SFC Group 1

 

Athlone 5-11 Killucan 0-8

 

Our senior team set up a Championship quarter-final against near neighbours Garrycastle when a much-improved performance saw them account for Killucan in surprisingly comfortable fashion in their final group game in Moate on Saturday evening.  With both sides going into the game with one win each from the previous four rounds, this was a winner takes all match with a quarter-final place at stake, but the expected challenge Killucan never materialised as Athlone controlled the game from start to finish to run out winners by 18 points.

 

Despite playing against the strong wind, Athlone got off to a dream start when Mickey Greene, a very late replacement for club captain John Connellan, got on the end of a Ray Connellan pass for an early goal, and things got even better shortly after when Greene added a second goal after he had worked hard to create the chance for himself.  Killucan brought themselves back into the game with three consecutive points, but the impressive Greene restored Athlone’s momentum with their opening point.  A superb move then led to the third goal from Jack Quinn, and a pointed Ray Connellan free, after Daniel Reid had been pulled down when another goal looked on, left eight points between the sides with 20 minutes played.  A Killucan free was answered by another point from Greene when his first-time volley, after a Ryan Gaffey effort had come back off the post, went just over.  Noel Mulligan got Athlone’s final score of the half with a well-struck 45 into the breeze, while two late Killucan points left seven between the sides at the break, 3-4 to 0-6 in Athlone’s favour.

 

Another Mickey Greene point was the only score of the opening 10 minutes of the second period, but Athlone made the game safe soon after when a botched Killucan free led to Danny Reid finishing to the net from close range.  The same player added a point, before Ryan Gaffey slotted home the fifth goal as the Killucan challenge wilted and well-taken late points from Jordan Marshment (after a superb run from corner-back James Finlass) and substitutes Richie Greene and Dermot Bannon (0-2) brought the scoring to a close.

 

This win meant that Athlone took the final quarter-final spot from Group 1 and so must now play Group 2 winners Garrycastle in that game in Tubberclair next Sunday afternoon (throw-in 2.30pm).    All support will be greatly appreciated so please come out and support the lads in what promises to be a thrilling derby with the prize of a semi-final spot at stake.

 

Athlone:  Conal Sheeran, James Finlass, Matthew Darling, Fergal Murray, Shane Allen, Noel Mulligan (0-2), Jordan Marshment (0-1), Ray Connellan (0-1), Alan Gaughan, Kieran Colclough, John Stapleton, Daniel Reid (1-1), Ryan Gaffey (1-0), Jack Quinn (1-0), Mickey Greene (2-3) Subs Used:  Darren Magee, Richie Greene (0-1), Dermot Bannon (0-2), Paul Bannon, Andy Lynam.

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