Kilcoo survive off-the-ball moment of madness to beat St Finbarr’s in extra time

Lee Costello

Kilcoo 1-18 St Finbarr’s 1-13

St Finbarr’s and Kilcoo were all square, with 1-10 each on the scoreboard, and as the clock ticked into injury time Kilcoo were awarded a free kick.

Paul Devlin was in the middle of lining himself up to take what would be the point that sends the Down champions into the All-Ireland Club final, and if you were a betting man, you would say he gets it.

However, he never gets to take it because an off-the-ball incident occurs, when Aidan Branagan shoulders into a standing Finbarr’s player, causing the Cork men to rush towards the referee, pleading for him to take action.

David Gough was the sideline official who spotted the incident and after some deliberation with the man in charge, a red card was issued, the free kick was no more, and a hop ball was given instead.

The whistle went just seconds after, and the game was sent into extra time.

Paul Devlin did get his moments to shine however, as he kicked two points in extra time to help the Ulster champions regain the lead.

It was a game of fouls and frees however, as the Munster kingpins were well versed in the art of winning frees, inviting contact and teeing up their spot-kicker, Steven Sherlock to take care of the rest.

The experience and guile of the Ulster side proved to be the difference however, as they kept possession well in the extra time, and frustrated The Barr’s who found themselves unable to reduce the deficit.

Another red card was then shown, this time to a St Finbarr’s player as their full back, Jamie Burns was given his marching orders before full time.

Although Sherlock was unbelievable from the dead ball situation, kicking into double figures, the Magpies had a secret weapon of their own in the shape of goalkeeper, Niall Kane.

With the number one on his back, he proudly ended the game with three scores, including some crucial kicks when the game was still in the melting pot.