CM Precision Components Ulster MF Tournament Preliminary Rd: Kilrea (Derry) 1-14 Crossmaglen (Armagh) 0-13
DERRY champions Kilrea set out their stall early in Saturday's clash against last year's winners Crossmaglen, with a scorching opening quarter that laid the foundations of a deserved 1-14 to 0-13 win, following a highly entertaining game.
The action produced some excellent long range scoring, combined play, fielding and defence by both teams with midfield pretty evenly balanced. Both teams also had sure-shot free takers, Paddy Quinn for Kilrea who make 1-6, and Rian O'Neill for Cross, who hit over seven points.
The winners tore into their task with relish after star man Paddy Quigg, in the sixth minute, levelled Riari O'Neill's opening point for Cross. From there, the Oak Leaf champions cut through the field with fast, surging runs and inter-weaving play.
Oran McAteer and another Quigg converted free-kick established a 3-1 lead but the holders kept in touch with scores from placed balls as O'Neill was accurate from various distances. Larry Kielt and Quigg made it 0-5 to 0-2 on 18 minute before the Rangers took a grip of the game and, over the next eight minutes rifled over four points to one for Kilrea.
As the seconds ticket away towards half-time the game was deadlocked before came the all-important score of the match – a cracking goal by Quigg for Kilrea. The ball was won at half-forward and Quigg was found inside. From outside the parallelogram, the jinking winger drove a low shot to the bottom corner of the nett, giving Jamie McEvoy little chance of keeping it out.
Leading by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break gave the Oak Leafers a cushion to build on but they didn't find it easy. No Crossmaglen team folds easily and right from the restart Ruairi O'Neill swung the ball over from the left corner. Johnston wiped out that score, O'Connor pointed for Cross but Quigg hit his fourth point to keep his goal between the teams after 35 minutes.
John Kernan replaced Savage in the Armagh side and things began to hum for the holders. O'Neill (free), corner-back Aaron Smylie and Shane McConville tied it all up again at 1-8 to 0-11.
That, however, seemed to give Kilrea a jolt and thy slid into gear again. They should have increased their lead but fired three wides from distance. Cross closed the gap to one point but a massive effort by Kielt, from almost midfield, crashed off the top of a post and dropped over the bar. In injury time, Quigg and Kielt added further points from free-kicks to seal victory at 1-14 to 0-13.
“We expected a big battle from Cross and they didn't disappoint us,” said delighted winning manager Vincent McKenna. “At times we made hard work of it but we got there in the end, thankfully.”
Paddy Quigg reflected: “I missed a few scores but we won. We will face a massive challenge from Glenties in the semi-final.”
A gracious Crossmaglen manager Kieran Donnelly commented: “Kilrea was he best team on the day. We can't have any complaints”.
Kilrea:A Gillen; D Rocks, G McLaughlin, S Madden; T Quigg, R McCamphill, M Doherty; L Kielt (0-3, 0-1 free), M Quinn; K Quinn, C Gillen, D McLaughlin; O McAleer (0-2), N Johnston (0-3, 0-1 free), P Quigg (1-6, 0-5 frees). Sub: R Maguire for McAleer (54 mins).
Crossmaglen:J McEvoy; R McKeever, T Hughes, A Smylie (0-1); C Donnelly, C McCumiskey, D McDonnell; Ruairi O'Neill (0-1), Rian O'Neill (0-7, 0-4 frees); C Savage, O Kiernan, S McConville (0-1); Evans (0-1), R O'Connor (0-2), C McConville. Sub: J Kernan for Savage (36 mins).
Referee – G Finnegan (Down).
