Kilcoo continue Down Championship dominance

Kilcoo 2-12 Burren 0-9

Kilcoo collected the Frank O’Hare Cup for the eleventh time in twelve years as they claimed a convincing victory over Burren. A first half scoring spree along with second half goals from Miceal Rooney and Paul Devlin led Karl Lacey’s side to victory.

Burren started brightly with points from Liam Kerr and Darra Mussen while Kilcoo lost key attacker Jerome Johnston with a hamstring injury. The Magpies then took control and began dominating proceedings with six-points on the trot.

Shealan Johnston and goalkeeper Niall Kane (free) tied things up before Aaron Morgan edged Karl Lacey’s side ahead. Ryan Johnston doubled his haul straight from Kevin McKernan’s kickout before Aaron Branagan raised another white flag.

Eugene Branagan swapped scores with Mussen while two points from Paul Devlin had Kilcoo 8-3 ahead at the turnaround.

The second half started as the first, with Kerr firing over a free but it did little to derail Kilcoo. Shealan Johnston’s effort bounced off the posts and fell to the waiting arms of Miceal Rooney, who fired low to the net.

Kerr and Ronan McGrath kept Burren in touch, and they could have closed the gap further but for a superb stop from Kane, who turned Danny Magill’s effort out for a 45. Ceilum Doherty had a chance at the other end, but his shot was blocked by a Burren defender.

Kane chipped over the resulting 45 as Rooney brought their lead to six. McGrath’s second followed a Devlin brace before the same man raised a green flag, slotting home a penalty after Ryan Johnston had been fouled.

Burren Scorers: L Kerr 0-3 (3f), D Mussen 0-2, O Murdock 0-2, R McGrath 0-2.

Kilcoo Scorers: P Devlin 1-4 (1 pen, 2f), M Rooney 1-1, A Morgan 0-2, N Kane 0-2 (1f, 1 45), R Johnston 0-1, S Johnston 0-1, A Branagan 0-1.