Killeavy made the long trip from South Armagh to East Tyrone this evening for the fourth round of the Armagh League. A deluge a half an hour before throw in threatened to derail the fixture but the Clochóg field held up exceptionally well to deal with the heavy rain and allow the game to proceed.
Naomh Moninne started well and were two points up midway through the first half leading by 0-6 to 0-4 before Rory lobbed a shot over the Killeavy keeper into the top corner to give the Black and Red a lead that wasn't relinquished for the rest of the game. The experienced Glen man rolled back the years with two top drawer points before his goal and was well assisted in the full forward line with Tony O'Hagan scoring a hard earned one handed goal and Oisín Mór rifling over two neat points as well.
NCC out scored the Armagh men by 2-5 to 0-2 in the second quarter and held an eight point lead as the half-time whistle sounded, going in on a 2-9 to 0-7 scoreline.
Killeavy started brightly in the second half and reduced the Cilles lead to five after a goal from a high delivery was flicked to the net leaving the score reading 2-10 to 1-08 in NCC’s favour. Excellent points from Conor Doherty, who was hurling well in midfield, Petie Corr and Gary Mulgrew were followed by a well taken second goal from Tony O'Hagan after good work from Dan Taffe. It was Tony's fifth goal in four games and was the final score of the night as the game finished in bizarre circumstances with the Black and Red finishing first on a 3-12 to to 1-08 scoreline.
NCC had good performances all over the field with Paddy McCusker steady between the posts, Shea Devlin played well in his first start at full back. It was encouraging to see Odhrán McMurray back in the starting line up after recovering from injury. Darragh Coney was up for the challenge and was forceful throughout in the number four jersey. The half back line held firm all evening with Seán O'Neill moving out from the edge of the square and hurling well at five. Irwin Donnellan, another man returning from injury was teak tough at centre half back and Westmeath native Paul Greville was his usual influential self at left half back, prompting constant attacks and firing over a monster point in the first half. Vinnie McCann fought hard in the middle of the field and young Conor Doherty showed flashes of his potential with some nice touches and two lovely points from open play. Peter Corr was economy personified in possession slotting over two classy points and opening the Killeavy defence with a pinpoint crossfield pass for an Oisín Mór point in the second half. Gary Mulgrew continued his good scoring form, posting three points and Rónán Maguire worked hard in the middle third. The full forward line of Rory, Tony and Oisín profitted well from the direct service, posting a combined 3-4 from open play.
Overall it was an encouraging display from NCC and another two points on the board. Next up for O’Farrell’s squad is an away game to take on St Malachy’s of Portadown next Tuesday 16/05/23.

Foireann NCC: Paddy McCusker, Odhrán McMurray, Shéa Devlin, Darragh Coney, Seán O’Neill, Irwin Donnellan, Paul Greville (0-1), Conor Doherty (0-2), Vinny McCann, Peter Corr (0-2), Gary Mulgrew (0-3, 0-2 from frees), Rónán Maguire, Rory Poncánach Ó Néill (1-02), Tony O'Hagan (2-0), Oisín Mór Ó Néill (0-2)
Fir Ionaid: Daniel Taffe for Vinny McCann, Liam McIllvenna for Odhrán McMurray, Eric Kirwan, Jarlath Canavan