High flying Killererin can put seal on great year

KILLERERIN footballers may have been living dangerously in most of their championship matches this year, but the men from Barnaderg now stand just 60 minutes away from capturing the club’s third ever Connacht title. The team’s ability to grind out results in tight matches is almost legendary now and this admirable trait is bound to stand the Galway champions in good stead for Sunday’s provincial showdown. 

They already have one big advantage with the final going ahead in their home patch of Tuam Stadium and though St. Brigid’s of Roscommon represent formidable opposition despite a less than convincing semi-final performance up in Leitrim, the 2006 Connacht champions face a major hurdle in trying to subdue what is clearly a rejuvenated Killererin outfit. With Padraic Joyce back on board after his nuptials, the Galway men are going to take some stopping.

Having already shown their mettle in wearing down Mountbellew/Moulough in a semi-final which went to a replay, Killererin went on to upset the odds with a comfortable victory over title holders Corofin in the county final at Pearse Stadium. Despite a difficult third quarter, they were clearly the better team, playing the more effective and tactically astute football. Of course, it was also a big help to them that Nicky Joyce was in such sparkling form up front. 

That set Killererin up for a Connacht semi-final with new Mayo champions, Ballintubber, and the match certainly didn’t go to script in the opening-half. Playing with the wind, Tommie Joyce and company were rocked by the vibrancy and strong running of their opponents’, falling four points behind at one stage. Having rallied before the interval, it took a huge disciplined display of possession football in the second-half to swing the match in their favour. There was only a point in it at the end, but Killererin were worthy winners.

Without Padraic Joyce, Killererin proved that they had no shortage of other leaders in their ranks. Tomás Fahy was a hive of energy on the left flank of their defence while Tom Hughes delivered another outstanding performance in the middle of the park. With player/manager Tommie Joyce dictating the onfield tactics and his first cousin Nicky rolling up the sleeves, Killererin were not to be denied. That result should leave them in perfect spirits for Sunday’s showdown against a team that comfortably beat them in the 2007 championship.

St. Brigid’s have been the dominant force in Roscommon football in recent years and their big win over Eastern Harps of Sligo (0-21 to 0-4) in the opening round certainly caught the eye. Perhaps, the nature of that easy victory disarmed them heading up to Leitrim for the Connacht semi-final, but they were given a rough ride before emerging triumphant by 1-15 to 3-5 against Glencar-Manorhamilton. Their attack is regarded as the team’s strongest sector and they do possess proven scoregetters in the likes of ex-county man, Frankie Dolan, Senan Kilbride and Conor McHugh.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.