Menlough still one of the leading contenders

By NOEL CARNEY Menlough .................... 2-11 Williamstown ............... 3-7 THIS was classic Championship fare with both teams showing heart, spirit and passion before Menlough finally emerged with a victory by the narrowest of margins in the second game of Saturday evening's Intermediate Football double-bill at Tuam Stadium.Om more than one occasion Menlough seemed to be pulling away but the lion-hearted Williamstown lads never threw in the towel and goals at crucial stages kept them in the hunt until Kevin Reilly's splendid late point snatched a win that leaves Cathal Jordan's team on top of the table with full points from their three games.For the gallant losers, this unlucky defeat puts them out of the competition for this year but they can take plenty of encouragement from this type of display. Clearly they are an improving outfit and they are well on the way to making themselves a force in the grade. For Menlough, despite being without five key players, this was a good result as they showed character and coolness when under pressure.They were well in command when leading 2-4 to 0-2 with over twenty minutes gone but Williamstown goals either side of the break by Kieran Flatley and Gary Kelly brought Aidan Potter's men right back into contention and they really put it up to Menlough when Kelly and David Brandley edged them ahead. Undaunted, the Green and Gold hit back with six points in a row and despite conceding another late goal to County minor Gary Kelly they held their nerve to win.The opening half was always going Menlough's way and they were 1-3 to 0-2 ahead after the first quarter. Hugh Keely snatched the goal after goalkeeper Gary Silke did well to push away a Niall Carty effort while Kevin Reilly, who was real handful throughout, landed a brace of points and big Rob Hughes converted a long-range free.Williamstown had taken the lead through hard-working wing-back Declan Shevlin and Gary Kelly drove over a placed ball but that was all they had to show for their efforts until Kelly got one from play and Stephen Jennings did likewise after fielding a fine David Brandley delivery. Then came Kieran Flatley's goal after Seán Keaveney and Gerard Waldron combined to create the opening.A number of good saves by Gary Silke kept the Menlough score down â€â€ mind you, the shot selection by the opposing forwards helped him and, in fact, his best stop was an alert dive, low to his right, to keep out a stray back-pass. With midfielders Thomas Flynn and Seán Keaveney now doing well in their absorbing battle with David Reilly and Robert Hughes the balance of play was gradually changing. Williamstown's 1-2 in the final minutes caught the leaders on the hop but they were still in front, 2-4 to 1-4, when play resumed.Two-goal Gary KellyGary Silke beat Kevin Reilly in a race to the ball in the opening seconds but when Williamstown counter-attacked some great work by Kieran Flatley around the middle of the field ended with the ball reaching Gary Kelly who blasted to the net. At 2-4 each it was very much 'game on' and Williamstown threw down the gauntlet with points by David Brandley and Gary Kelly who executed a delightful pick-up on the run before sensibly punching over.That certainly asked questions of Menlough but they replied with a superb spell of football. David Reilly and Mark Costello had swapped places, to the benefit of both, and the scores began to flow. Points by John Keely and Kevin Reilly brought them level; Tomás Mannion put them in front and a brace of scores from distance by that great servant Joey Glynn, after he had broken through from midfield, put them three up. An angled free by Robert Hughes made it 2-10 to 2-6 as time ran out but there was another kick left in Williamstown.Fighting hard for a breakthrough as excitement rose, they got it when a David Brandley delivery was won by Gary Kelly who blasted to the roof of the net. Within seconds they were in again and this time it was Paul Hevican who supplied the centre and Kelly pounced for an equalising point that dramatically tied the match, with five minutes remaining.It was going to be cruel for either side to lose but that unwanted distinction fell to Williamstown who were gutted when the irrepressible Kevin Reilly popped up to drive over the winning score from a difficult angle out on the left wing.The agony and ecstasy of sport were clearly demonstrated in that nail-biting finale with an exhilarating victory for one side and a heart-breaking defeat for another.Menlough: J. O'Neill; C. Lucey, B. Laheen, D. Costello, captain; C. O'Brien, M. Costello, J. Glynn (0-2); D. Reilly, R. Hughes (0-3, all frees); C. Jackson, T. Mannion (1-1), J. Keely (0-1); H. Keely (1-0), K. Reilly (0-4), N. Carty. Subs: F. Finnerty for Jackson, E. Costello for H. Keely. Williamstown: G. Silke; S. Silke, T. Comer, L. Hayes; D. Shevlin (0-1), S. Kenny, G. Waldron; T. Flynn, S. Keaveney; D. Lennon, D. Brandley (0-1), P. Hevican, captain; K. Flatley (1-0), S. Jennings (0-1), G. Kelly (2-4, 0-1 free). Subs., M. Connaughton, for Keaveney, inj., T. Nee, for Lennon.Referee: Teddy Kerin (Annaghdown).Herald Sport Man of the Match: Kevin Reilly (Menlough).