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Killala throw title race wide open by ending Mulranny’s long unbeaten run
TUESDAY, 22 JUNE 2010 11:24 WRITTEN BY TOM KELLY
Mulranny United 0
Killala 3
Killala have pick-pocketed the leadership of Division One of the Mayo League in unexpected fashion.
They brought Mulranny United crashing to their first defeat of the campaign at sun-blessed Currane on Sunday with a stunning second half performance.
The result put Killala at the top of the table on goal difference as they set their sights firmly on the title with nine rounds of matches remaining.
The home side could not have selected a worse time to suffer their first loss of the series after registering 22 points in their previous eight outings.
Despite the surprise setback, they remain in a strong position to mount a serious bid for the crown in which surely is a two-horse race between themselves and Killala.
There was little evidence in a scoreless opening half to suggest Mulranny were destined to lose their long unbeaten run.
And even when the intelligent Rory Gallagher gave the visitors the lead in the early moments of the second half, United displayed all the signs of a side capable of mounting a successful comeback.
The inventive Charlie O’Donnell was utilising his experience to telling effect in his central midfield role while Adrian Grealish, Wesley Patten and Tom Molloy were supporting him at every turn.
Molloy should have equalised from close range after being set up by O’Donnell’s precision pass, but the finish was sprayed over Sean McHale’s crossbar.
Patten’s shooting was also less then perfect when he had McHale at his mercy in the 73rd minute.
Grealish had the misfortune of recording the most glaring miss of all, his headed effort from four yards being hooked wide of the target.
Ultimately, United paid a heavy price for committing too many players to attack in an all-out effort to salvage a draw at the very least.
Killala, adept at defending in numbers when they needed to, displayed a sharp ability to counter-attack at pace.
Gallagher , operating in a lone striker’s role for much of the second half, was exceptionally good at holding up the ball, turning at speed and putting pressure on the Mulranny defenders.
He killed off the game with nine minutes remaining when he brilliantly capitalised on a poor clearance before clinically executing his second goal with composure and zeal.
McNulty was also involved in engineering his side’s third goal three minutes later following Killala’s most impressive move.
Jonny McNulty and Gallagher combined impressively with one touch passes to carve open the United defence, the move climaxing with the former rolling the ball into an empty net.
It was a magnificent passage of play by a Killala side full of confidence and adventure.
While the two front men may have stole the headlines, the work rate and resilience of the Killala defence during the spell of intense Mulranny pressure did not go unnoticed.
Central defender Eamon Knox was inspirational while Matt Webb, John Clarke, Mark McDonnell and McHale never stopped working.
It was a very disappointing result for Mulranny and it will be revealing to see how they respond to it.
Mulranny United: R. O’Grady, K. McManamon, S. McManamon, J. O’Donnell, M. Staunton, C. O’Donnell, F. Cowley, W. Patten, A. Grealish, P. Sweeney, T. Molloy.
Subs used: J. O’Malley, S. Padden and M. Joyce.
Killala: S. McHale, M. Webb, D. Cadden, E. Knox, O. Clarke, J. Clarke, K. Whyte, M. McDonnell, J. McNulty, R. Gallagher, A. Murphy.
Subs used: K. Murray, B. McNulty, D. Lowther.
Ref: S. Manning (Achill).
●Star rating: Rory Gallagher . Strong and unselfish.
