Wiltonx Utd v Killumneyx Utd 19.03.06
PREMIER A
Wilton United 3 Killumney United 3
A superb 50 yard ball out of his own defence by second half substitute Steven Daly sparked an unlikely Wilton United revival, a revival that saw them score twice in the closing minutes to draw 3-3 with Killumney United in Sunday’s Premier A game at the Lee Road.
Killumney had edged the first half and led 2-1 at the break. Their man of the match, Dermot O’Kelly, stretched that margin with a well-taken goal on the hour and there seemed no way back for the home side.
But the key to the revival came when Daly sent his fantastic pass diagonally over the Killumney defence in the 88th minute. It fell between Ian Dooley and advancing keeper Denis Cronin. The ball broke from their clash and sub Mark Ryan headed into the empty net to make it 3-2.
In the final minute, Cronin made a fine save at his near post when Wilton winger Shane O'Neill let fly but the experienced Killumney man couldn’t prevent the corner. The game was in injury time when Daly floated that over to the far post. The ball was headed back across goal and skipper Paul O’Mahony, not the biggest man in the crowded box, headed home from close range.
It had all started so well for Killumney. True, there was a scare or two early on. In the 10th minute, keeper Cronin had to tip a dangerous Shane O'Neill cross against his bar and seconds later was relieved to see an 18 yard volley by the same player fly just wide.
Killumney took the lead in the 14th minute when midfielder O’Kelly capitalised on some hesitant defending and drove an angled low shot past keeper Dooley and in by the far post.
Wilton tried to get back into it. Skipper O’Mahony worked hard to win the ball in the box in the 16th minute but his low cross towards the unmarked Conor O’Neill was intercepted by keeper Cronin who did something similar in the 25th when cutting out a potent cross from the right by raiding full back Brian Kelly.
Killumney put the move of the match together in the 27th minute and made it 2-0. Michael Sugrue’s ball forward found Terry Yelverton and his low cross was allowed run on by incoming captain Finbarr Curran and Bornemann took full advantage to guide the ball home from close range.
Wilton kept trying and should have scored in the 34th minute when Paul O’Mahony sent Ian Dooley in on the left but his low drive sped across the keeper and just wide of the far stick. Four minutes later, they got one back when impressive defender Tom Murphy rose at the far post to head in a well taken Kelly corner.
O'Kelly had two Killumney chances as they finished the half on a high. In the 44th minute, he took on a through ball by Yelverton but was denied by a brave save from the advancing keeper.
In the next minute, O’Kelly got in behind the defence on a through ball by McNamara but fired just wide of the far post. Still, it looked as if those misses would not prove costly when, in the 60th minute, Kelly raced after McNamara’s through ball and whipped his shot past the stranded Dooley to make it 3-1.
The handicap wasn't enough to faze Daly and company, even if they left the memorable finish very late indeed, Lady Luck at last smiling on Daly after his Beef and Salmon frustration at Cheltenham.
Wilton United: Mark Dooley, Brian Kelly, James Galvin, Phil Haly, Tom Murphy, Fergal Kelleher, Shane O’Neill, John O’Mahony, Paul O’Mahony (captain), Conor O’Neill and Ian Dooley. Subs used: Steven Daly for C. O’Neill (57th minute) and Mark Ryan for J. O’Mahony (73rd).
Killumney United: Denis Cronin, Dave O’Sullivan, Mark Connick, Terry Yelverton, Omar Desmond, Eamonn McNamara, Michael Sugrue, Dermot O’Kelly, Alan O’Loughlin, Finbarr Curran (captain) and Bobby Bornemann. Sub used: Vince Aherne for Bornemann (86th minute).
Referee: Keith Callanan.
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