Dara Walsh strikes late for dramatic Killannin victory over Leitir Móir
Dara Walsh was the hero for Killannin at Pearse Stadium on Sunday, when his last-minute two-point free secured the spoils in their relegation semi-final against Naomh Anna Leitir Móir. Walsh had a colossal game for Killannin on the day, scoring four two pointers (one free) and inspiring his side’s second-half comeback to defeat Leitir Móir 1-20 to 4-10.
Leitir Móir must have been wondering how on earth they managed to lose this game, having established an eight point lead midway through the second-half. After Dylan Seoighe scored their fourth goal, the contest looked done and dusted. However, Killannin produced a marvellous comeback in the fourth quarter to take the spoils and consign Naomh Anna to the relegation final against Caltra.
The first half began with two early goals for Leitir Móir, coming from Oisín Mac Donnacha and Warren Seoighe. Oisín Mac Donnacha soon pointed a free as Leitir Móir underlined their dream start, leading by 2-1 to 0-0 after 10 minutes.
Killannin tallied four consecutive points to settle themselves. Cian Marks, Johnny Heaney, Cian Folan, and Dara Walsh registered badly needed scores. Oisín Mac Donnacha and Heaney soon traded points, before Leitir Móir had their third goal of the game, through Fionn Mac Donnacha.
Oisín Mac Donnacha soon added his second free to make it 3-3 to 0-5. Killannin badly needed a spark, and when Folan was brought down in the square, they were awarded a penalty. Heaney made no mistake, firing low to the bottom corner to leave four points between the sides at half-time.
Leitir Móir extended their lead early in the second-half, with a point from Oisín Mac Donnacha, after some good work from Tomás Ó’Curraoin. Brian Mitchell responded for Killannin with a two-pointer from the left wing, as the strength of the wind told.
Points from Oisin (free) and Fionn Mac Donnacha had Leitir Móir 3-6 to 1-7 ahead by the 40th minute. Killannin replied with a free from Enda Kelly, but Leitir Móir soon had their fourth goal. A high ball into the square broke to Oisín Mac Donnacha, and he set up Dylan Seoighe, who finished to the net.
Killannin’s subsequent kick-out was turned over by Fionn Mac Donnacha, who fisted a point to leave eight between the sides, and things looked bleak for Killannin at this stage, but they refused to lie down.
Walsh set over a two pointer from the right wing, before Ciarán Ó’Catháin replied with a point at the other end.
However, Leitir Móir would fail to score for the next 12 minutes, during which time Killannin scored 0-8. They used the wind to full advantage, with four consecutive two pointers. Orange flags from Heaney, Walsh (two sublime efforts), and Kelly (free) gave them the lead in the fifty fifth minute.
Leitir Móir retook the lead with a superb two point free into the wind from Iarla Ó’Curraoin. However, Walsh had the final say, with his free from 60 yards landing on target to secure Killannin’s senior status for 2027.
Killannin: J Walsh; R Joyce, D Henderson, T McAndrew; C Kinnevey, C Sweeney, B Mitchell (0-2, tp); D Walsh (0-9, three tp, one tpf), R Roche; C Marks (0-1), E Kelly (0-3, one 2tpf, 0-1f), J Heaney (1-4, 1-0 pen, one tp); J O’Toole, C Folan (0-1), R Melia. Subs: S Heffernan for McAndrew (34mins), P Sweeney for Henderson (41mins).
Naomh Anna Leitir Móir: CT Ó Flatharta; E Mac Donnacha, SA Ó Ceallaigh, C Seoighe; T Ó Curraoin, M Ó Cualáin, E Ó Flatharta; ME Bairéad, C Ó Catháin (0-1); J Ó Gríofa, W Seoighe (1-0), PS Ó Ceallaigh; D Seoighe (1-0), O Mac Donnacha (1-5, 0-3f), F Mac Donnacha (1-2). Subs: E Ó’Fátharta for PS Ó’Ceallaigh (inj, 28mins), E Ó’Loingsigh for Ó Gríofa (54mins), I Ó Curraoin (0-2, tpfree) for D Seoighe (58mins), M Ó Curraoin for Ó Fátharta (54mins).
Referee: Austin O’Connell.