ben McKenna (0-1).

Kilkerley Emmets: Michael Begley (0-4, 2f), Tadhg McEneaney (0-6, 1 × 2-pointer, 2f), Fintan Brady (0-1), Ultan McEneaney (0-1).

Teams

Mattock Rangers: Stephen Smith; Alan Carraher, Cillian Hickey, Ben Quaile; Ben Watters, Shane McGuire, Daire Englishby; Ben McKenna, Jason Condon; Terry Donegan, Jack Thompson, Cathal Fleming; Sean Flynn, Liam Flynn.

Subs: Tom Grimes for Thompson (43), James Carraher for A. Carraher (45), Eoin McCluskey for Englishby (53), Callum Wogan for S. Flynn (59).

Kilkerley Emmets: Callum Mulholland; Fintan Brady, Cillian Mulligan, Cormac Bellew; Kieran Murtagh, Ronan Deery, Patrick Murtagh; Cathal Bellew, Ewan McEntaggart; Tadhg McEneaney, Michael Kirby, Cormac Mallon; Michael Begley, Brian Brady, Darragh Conlon.

Subs: Ciarán Bellew for Kirby (40), Fionn Cummiskey for Mulligan (40), Ultan McEneaney for B. Brady (53), Darren Geoghegan for Conlon (53).

Referee: Stephen Murphy (Naomh Máirtín).