Kilmallock earn vital victory in relegation six pointer

Kilmallock earned a massive victory over Prospect in the fight against the drop on Sunday morning. The game finished 3-2 with both sides holding the lead during the game.

It was the county outfit who came racing out of the blocks with former Limerick FC man Barry Sheedy at the centre of the action. Sheedy was supplied by an Anthony Punch pass at the edge of the box before shooting wide.

In the opening stages, Kilmallock’s midfield trio of Jason Heffernan, Paul Moloney and Tommy Heffernan were causing all sorts of problems for Prospect’s two defensive midfielders in Adrian Healy and Phillip Naughton.

Their numerical advantage was paying dividends with precise short passing and triangles being the main feature of a tidy first half display with both full-backs also heavily involved. Jason Heffernan’s reverse pass found the overlapping Anthony Punch inside the area but Darren Glasheen in the Prospect goal was equal to his effort.

Shortly afterwards, the goal the home side deserved arrived when a one-two between Killian Hayes and Ben Quirke on the left allowed the latter to cross for Tommy Heffernan to tap home from 6 yards.

The visitors reacted superbly and equalised when Derek Hanlon’s through ball was controlled by Trevor Hogan who raced clear before placing his effort beyond the advancing Declan Hayes. The long angled pass was proving effective for the visitors with Hogan causing panic in the defence along with lively winger James Cleary.

With ten minutes of the first half remaining, Prospect had strong claims for a penalty waved away as Trevor Hogan appeared to be fouled by Benni Burke in the box. Goalscorer Tommy Heffernan spurned two great chances to put the home side ahead as the first half drew to a close.

There was plenty of drama in the second period as the away team took an early lead as Naughton headed an opposition goal-kick back to where it came from and Hogan raced onto the ball before sliding the ball beyond Hayes.

However, things were about to get worse for Anthony McCormack’s side as Naughton was shown a second yellow for a foul on goalkeeper Hayes and Prospect were reduced to ten men.

With the man advantage, Kilmallock began to dominate possession like they had been in the first half. The left hand side was the best avenue for the home side all day and it was Quirke once again who provided the equalising goal when his cross was spilled by Darren Glasheen into the path of the onrushing Barry Sheedy who tapped home.

Niall O’Riordan’s team re-gained the lead with ten minutes remaining when Sheedy expertly picked out the run of Jack Barry who slotted past Glasheen to give Kilmallock a crucial lead goal.

Prospect brought on veteran player/manager Anthony McCormack in search for an equaliser but were unable to create a clear-cut chance as they are now bottom and two points from safety. Kilmallock are now out of the relegation zone following the win.

Kilmallock: Declan Hayes, Anthony Punch (Anthony Barrett), Benni Burke, John Heffernan, Ben Quirke, Jason Heffernan, Tommy Heffernan, Paul Moloney, Killian Hayes (Paul Doona), Jack Barry, Barry Sheedy

Prospect Priory: Darren Glasheen, Glen Kelly, Dean Glasheen, Cyril Maher (Anthony McCormack), Ian Maher, Phillip Naughton, Adrian Healy, James Cleary, Ian Clancy, Derek Hanlon, Trevor Hogan