Killannin 1-14

Barna 1- 8

By Mike Rafferty at Pearse Stadium

FIVE unanswered points at the beginning of the second half laid the foundation for Killannin to ease to a comfortable success in this senior Football championship Group 4 encounter at Pearse Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Having led by a point after a competitive opening half, matters were totally different on the resumption and building on their impressive re-start, Killannin never allowed a disappointing Barna side get back into the contest as the winners continued to extend their advantage throughout the half.

With both sides having lost their opening encounters against Milltown and Annaghdown respectively, a lot was at stake but it was Killannin who always looked to have the greater desire and forward drive to get a result.

Though the opening half exchanges looked like it left the outcome in the balance, the reality was different as Barna goalkeeper James Keane had kept his side in the game with two smashing saves in one on one situations. It was a feat he repeated in the second half also as his side’s defensive structure was certainly challenged and exposed on different occasions.

However, it was Barna who made the early scoring breakthrough as Darragh Costello and Sean Dunne slotted over points, but they were cancelled out by a Johnny Heaney free and another from Enda Kelly.

The goal opportunities came next as a Kelly pass sent Cian Gorham through on goal, but maybe he elected to shoot too early and Keane kept out his effort with his stretching leg. Minutes later there was a similar scenario as Ryan Roche released Patrick Sweeney through the middle, but even a man of his experience failed to get the better of the advancing custodian.

Pictured: Barna’s Oisín Gormley on the attack against Cathal Sweeney of Killannin during Saturday’s senior football championship clash at Pearse Stadium. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.