Mayo IFC: Late points ensure Ardnaree of a share of the spoils against Kiltimagh

Ardnaree maintained their unbeaten run in the Egan Jewellers Intermediate Football Championship with a draw against Kiltimagh in Crossmolina, where it finished 1-14 apiece, writes Brian Gillespie.

There was nothing riding on the outcome as Ardnaree, with two wins from two games already, were already assured of top spot in Group 4 and Kiltimagh, with back-to-back defeats, had no chance of avoiding bottom spot and, with it, a relegation battle.

That didn't stop both teams from putting the effort in. Ardnaree started swiftly, scoring four points in the opening six minutes, but after that Kiltimagh gave as good as they got.

The east Mayo team were ahead by one at the break (0-6 to 0-5), the very impressive Conor Hession leading the way with three points (two frees). Ethan Convey was Ardnarees top marksman, scoring four first-half points (two frees).

The Ballina-based team thought they had the game's first goal on the stroke of half-time but John Timlin's effort was ruled out for over-carrying.

Ardnaree went very close to scoring a goal early in the second half too but Jason Crean's shot was somehow kept out by a combination of the Kiltimagh goalie, Jamie McNicholas, and a few defenders.

Following that let-off, Kiltimagh broke quickly and went two up thanks to Jordan Henry's point.

The game was nip and tuck thereafter, with Kiltimagh managing to stay ahead but normally only by one or two points.

They stretched the gap to three on 50 minutes when sub Paddy McDonnell pointed. However, Ardnaree enjoyed their best spell in the next few minutes, Convey with a two frees either side of a goal from substitute Jonathan Doherty, leaving them 1-11 to 0-12 up.

But Kiltimagh came again, McDonnell palming the ball to the net at the clubhouse end after good work by Paul Kelly, with Hession following up with an excellent point.

Adam Parsons reduced the gap, Hession stretched it again, but Ardnaree landed two late points through Convey (free) and Cathal Noone to grap a share of the spoils.

*Read the full report in next week's print edition of The Connaught Telegraph