Kilcoo park refereeing intrigue to overcome Burren

Kilcoo's Conor Laverty with Danny Magill of Burren

Down SFC final: Kilcoo 2-12 Burren 0-9 

A cloud of controversy surrounded Sunday's Down SFC final before a ball was thrown in at Páirc Esler, with David Gough drafted in to referee what turned out to be Kilcoo's fifth successive county title, following a convincing 2-12 to 0-9 victory over Burren.

Drumgath's Paul Faloon was initially scheduled to referee the final but Kilcoo objected. While it's believed the objection was rejected, amidst doubts as to whether or not the final would be played on Sunday, it was first accounced that Meath's David Gough would step in, but at the 11th hour it was Brian Higgins from Annaclone who refereed the game.

Off the field drama aside, there was less on the field, with the champions showing more drive and ambition despite a promising start from Burren.

Off the field drama aside, there was less on the field, with the champions showing more drive and ambition despite a promising start from Burren.

Referee Brian Higgins with his sideline officials at half-time

The St Mary's side opened the scoring with a free from Liam Kerr in the fifth minute and their 18-year-old up-and-comer Darra Mussen scored a couple of beauties in the first half.

Kilcoo bided their time however, with patient play, before points from Eugene Branagan and a well-taken free from outside the '45 by goalkeeper Niall Kane made it 0-2 apiece midway through the half.

A devastating spell of four unanswered points from the Magpies followed however and a brace from Paul Devlin gave Kilcoo an 0-8 to 0-3 lead at the break.

Jim McCorry's men threw away a golden goal-scoring opportunity at the start of the second half, with Odhran Murdock setting up Donal O'Hare who opted to pass to Paddy McCarthy at the right-hand post. McCarthy inexplicably aimed over the bar but still missed, while Kilcoo's reply was to go straight up the field where Shealan Johnston's pointed effort hit the post and landed to Miceal Rooney who fired into the net.

Another fluffed goal chance from Burren and a super save by Kane from a Danny Magill effort kept Kilcoo's five-point lead intact and the Magpies kept the scoreboard ticking over to lead 1-12 to 0-8 as the five minutes stoppage time began. The clatter of seats accompanied the Burren supporters filing towards the exit before Devlin converted a penalty awarded after Conor Murphy fouled Ryan Johnston, to finish the scoring at 2-12 to 0-9.

Scorers for Kilcoo: P Devlin (1-4 , 1 pen, 2 frees), M Rooney (1-1), N Kane (0-2, 1 free, 1'45), A Morgan (0-1), R Johnston (0-1), A Branagan (0-1), E Branagan (0-1), S Johnston (0-1) 

Scorers for Burren: L Kerr (0-3, 2 frees), D Mussen (0-2), O Murdock (0-2), R McGrath (0-2) 

KILCOO: N Kane; A Branagan, R McEvoy, E Branagan; M Rooney, D Branagan, C Laverty; A Morgan, R Johnston; S Johnston, J Johnston, A Morgan; P Devlin, C Rooney, C Doherty 

Subs: S Og McCusker for J Johnston (8), M Hynes for E Branagan (33), J Devlin for S Johnston (48), C Rogers for C Rooney (56), N Rogers for Laverty (30+2) 

BURREN: K McKernan; R Magill, G McGovern, A McAvoy; P McCarthy, P Burns, P Fegan; O Murdock, C McGovern; D Mussen, R Cunningham, D Magill; D O'Hare 

Subs: R McGrath for C McGovern (24), S McArdle for McEntee (43), P Poland for McAvoy (43), S Fegan for R Cunningham (54), C Murphy for Mussen (56) 

Referee: David Gough (Meath)