Lacken fall to the Stars
Kingscourt 1-13 Lacken 0-10
KINGSCOURT made a great start to life back in the top-flight, earning a convincing win over Lacken at Crowe Park on Sunday afternoon. The Stars were full value for their victory, with Philip Tinnelly, Barry Reilly and Ryan McCormack all turning in good displays during this first round ACFL Division 1 clash. Kingscourt’s pace, ingenuity and movement were too much for the Lacken backs – on a day were conditions were perfect for football.
For the Celts, Trevor Crowe was a colossus at full-forward – kicking four points from play. The former Cavan man had a ding-dong battle with Alan Clarke, the latter slightly edged the contest in the second-half. Philip Smith got the game’s opening score after three minutes of play, with Colin Sheridan quickly equalising for Lacken. The Meath border outfit quickly took control of this game, with Barry Reilly clipping over a free and Smith firing over another great point.
County man Ray Galligan and Crowe hit points to level up the scores, 0-3 apiece, before Kingscourt plundered a major. After pulling off two good saves, Lacken keeper Colin Commerford was eventually beaten when McCormack slammed to the net on 15 minutes. Crowe’s two points reduced arrears for Lacken, the score now standing at 1-3 to 0-5. Kingscourt would go onto hit a purple patch to build a slender half-time lead. Three points, from McCormack, Tomas Malone and Anthony Corcoran, in quick succession made sure they held a three-point advantage at the break.
Stephen Brady grabbed one back for the hosts, with the score poised at 1-6 to 0-6. Playing against the breeze in the second-half, Kingscourt continued their fine form with another quick treble to move into a double scores lead. McCormack, Malone and Corcoran did the damage, 1-9 to 0-6 on the scoreboard. Lacken came back into the game with Galligan and Crowe pointing to reduce arrears to four, but Kingscourt soon snuffed out any chance of a late revival.
Taking advantage of Lacken’s persistent fouling, McCormack kicked three good points from frees to extend their lead to 1-12 to 0-8. Galligan pulled two more back for the Celts, with Tinnelly rounding off the scoring with a good late point.
Lacken: Colin Commerford; Shane Reilly, Johnny Sheridan, Declan Brady; Martin Brady, Kevin Shanaghy, Eddie Sheridan; Joe Crowe, Ray Galligan; James Moynagh, Philip Moynagh, Micheal Shanaghy; Stephen Brady, Trevor Crowe, Colin Sheridan.
Subs used: Eoin Donohoe, Oliver McKiernan, Niall McKiernan.
Kingscourt: Brendan McCormack; Patrick Farrelly, Alan Clarke, Shane Gray; Barry Tully, Keith McCabe, JP Reilly; Colm Smith, Tomas Malone; Philip Tinnelly, Philip Smith, Barry Reilly; Anthony Corcoran, Ryan McCormack, Darryl Martin.
Subs used: None.
Referee: Packie Smith.
* Match Report courtesy of The Cavan Post and Photos courtesy of Sheila Rooney/smrphotography.net.
