Kilshannig 2-13
Clyda Rovers 2-11
Kilshannig produced a dramatic late comeback to defeat neighbours Clyda Rovers 2-13 to 2-11 in Wednesday night’s McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC Group 3 opener at Charleville.
The victory ended a 41-year wait for Kilshannig to record a championship win over their Avondhu rivals, but it was far from straightforward as Clyda Rovers pushed them all the way in a tense and competitive derby encounter.
Clyda looked set to claim the spoils when they moved three points ahead late in the game, but Kilshannig responded with a decisive 1-2 burst in the closing stages to turn the contest around and claim a valuable opening victory.
The game reflected everything that makes Avondhu championship football so compelling, with both sides contributing to a high-intensity contest full of momentum swings, quality scores and late drama.
Both defences were on top during the early stages, with chances limited as the two sides settled into the contest. Clyda Rovers opened the scoring through Aidan Kelly after good work from Conor Corbett, before Kilshannig responded with scores from Jack Twomey and Tom Cunningham.
However, Clyda began to find space as the half progressed and built a platform through a strong spell before the interval.
Scores from Cian O’Sullivan, David Cooney and Cian Walsh helped them establish control, before a flowing attacking move ended with Conor Corbett finding the net to give Clyda a significant advantage.
Kilshannig needed a response and found it before the break. Darragh O’Sullivan reduced the gap with a two-point free before finishing a strong attacking move to the net, bringing the sides back within touching distance.
Corbett added another score from a free before half-time, leaving Clyda Rovers ahead by the minimum at the interval in a contest that had already delivered plenty of championship intensity.
Clyda started the second half strongly, with goalkeeper Kevin Coffey converting a 45 before Corbett added another score from a free. They continued to threaten and looked capable of maintaining control of the game.
Kilshannig, however, remained within striking distance. Michael Murphy, Darragh O’Sullivan and their attacking players continued to chip away at the deficit as the game entered the final quarter.
With seven minutes remaining, Clyda Rovers appeared to have taken a decisive step towards victory. A well-worked move involving Kevin Graham ended with Cian Cooney finding the net, putting Clyda three points ahead at 2-11 to 1-11.
Kilshannig’s response was immediate and decisive.
Alan O’Connell found the net to bring the sides level before substitute Diarmuid O’Sullivan added a crucial score to put Kilshannig in front. The Glantane side managed the closing stages well, with Killian O’Hanlon landing the final score to secure a memorable championship victory.
Darragh O’Sullivan was Kilshannig’s leading scorer with 1-5, while Alan O’Connell, Diarmuid O’Sullivan and a number of teammates also contributed on the scoreboard. The spread of scores highlighted Kilshannig’s ability to find scoring options throughout the team.
For Clyda Rovers, there was plenty of encouragement despite the defeat. They led for long periods, scored two goals and produced a number of excellent attacking passages, with Conor Corbett finishing with 1-3 and playing a key role in their performance.
The result gives Kilshannig an important opening victory in a difficult group which also includes Bishopstown and Éire Óg.
Clyda Rovers, meanwhile, will take plenty from a performance that showed they will be highly competitive throughout the championship.
