Sligo SHC Final: Kilcullen stars for Easkey

Sligo SHC Final

Easkey 2-25 Naomh Eoin 1-14

By Gavin Cawley at Sligo GAA Centre of Excellence

Andrew Kilcullen was the star of the show for Easkey, who made it six Sligo SHC titles in a row.

Easkey started the game brightly as they raced into a three point lead, all courtesy of Andrew Kilcullen.

Naomh Eoin did respond with Robert O’Kelly Lynch scoring a 65 and free for his side to reduce the score to single point.

The Sligo town based side took the lead when Matt Davey finished the opening goal of the match after a fine team move.

The sides were level again on 13 minutes for the first time in the match. They were level four times in opening half with battle between Robert O’Kelly-Lynch and Andrew Kilcullen as the sides would be level at the break 1-9 to 0-12.

After the restart Naomh Eoin would retake the lead with a free from O’Kelly-Lynch but Easkey were soon level courtesy of Cormac Vereker.

Paul O’Brien restored the lead for Naomh Eoin after 33 minutes as he pointed expertly.

Andrew Kilcullen showed his quality again, but Eanna Moylan ensured his side retook the lead.

Further points from Thomas Cawley and Kilcullen followed as Easkey took a three point lead.

Frees from Robert O’Kelly-Lynch kept his side in touch with 41 minutes played to reduce the deficit to just two points.

Easkey put took the pressure off them when they scored four points without reply to lead by six points with five minutes to play.

Robert O'Kelly-Lynch reduced the gap to five, but Kilcullen found the back of the net twice before the end to seal the deal.

Scorers for Easkey: Andrew Kilcullen 2-14 (5fs, 2 65s), Thomas Cawley 0-4, Finnian Cawley, Cormac Vereker 0-2 each, Eanna Moylan 0-1, Niall Kilcullen, Fionn Moylan 0-1 each

Scorers for Naomh Eoin: Robert O’Kelly Lynch 0-12 (6fs, 65), Matt Davey 1-1, Paul O’Brien 0-1 (f), Conor Golden 0-1.

Easkey: Adam Rolston; Oisin Moylan, James Weir, Shane Molloy; Eanna Moylan, Rory McHugh, Eoghan Rua McGowan; Ronan Molloy, Niall Kilcullen; Finnian Cawley, Thomas Cawley, Donall Hanley; Patrick Walsh, Andrew Kilcullen, Fionn Connolly

Subs: Cornac Vereker for Patrick Walsh ht; Fionn Moylan for Eanna Moylan 43; Daniel Rolston for Oisin Moylan 54; Alan O’Brien for Donall Hanley 59; Micheal McDonagh for Finnian Cawley 60

Naomh Eoin Thomas Hargadon; Conor Golden, Matt Davey, Kevin Bernie ; Darragh Cawley, Donal Keaveny, Paul O’Brien; Tony O’Kelly-Lynch, Robert O’Kelly-Lynch; Donnchadh O’Brien, Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch, Rory O’Conallain; Fergal O’Kelly-Lynch, Niall Feehily, Joe Carroll

Subs used Thomas Davis for Kevin Beirne 30; Kevin Beirne for Donal Keaveny 40; Liam O’Kelly -Lynch for Joe Carroll 53; Corey O’Dowd for Niall Feehily 60; Niall Campbell for Paul O’Brien 60

Referee: Michael Connolly