Injury-time Sweeney point rescues draw for Killannin

Annaghdown 2-10

Cathal Sweeney salvaged a draw for Killannin against Annaghdown last Saturday as his point in the 13th minute of added time meant nothing could separate the sides after a thrilling contest in which the teams were level on 12 separate occasions.

While the evening was marred by a couple of long stoppages to treat injuries to Annaghdown’s Ciarán Duggan and Killannin’s Seán Thornton, the game itself was a tit-for-tat battle between two sides who have realistic expectations of going far in this year’s championship.

In the end, it’ll probably be Killannin who’ll be more disappointed that they didn’t come away with the two points. David Melia’s side have now drawn both of their opening games in Group 2 after letting a big lead slip against Salthill-Knocknacarra in their opener.

Annaghdown were without key players, with both Damien Comer and Eoghan Kerin missing the tie; while Ciarán Duggan was forced off late on with an arm injury that will see him miss a chunk of Galway’s ‘Super 8s’ campaign. Add to that Annaghdown being down to 14 men from the 40th minute on and Killannin may well feel they let an opportunity slip.

It was clear from fairly early on that there wasn’t going to be much between the teams and they were level, 0-2 apiece, after the opening 10 minutes. Niall Walsh had opened the scoring before Diarmuid Newell hit back for Annaghdown. Enda Kelly put Killannin back in front with a good score from 40m but Frankie Burke was on hand to tie them up again.

Johnny Heaney kicked Killannin ahead again in the 11th minute before they got the opening goal of the game in bizarre fashion. Annaghdown goalkeeper James Healy soloed out from goal with possession but he kicked the ball straight to Patrick Sweeney, who was about 60m from goal. Spotting his chance, Sweeney launched the ball back towards the empty goal net where it evaded a last-ditch dive from Healy and rolled into the net.

Annaghdown didn’t spend long dwelling on the concession, however, and had a goal of their own within about 90 seconds. Having worked the ball up the wing, Annaghdown’s Keith Greaney cut through before passing the ball across goal for Ryan Forde to flick home the easiest of finishes.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.