Killeshin survive late Rosenallis scare to book Round 3 place in SFC
A late goal and a missed two-point free almost rescued Rosenallis, but Killeshin held on to progress
Killeshin are through to Round 3 of the Laois Shopping Centre SFC after overcoming Rosenallis by two points in a lacklustre affair in Annanough on Friday night.
The game lacked the intensity normally associated with championship football, but Killeshin will not care as they progress to Round 3, with Rosenallis dropping into the Senior ‘B’ competition.
In truth, Killeshin should have had the game wrapped up by half-time as they dominated possession throughout the opening half, but could only take a five-point lead into the break.
Rosenallis will be disappointed with their performance, as they only really came to the fore during the final 10 minutes. They had a chance to force extra-time, but Charlie Friel’s long-range free struck the upright and went wide, with Killeshin just escaping.
Killeshin opened the scoring with an excellent point from play by Eoin Lowry. The following 10 minutes belonged to the accuracy of Killian Roche.
He first nailed a two-pointer from a free after Rosenallis were penalised for an infringement before adding two more frees to put Killeshin five points ahead. Eoin Lowry then added a two-pointer of his own and it looked as though Killeshin were going to coast through the game, but that never materialised.
Rosenallis finally got on the scoreboard through a Charlie Friel free in the 23rd minute, but Killeshin responded immediately with a point from Michael Doran. John O’Loughlin, who was superb for his side, then kicked a brilliant two-pointer before half-time to leave Killeshin leading 0-8 to 0-3 at the break.
Rosenallis started the second half brightly, kicking two points in a row through Jack Claffey and Brian Fitzpatrick to reduce the deficit to three. The winners settled once again, however, and responded with the next four scores. Adam Farrell got on the scoresheet before Killian Roche added another two-pointer from a free, with Eoin Lowry also finding the target.
At that stage, it appeared the game was over as a contest. Killian Roche was then at his brilliant best at the other end, denying Charlie Friel a certain goal with an excellent save using his feet.
Immediately afterwards, Evan Lowry got his name on the scoresheet to open up an eight-point advantage with 10 minutes remaining and Killeshin looked to be cruising towards victory.
However, Friel sparked Rosenallis into life by kicking three points in a row, two from frees and another superb effort from play. The comeback continued as Rosenallis reduced the deficit to two points heading into injury time, with Paul Maher finding the back of the net with a brilliant finish.
It was all Rosenallis at that stage and they were presented with a golden opportunity to level the game and force extra time. Friel stepped up to take a free from distance, but his effort struck the upright and went wide. The free was taken from outside the arc, meaning a successful attempt would have been worth two points and would have brought the sides level.
Killeshin managed to see out the final minute and hold on for a narrow victory, booking their place in Round 3 of the championship while sending Rosenallis into the Senior ‘B’.
FINAL SCORE
Killeshin 0-13
Rosenallis 1-8
SCORERS - Killeshin: Killian Roche 0-6 (two two-point frees, 0-2 frees), Eoin Lowry 0-4 (one two-pointer), Michael Doran, Evan Lowry and Adam Farrell 0-1 each. Rosenallis: Charlie Friel 0-4 (0-3 frees), Paul Maher 1-0, John O'Loughlin 0-2 (two-pointer), Jack Claffey (free) and Brian Fitzpatrick 0-1 each
KILLESHIN: Killian Roche; Jack Brennan, Brendan McDonald, James Davis; Michael Gaffney, Leeson Hughes, James Doogue; Cathal Byrne, Conor Heffernan; Adam Farrell, Evan Lowry, Jack Milton; Evan English, Eoin Lowry, Michael Doran. Subs: Eoin Brennan for Doogue (43 mins), Conor Hassett for Farrell (52 mins), Daniel McGrath for Gaffney (54 mins).
ROSENALLIS: Conor Cosgrove; Paul Maher, Paddy Keating, Barry McEvoy; David Dooley, Matthew Bennett, Fiachra C Fennell; John O'Loughlin, Jimmy Hyland; Diarmaid Dooley, Charlie Friel, Joey Shelley; Brian Fitzpatrick, Ruairi C Fennell, Jack Claffey. Subs: Paul Maher for John Maher (8 mins), Jack Friel for Hyland (45 mins), Alex Marron for Claffey (51 mins)
REFEREE: Colin Bailey (Mountrath)