Rostrevors Colm Clerkin earned his team a draw at a well-attended Pettit Park when he shot an equalising point with the final kick of an enthralling game last Thursday. To add to the drama, the free, awarded deep in added time by referee Barry Andrews, was angrily disputed by the visitors; but disputed or not, the score probably ensured that justice was done, for neither side deserved to lose in this frothy match.
SEARING
The game was played at a searing pace from start to finish, and ironically, no-one contributed more to the spectacle than the man who bore the brunt of the final whistle controversy, Barry Andrews, who allowed to play to flow freely while still managing to keep a lid on negative football. Reds started strongly. Inside six minutes they were three points up. Good points they were too; excellent efforts from Conor Mackin and Turlough Murphy and a free from Colm Clerkin.But by the twentieth minute, Kilcoo were right back in it and the impressive Paul Devlin had kicked two points himself and set up two others for Noel Devlin. With Shaun Parr raiding forward for Rostrevors fourth, that tied the scores at 0-4 each, and the outstanding Brian Cole restored Reds lead before Kilcoo regined the initiative just before half time. Noel Devlin was pulled down in full flight and Conor Laverty made a great job of the penalty.A glorious sideline free from Paul Devlin then saw Magpies go in 1-5 to 0-6 up at half time, for James Kane smart save from Colm Clerkins snap shot kept Rotrevor at bay.
THRILLS
There was no let up after the break. In the first minute, Brian Cole broke brilliantly on the right and his perfectly weighted pass was flipped to the net by the on-rushing Lloyd Parr. Back came Paul Devlin to level the scores.A great point from Colm Clerkin made it 1-7 to 1-6 and then Conor Laverty sent Conor Morgan in to equalise again. What looked like the tipping point arrived in the 46th minute. Brian O’Hanlon raided forward and kept on running to pat Gary McEvoys fisted pass into an empty netWith Donal Kane extending Kilcoos lead to four it looked bleak for Rostrevor with less than ten minutes to go. But the game continued to sizzle. Clom Clerkin kicked a peach of a point, and after Paul Devlin stretched Kilcoos advantage back to four, sub Colm Murney popped up in attack to cut the difference back to three . And so, with two minutes left, Dermot Mackins high probe to the goalmouth ended up in the net as James Kane appeared to be distracted by an inrushing forward. A draw, most agreed , would be a fair result, but there was still a bit to go. Paul Devlins free made it 2-10 to 2-9, but Martin Cole came up to hit the leveller from fifty yards as the game went in to added time. And 63 minutes in, Conor Laverty looked to have snatched it for Kilcoo when he manoeuvred space for himself to nudge Magpies ahaead once more. But there was still time for the kick-out; still time for that free kick 45 yards from the kilcoo goal and that cool conversion from Colm Clerkin which sent the home fans, at least, home happy.
FINE FOOTBALL
There was a lot of fine football played in this game, hence a lot of fine individual performances. By far the most complete player on the park was Rostrevors Brian Cole, whose spring-heeled leaps for possession gave Rostrevor an unexpected edge around the middle of the park. Also in fine fettle were jarlath Farrell, Shaun Parr, Colm Clerkin, and Conor mackin. Top Magpies were Aidan Brannigan, Martin McClean, Conor Laverty and Paul Devlin
Rostrevor scorers; Colm Clerkin [0-5]; Lloyd Parr [1-0]; Dermot Mackin [1-0]; Conor Mackin [0-1]; Turlough Murphy [0-1]; Shaun Parr [0-1]; Brian Cole [0-1]; Colm Murney [0-1]; Martin Cole [0-1]
Kilcoo scorers; Paul Devlin [0-6]; Conor Laverty [1-1]; Brian O’Hanlon [1-0]; Noel Devlin [0-2]; Conor Morgan [0-1]; Donal Kane [0-1]
Rostrevor team; Christopher McCartan; Aidan Cousins, Paul Magee, Jarlath Farrell; Turliough Murphy, Shaun Parr, Kevin McGrath; Cathal Magee, Martin Cole; Brian Cole, Colm Clerkin, Conor Mackin; Lloyd Parr, Joe Fegan, Fintan McBreen.
Subs used; Dermot Mackin; Niall Farrell; Colm Murney; Ryan Watt; Nicholas Mills
Kilcoo team; James Kane; Niall Brannigan, Aidan Brannigan, Gerard McEvoy; Brian O’Hanlon, Niall Morgan, Conor Morgan; Paul Greenan, Martin McClean; Noel Devlin, Anthony Morgan, Collie Devlin; Conor Laverty, Paul Devlin, Gary McEvoy
Subs used; Donal Kane; Damian Grant
Referee: Barry Andrews
Man of the Match: Brian Cole [Rostrevor]