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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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