Power NI Dr McKenna Cup Group B: Derry 2-15 Monaghan 2-11
James Kielt registers 1-05 as Derry overcome Monaghan at Clones
Seven unanswered second-half points from Derry proved to be the catalyst for this first win of 2014, in what was a keenly contested game at Clones against reigning Ulster champions, Monaghan.
It may only be the first week of January but this was a game neither side wanted to lose; the home team’s intent indicated by the inclusion of eight of last year’s Ulster winning team, including UUJ student Kieran Hughes.
It was the Farney men who made the better start, converting two points in comparison to Derry’s opening brace of wides as both teams felt their way into 2014. With Charlie Kielt registering the Oak Leafers first point of the year, Declan Mullan added a second before Enda Lynn raced through for a brilliantly taken goal to give his team the lead after twenty-one minutes.
The goal sparked a period of Derry dominance as the visitors registered a goal and two points via captain for the day, James Kielt – the goal a palmed effort following fine build-up play from Ciaran McFaul and Mark Lynch. Indeed, the four point lead heading toward half time could have been greater had Mark Lynch’s effort not rebounded off the bottom of the post and been cleared.
However, it was Monaghan who got the breaks before the interval as Fergal Doherty, appearing to be clearly fouled in his own square, turned over possession for a simple goal despite some good work by Derry goalkeeper, Thomas Mallon.
The second half began brighter for Monaghan as the sun appeared and the Farney first equalised through veteran Paul Finlay, before grabbing a second goal following a long diagonal ball collected and finished by Christopher McGuinness, once again despite a brilliant initial save from Mallon.
Leading now by four points, Monaghan were rocked back as Derry gradually re-exerted their dominance on the game in a second half in which they registered not a single wide. With Sean Leo McGoldrick covering every blade of Clones grass, it was the Eoghan Rua who kick-started the challenge with a fisted effort before James Kielt and Enda Lynn restored parity.
Kielt’s fifth point – a superb long range effort – eventually put the Oak Leafers back into the lead with just over ten minutes remaining before Lynch (free), McFaul and a curling Declan Mullan effort stretched the lead to four.
Monaghan did muster a final flurry with a brace of points before Mark Lynch went on a trademark driving run to slot over. Released from the full forward berth by the introduction of Ciaran McGoldrick and Aaron Kerrigan, Emmett McGuckin fired over an assured point, restoring the four point lead.
A final Monaghan effort was cancelled out by full-back Oisin Duffy who somehow found himself in space in the opposed ’45 to confidently stride forward and register his first point for his county and the final score of the day.
Thomas Mallon (An Lúb); Declan Brown (Baile Eachaidh); Oisin Duffy 0-01 (Forghleann), Michael McShane (Baile na Scrine); Charlie Kielt 0-01 (Cill Ria), Carlus McWilliams (Baile na Scrine), Sean Leo McGoldrick 0-01 (Eoghan Rua), Fergal Doherty (Baile Eachaidh), Mark Lynch 0-02 (Beannchar), Ciaran McFaul 0-01 (Gleann), James Kielt 1-05 (Cill Ria) (C), Enda Lynn 1-01 (Grainlocha), Declan Mullan 0-02 (Eoghan Rua), Emmett McGuckin 0-01 (Machaire Fíolta), Benny Heron (Baile na Scríne)
Eoin McNicholl (Gleann an Iolair), Dermot McBride (Baile na Scrine), Gerard O’Kane (Gleann an Iolair), Patsy Bradley (Cill Ria) for Fergal Doherty, Peter Cassidy (Baile Eachaidh), Niall Holly (Eoghan Rua) for Benny Heron, James Kearney (Suaitreach), Aaron Kerrigan (Clóidigh) for Declan Mullan, Ciaran McGoldrick (Eoghan Rua) for Enda Lynn, Anthony O'Neill (An Lúb).
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