Kerrykeel ‘71…………………5
Convoy Arsenal……………3
BY STUART CONNOLLY
IN keeping up with their form from last season, Kerrykeel ‘71 and Convoy Arsenal put on a show at Rabs Park as the hosts needed a very late goal to seal the deal, despite a four-goal advantage prior to the hour.
Kerrykeel’ 71 scored three goals in a matter of minutes after the half hour with a Patrick Friel strike sandwiched between two from James Kerr.
James Coyle added a fourth early during the second phase before Eamonn Coyle pulled one back for Convoy Arsenal.
Johnny Doherty and Jamie Spratt put a once unlikely comeback within grasp, but a goal from distance from Oisin Shiels settled the nerves of those in Green and Black.
It was the hosts who were able to get into the better attacking positions in the early stages, but neither netminder was properly called into action.
Brandon McClafferty sliced one effort wide with only a few minutes on the stopwatch, while Mark Friel also couldn’t find the target with ten gone.
Oisin Shiels was next up to fire an attempt wide of the mark, and with half an hour gone, Kerrykeel found their breakthrough.
Patrick Friel released James Coyle down the right side, and the low ball into the box was deftly finished by the boot of James Kerr at the back post.
Convoy Arsenal almost replied instantly. After a few unsuccessful corners, a James Wilson header was goalbound, with Patrick Heraghty on the line to save his side.
Just a few minutes later, that moment proved to be crucial, as Kerrykeel bagged a second.
Coyle once again with the assist, as his ball through the defence was latched onto by Patrick Friel before a calm finish from close range.
Another short time later, Kerrykeel found the net for their third goal in less than ten minutes. With time and space outside the area, Kerr lined up his shot and found the bottom right corner.
Convoy Arsenal had the last opportunity of the first half, and were a whisker away from a potential route back into the game. Calvin Bradley only had one thing on his mind from a free kick, but his attempt whacked the base of the post.
Less than ten minutes into the second half, Kerrykeel found the net for their fourth of the day.
After a ricochet on the edge of the box, the ball fell for Coyle, and he was able to find the bottom right corner.
A few minutes beyond the hour, Convoy Arsenal pulled one back. A corner in from the left was met by a host of bodies at the near post, and Eamonn Coyle was able to flick it home.
With a little under a quarter of an hour to go, the visitors netted a second. Oran Patterson floated in a free kick from his own half, and it was well met in the air by Johnny Doherty.
That first goal for Convoy was a spring in their step, and with a little over five minutes to go, they had the deficit down to one goal. Eamonn Coyle split the defence with his pass through and fellow substitute Jamie Spratt calmly found the bottom corner.
With only minutes left on the clock, Convoy Arsenal’s comeback was brought to a halt, as Kerrykeel re-established their two-goal cushion, and saw out the rest of the game.
Davitt Walsh’s ball into the area was destined for Kevin Loughrey, but was cleared as far as Sheils, who arrowed an effort into the top right corner and put the game to bed.
Teams
Kerrykeel ‘71: Brian Gallagher; Michael McDevitt, Darragh O’Doherty, Patrick Heraghty, Shaun Carr; Mark Friel, James Kerr, Brandon McClafferty, James Coyle; Oisin Shiels, Patrick Friel. Subs: Bernard McGettigan and Kevin Loughrey for Kerr and McClafferty (57 mins), Davitt Walsh and Jonathan Friel for P.Friel and Coyle (64 mins).
Convoy Arsenal: Luke Kelly; Darren Harvey, Oran Patterson, John Anthony Kee, James Wilson; Lee Smyth, Aiden Boal, John Moore, Calvin Bradley; Evan MacBride, Jamie Grieve. Subs: Ryan McGroarty, Eamonn Coyle and Jamie Spratt for Smyth, Grieve and MacBride (51 mins), Johnny Doherty for Harvey (73 mins).
Referee: Damien McFadden.
Player of the Match – James Coyle(Kerrykeel 71 FC) – Despite being subbed off around the hour, his contribution while on the pitch was pivotal. He assisted the first two goals of the game, and scored in the second half in what looked like a routine victory. Eamonn Coyle put in a strong display off the bench for Convoy Arsenal, scoring one and assisting another.
Turning Point – Evenly matched in the opening stages, Kerrykeel 71 FC grabbed a firm hold of things with three goals in quick succession.
A fourth put them out of sight in the second half, however, Convoy Arsenal had other ideas with three goals without a response, that was until a fifth eased the nerves of the home side.
The Whistler – Damien McFadden’s involvement in this encounter was very limited throughout. There were a couple of late tackles in the second-half, and each one was rightly booked.
Talking Point – Kerrykeel 71 FC have enjoyed a promising start to life back in Division One. Five wins from their first seven games has put them near the top of the tree in the early stages of the season, and they’ve put away an impressive amount of goals, although they’ll be less than pleased with how the second half unfolded.
Convoy Arsenal were so close to the unlikeliest of comebacks, and that fight should serve them well as the season progresses.
What’s Next – Kerrykeel 71 FC travel to face Milford United next weekend, while Convoy Arsenal host Swilly Rovers.
