Kilanerin 1-12 Castletown 2-9

Conor Devitt’s 55th-minute point forced stalemate for Kilanerin with Castletown in Saturday’s cracking renewal of the Gorey district derby in the Tom Doyle Supplies county senior football championship at a well attended Pairc Uí Siocháin.

But Devitt, one of the leading figures throughout this round-two Group A fixture, might have netted instead of firing over that vital score after he had left his marker for dead and had the goal at his mercy. Kilanerin had a subsequent chance from a free in the fourth minute of added-time to snatch maximum spoils, but the attempt dropped short to ensure a fitting outcome to a duel which caught fire following a first-half when Castletown were left playing second-fiddle much of the way.

The tie took a dramatic twist midway through the second-half when Castletown struck for 2-4 without reply to seize the initiative by 2-9 to 0-8 before Kilanerin responded to draw matters.

This is Kilanerin’s first season back in the top-flight since 2014, but they certainly exhibited no fear of their more established neighbours as the reigning county and Leinster intermediate champions opened with real purpose to lead 0-4 to 0-1 after 15 minutes, with Mark Boland and Matty Forde joining Devitt (2) on the scoresheet.

In fact, Kilanerin might have created a real cushion but for some poor finishing, while Emmett O’Toole drew gasps from the crowd after lashing an instinctive goaling effort narrowly wide.

Jonathan Bealin, a son of Castletown boss and former Dublin All-Ireland winner Paul’s, was the main reason why Castletown made their mark in the first-half, and four points without reply from the no.11 between the 19th and 28th minutes transformed matters by 0-5 to 0-4.

But Kilanerin refused to bow as Dean O’Toole and Conor Devitt had their men deservedly back in front at the break (0-6 to 0-5).

That gap extended to 0-8 to 0-5 after 36 minutes courtesy of Mark Boland and Dean O’Toole.

But things then got very dramatic.

Liam Coleman and Jonathan Bealin had it back to 0-8 to 0-7 before Kilanerin were hit for two goals within the space of a minute in the course of Castletown kicking 2-4 without reply to suddenly swing things in their favour by 2-9 to 0-8 on 47 minutes. Captain Jody O’Shaughnessy got on the end of a Robbie Brooks’ pass to drift in and bury the first goal on 42 minutes, before Liam Coleman latched onto a save from a Ben Brosnan strike to net the rebound, while Bealin (free) and Donnacha Holmes’ points completed the turnaround.

Anyone expecting Kilanerin to be shaken by that were soon proven wrong as Pat Forde’s men knuckled down once again to quickly peg back points through the manager’s son, substitute Seán, and the latter’s uncle Matty to close to within 2-9 to 0-10 on 49 minutes. And while Castletown appeared to have averted a goal when Seán Forde’s low drive was kept out, Emmett O’Toole, a cousin of young Forde, was in like a flash to make the most of the rebound and narrow the gap to two points after 52 minutes (2-9 to 1-10).

Kilanerin’s goal-scorer added to the drama with a pointed free, before Conor Devitt cut in from the right corner and seemed to have the Castletown goal under serious threat before having to settle for a point.

Then that winning opportunity from a free for Kilanerin didn’t work out deep into injury-time as the first derby of its kind since 2014 left onlookers departing full of compliments for both sides and intrigued about what’s to come from these two when the football championship resumes after the upcoming break for inter-county.

In the meantime, they both are boasting three points from a possible four after two rounds. Quite a satisfactory yield.

Kilanerin – Tom Hughes; Mark Gethings, Denis Jones, Rhys Owley; Mark Gethings, Gavin O’Toole, Pauric Hughes; Niall Breen, Niall Hughes; Dean O’Toole (0-2), Mark Boland (0-2), Conor Devitt (0-4); Emmett O’Toole (1-1, 0-1 free), Matty Forde (0-2), Bobby Hughes.

Subs: Seán Forde (0-1) for D Jones (inj., 19); Ben O’Connor for M Boland (54); Tommy Boland for B Hughes.

Castletown – Anthony Masterson; Peter Devine, Danny Gardiner, Frank Roche; Pierce Maxwell, Conor Carty, James Holmes; Stephen Maloney, Liam Coleman (1-1); Donnacha Holmes (0-1), Jonathan Bealin (0-7, 3 frees), Jody O’Shaughnessy (capt., 1-0); Brendan Halpin, Ben Brosnan, Robbie Brooks.

Subs: Killian Pierce for J Holmes (inj., 6); Richard Farrell for Maloney (38); Ross Bealin for Brooks (52); Andy Merrigan for Halpin (52).

Referee – James Owens (Kilrush).