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Killala 3 Knock/ Kiltimagh 0
In this rehearsal for the cup semi final on July 1st neither team looked convincing and it was the home side who took the lead before the break with a fine Rory Gallagher goal.The visitors began to show the effects of their Thursday night cup battle and Killala exploited this and their strong running and incisive tackling was too much for the weary Knock/Kiltimagh lads and goals from Jonny McNulty & Alan Murphy sealed it for Killala. Team Sean mcHale, Matt Webb, Eamon Knox, Oliver Clarke, Kevin Whyte, Marc McDonnell, Ian O’Boyle, Alan Murphy , John Clarke, Rory Gallagher, Johnny McNulty subs Ritchie Lynn & David Cadden
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Claremorriss 5 Killala 2
Once again Killala shot out of the blocks and went in front courtesy of a Rory Gallagher chipped goal but as the half took shape the Premier division leaders showed why they are Super League bound and took control of proceedings and had the visitors 4-1 down by half time. Killala , however , were unfortunate to be in this position as the defense were missing 3 of its regulars and it showed as the home side capitalised with 4 set piece strikes. Killala got to grips with the game in the second period and a rejigged midfield stemmed the flow and a Marc McDonnell headed goal put them back in it at 4-2. Alan Murphy and Johnny McNulty both had chances to narrow the margin and then it would have been interesting to see how it went as Claremorris were begining to get uneasy. A fifth goal in injury time though put the gloss on it for the winners who were well worth their win. Killala wont despair though and they can take more positives than negatives out of this clash which gave managers Mark & Johnny a chance to look at different players for the heavy league programme ahead. Team. Kevin Murray, Conor O’Boyle, Kevin Whyte, Aidan Ferguson, David Cadden, Marc McDonnell, Ian O’Boyle, Alan Murphy, John Clarke, Johnny McNulty Rory Gallagher Subs David Lowther Brendan McNulty
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Inver Utd 0 Killala 2
Another 3 points on the road and Killala still looking sharper away from Courthouse St. this season. An early goal from a looping header by Richard Lynn settled the visitors and went on to dominate proceedings for the rest of the first half and should have had more if Rory Gallagher had his shooting boots on. The second half brought Inver more into the game and the lesson of the previos Sunday seemed to be heeded as the defense and midfield stood firm and left keeper Sean McHale with little to do. A Johnny McNulty strike on the hour settled it and the visitors held on for full points this time out. Team Sean McHale, Matt Webb, David Cadden, Aidan Ferguson, Eamon Knox, Marc McDonnell, Ian O’Boyle, Ritchie Lynn, Kevin Whyte, Rory Gallagher, Johnny McNulty Subs used Kevin Murray
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Killala 3 Castlebar Celtic B 3
Even though the point gained from this game was enough to see the home side top the table, it will still be viewed as 2 valuable points lost when the end of season review takes place. killala opened the brighter and played the best football of the two teams and were infront after only 10 minutes when Johnny McNulty scored from close range. Alan Murphy made it 2-0 short time later and the visitors could count hemselves lucky to only trail by these 2 at halftime. Killala had a reshuffle at halftime and this seemed to upset their rythm and after 15 mins of the second period let the visitors back into it through sloppy defending conceded a penalty. Rory Gallagher soon restored the cushion though with a well taken goal and the homeside could have had 3 more but poor finishing let Celtic off the hook. a 2 goal lead though is never a safe one and complacency seemed to set in and allowed Celtic to score 2 goals in the last 6 minutes to give them a share of the spoils. Team Sean mcHale, Kevin Whyte, Matt Webb, Eamon Knox, Aidan Ferguson, Marc McDonnell, Ian O’Boyle, Ritcie Lynn, Alan murphy, Rory Gallagher, Johnny McNulty Subs David Cadden, Mark Beattie, Brendan McNulty
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Killala 5 Moy Villa 1
This game was not as comfortable as the scoreline looks and if the visitors took advantage of the possesion afforded to them in the openong 20 mins then the game might have took on a different complexion. But goals win games and Killala managed 5 of them. Rory Gallagher opened the scoring after five minutes with a sweet right footed strike after rounding the keeper.. The Visitors then had their best period but could not convert their possesion into goals.on the half hour mark Johnny McNulty was hauled down in the box , the offending player received a red card and Rory Gallagher doubled the punishment and scored from the spot. Down to 10 men Villa lost all their concentration they did have a shot off the bar that came close to crossing the line and down the other end Marc McDonnell saw his shot come back off the bar before further goals from Alan Murphy and Johnny McNulty wrapped up the game for Killala before the half time break. The secondhalf was a scrappy affair with the only highlights being Rory Gallagher completing his hatrick and Moy Villa pulling one back from the spot. Team Sean McHale, Matt Webb, Aidan Ferguson, Eamonn Knox, David Cadden, Marc McDonnell, Ian O’Boyle, Alan Murphy, John Clarke, Rory Gallagher, Johnny McNulty Subs, Kevin Whyte, Oliver Clarke, Mark Beattie
