Late Lennon point earns Kilkerley second bite of the cherry against Clan na Gael

Shane Lennon

Shane Lennon

A stoppage time point from Shane Lennon earned Kilkerley Emmets a replay against Clan na Gael in yesterday’s Louth Intermediate Championship final in Haggardstown.

The Dundalk side had been leading by a point for the closing 12 minutes before former county star Lennon popped up in the 61st minute with the crucial equaliser to leave it 0-10 to 1-7 at full-time.

The sides will now meet again on Saturday at 6pm, once again in Haggardstown.

Both sides held the lead in the early stages with Billy Smith opening the scoring on five minutes before Lennon and James Fegan responded for Kilkerley.

Robert Curran then brought the sides level for the second time in the 11th minute at 0-2 apiece before Mark Newell hit the net for the Clans a minute later to put them in the ascendancy.

A subsequent point from Kevin Carroll then had the Dundalk side 1-3 to 0-2 ahead but two Lennon points, either side of another from Tadgh McEneaney had the deficit back to two by the break on a 1-4 to 0-5 scoreline.

Within five minutes of the restart Kilkerley were back on level terms courtesy of another point from Lennon and an equaliser from Cathal Bellew.

Conal McKeever then briefly fired the Clans ahead only for Lennon to equalise almost immediately.

Daniel McKeown then fired Kilkerley 0-9 to 1-5 in front in the 43rd minute but McKeever equalised three minutes later before Mark McGeown put the Clans back in front in the 48th minute.

That looked like it would be the winner for a long time but up popped Lennon in the first minute of stoppage time to earn Kilkerley a second bite at the cherry.

Scorers: Kilkerley Emmets – Shane Lennon (0-6), Cathal Bellew (0-1), James Fegan (0-1), Tadgh McEneaney (0-1), Daniel McKeown (0-1).

Clan na Gael – Mark Newell (1-0), Conal McKeever (0-3), Billy Smith (0-1), Robert Curran (0-1), Kevin Carroll (0-1), Mark McGeown (0-1).

Squad for Tommy McConville Memorial match is named

The painting of Tommy Mac, which so far has attracted a top bid of €310

The painting of Tommy Mac, which so far has attracted a top bid of €310

The 17-man squad of local players who will make up the Tommy McConville XI in tonight’s clash with Dundalk at Oriel Park has been named.

Included in the squad, which will be managed by Dermot Keely and Colm McConville, are a number of ex-Dundalk players including Mickey O’Kane, Johnny Lynch, Billy Smith, Kevin McArdle and David Ward.

The match is being held in memory of the late Tommy McConville, who passed away last year, with all proceeds raised going towards the North Louth Hospice.

Meanwhile, the portrait of Tommy by local artist Michael Duffy has now attracted a bid of €310. You can still bid for the painting by emailing mgduffy@iol.ie

Tonight’s game kicks-off at 7.45pm and admission is just €5.

The squad for the game is as follows:

  • Padraig Gorham
  • Robert Arthur
  • Chris Caulfield
  • Mickey O’Kane (captain)
  • Stephen Fisher
  • Johnny Lynch
  • Billy Smith
  • Alan Mc Cartney
  • Gary Clarke
  • Philip Duffy
  • Shane O’Callaghan
  • Jimmy Cooney
  • Gerard Mc Sorley
  • Kevin Mc Ardle
  • David Ward
  • Ciaran Sheelan
  • Stephen Hutchinson