Pearses 1-18 Kiltormer 1-14: This game, played in Kiltormer yesterday, was a close contest for long spells and a draw looked a possibility until the closing stages. A strong final quarter by an inexperienced Pearses lineup seen them grind out a four point win.
Kiltormer were first to score, netting a goal to open an early lead. Pearses levelled with the next three scores (Sweeney, Murphy and Gelston), but Diarmuid Claffey pushed Kiltormer ahead again. By the 20th minute Kiltormer had opened a four point lead, 1-5 to 0-4. Pearses however had he better of the remaining ten minutes, taking four of the five scores in this spell. Brian Sweeney and Gary Lally were making inroads in the Kiltormer defence. Sweeney was pulled down for a penalty, which was saved. Half-time: Kiltormer 1-6 Pearses 0-8.
Pearses hit the the first points of the second half and it was one of the best of the day, with Kerrill Hardiman the finisher at the end of a good team move. The teams shared the next six points evenly, Brian Sweeney and a long range Enda Cunniffe point for Pearses, while Claffey and Hopkins were on target for the home team. The sides were now locked 1-9 to 0-12, with 15 minutes to play.
Four more points seen the teams level again, 1-11 to 0-14. Then Gelston and Sweeney scores pushed Pearses two ahead for the first time. Following a Kiltormer response, substitute Ronan Skehill was on hand to finish to the Kiltormer net at the second attempt and open a four point Pearses lead 1-16 to 1-12. The final four points were shared between the sides, with a Kiltormer blazing over from a penalty.
Pearses: P O’Brien; R Carr, T Kenny, S Murray; A Bellew, K Hardiman (0-1), A Naughton; J Gelston (0-3), E Cunniffe (0-1); L Murphy (0-1), C Raftery, E Ward; G Lally, N Skehill (0-1), B Sweeney (0-11, 9f). Sub used: R Skehill (1-0). Ref: C Browne.