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Manulla B 0 Killala 5
A whirlwind start by the visitors saw them with a comfortable 3-0 half time lead in Carramore on Saturday night. Marc McDonnell opened the scoring after five minutes with a well taken goal as he outpaced the Manulla defence to score from the edge of the box. constant Killala pressure saw Johnny McNulty scramble home a corner to make it 2-0 and then an OG as a home defender put through his own goal to put Killala 3-0 up and the game over as a contest after only 30mins.. Killala Scored 2 further goals in the second half through John McNulty and a fine individual goal from Rory Gallagher but they will face sterner tests than this during the season and next weeks Derby at Courthouse St. against Moy Villa will be one of them . Team Sean McHale Matt Webb, Eamon Knox, Aidan Ferguson, David Cadden, Marc McDonnell, Ian O’Boyle, Alan Murphy, John Clarke, Rory Gallagher, Johnny McNulty Subs Oliver Clarke, Kevin Whyte, Mark Beattie
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Achill Rovers 1 Killala 3
Killala were forced to shuffle the pack for the first time this year when Eamon Knox, Kevin Whyte and Johnny McNulty were all unavailable for this early kick off in Achill on Sunday. in came Oliver Clarke and Mark Beattie for their first competitive starts this season and Alan Murphy moved to left of midfield in the reshuffle. Eager to avenge last weeks league defeat and desperate to defend their Tonra cup , the visitors started the game with vigour and a Matt Webb through ball put Mark Beatie clear and he finished brilliantly from the corner of the box to put the holders 1 nil up after 15 mins. Killala should have increased their lead before halftime but Achill held out against the breeze to keep the half time deficit at a minimum. In the second half thogh Killala came out all guns blazing and pressed the home side high up the pitch and two goals by Rory Gallagher put Killala in the comfort zone. Gallalgher was in top form and could have increased the lead even further but hit the post twice when through on goal . The expected Achill onslaught came with 15 minutes to go and forced Killala back into their own box and forced a succession of corners from which they pulled one back and were unlucky not to have a second that would have unsetled the visitors but Keeper Sean McHale made a couple of great saves to give his team a comfortable victory and passage to the semi Finals on July 1st. Team Sean mcHale, David Cadden, Aidan Ferguson, Oliver Clarke, Matt Webb, John Clarke, Marc McDonnell, Ian O’Boyle,Alan Murphy, Mark Beattie, Rory Gallagher Subs used Brendan Ryan, Kevin Murray & Conor O’Boiyle
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Killala 1 Achill Rovers 2
Killala will view this as 3 points thrown away when they look back on this game. Despite having the lions share of possesion in the first half the score remained as it started by half time. Achill defended well but never really had a chance of note in this half while the homeside did carve out a number of chances all were spurned. Alan Murphy was through on goal but brave goalkeeping denied him and a Rory Gallagher header was hooked off the line with the keeper beaten. The visitors lost their keeper before the break through injury and this had an unsettling affect on the back four . The secondhalf started in a similar rythm and it was no surprise when Alan Murphy rounde the keeper to make 1-0. Then followed a period that Killala should have killed off the game but an unchariteristic error by Kilala keeper Sean McHale allowed the visitors back into it to level the match. It was any ones match now and the islanders began to play their way into the game and a 25 yard screamer gave them the lead with 14 minutes to go. Killala tried hard to grab an equaliser and probably played their best football in the final ten minutes but couldnt snatch that elusive goal. Team Sean McHale, David Cadden, Matt Webb, Eamon Knox, Aidan Ferguson, Ian O’Boyle, Marc McDonnell, John Clarke, Kevin Whyte,Alan Murphy, Rory Gallagher Subs, Mark Beatty, Richard Lynn, Kevin Murray
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Conn Rangers 1 Killala 2
Killala travelled to Mount Falcon to play newly promoted Conn Rangers in the first local derby of the season. In a fircly contested first half it was the visitors who did the early running and were nearly rewarded when an Eamon Knox header shook the cross bar after 10mins. Kevin Whyte drew first blood when his free kick found the net after 20 mins.The tight pitch meant that this game was fought in the middle third and the lack of clear cut chance by either side meant the score remained in Killala’s favour at half time. In an often bad tempered and robust second half Conn Rangers drew level midway through the second half but it was the visitors who finished stronger forcing their opponents to play on the counter attack and when Ollie Clarke won the penalty in the last ten minutes the home side were reduced to 10 men and Rory Gallagher dispatched successfully for a worthy winner. Team: Sean McHale, David Cadden, Matt Webb, Eamon Knox, Aidan Ferguson, Kevin Whyte, Marc McDonnell, Ian O’Boyle, John Clarke, Johnny McNulty , Rory Gallagher Subs Alan Murphy , Ollie Clarke
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