The Swinford Senior team continue their good start after a hard-fought win in Gilmartin Park on a wet and windy Sunday in May.

With a strong wind blowing from one end of the pitch to the other, it was always going to be a game of who could contend with the elements best. Kiltimagh had the wind in the first half and used it well, going 4 points up to no score in the first 15 minutes. Swinford rallied and replied with 2 but Kiltimagh added 2 more before half time to make it 0-6 to 0-2 points in Kiltimagh’s favour.

The second half, Tomas Morley came on to try and contend with the towering presence of Joe Kelly in Swinford’s midfield and this turned into a pivoting battle. Swinford got the first point of the second half, with a sweet strike from 40 yards from Jack McDonnell. It set the tone for the second half and Swinford set about the task of reeling in their neighbours.

It took another great display from Swinford’s full forward, Colin Dempsey, who scored 2 fantastic long-range frees from the hand and one excellent point from play to help Swinford draw level at 0-7 to 0-7. Some neat play from John Carney and Darren Campbell helped Swinford take the lead. From there, Swinford pulled away, using the conditions to their advantage, stretching Kiltimagh with each play.

With the game running into added time, Swinford were leading 0-10 to 0-7. Kiltimagh had one last chance to obtain a draw with the last play of the game. From a free, they managed to drop the ball in the box where somehow it managed to fall into the back of the Swinford net. However, to the home team’s dismay, the referee blew up for a square ball.

Swinford and Kiltimagh will play again in 2 weeks, this time in Round 1 of the Mayo Intermediate Championship, and on this display there will be very little between them. It took some excellent performances from Swinford players like Barry McShea, Paul McNicholas, Colin Dempsey and in particular, Damien Geraghty in Swinford’s goal who kept Swinford in the game with 3 super saves and it’s likely similar performances all round the pitch will be needed in a couple of weeks time.

Full time:
Kiltimagh 0-07
Swinford 0-10

Swinford Team:
Damien Geraghty, Jason Carney, Barry McShea, Aiden McLoughlin, Stephen Henry, Paul McDonagh, Paul McNicholas, Joe Kelly, Kevin Doyle, Jack McDonnell, Sean Kavanagh, Tom Horkan, Darren Campbell, Colin Dempsey, John Carney Subs: Tom Kavanagh, Peirce Walsh and Kevin Barry