LEVEL at half time after facing the wind, Crusheen ran out very comfortable winners and the club picked up its first victory in a competitive game at adult level in 2017 on Easter Sunday.
The winners started brightly, with points from Raymond Hassett and Niall Kearney. Mark Flaherty kept Killanena in touch throughout the first half with unerring accuracy from frees and the sides were level after 13 minutes before Raymond Hassett applied the finishing touch to a Crusheen attack, scoring his sides first goal and making it 1-3 to 0-3. However by the break the sides were tied again at 1-5 to 0-8.
With the elements behind them in the second half the stage was set for a Crusheen victory and they were quite dominant from then on. Niall Kearney had two points within the first two minutes and the winners would go on to score nine in a row before there was any response from Killanena. While frees had been flying over the Crusheen crossbar in the first half a combination of better discipline and the strength of the wind meant placed balls were no longer a major source of scores for the visitors.
Killanena's goal came with 11 minutes remaining and left it at 1-14 to 1-8, but no comeback materialised. Robbie Malone had the second Crusheen goal with seven minutes to go and the home side ran out convincing winners.
Crusheen: David McMahon; Rory Halpin, Gavin O'Brien, Mark Perrill; Rory Halpin, Joe Meaney (0-2), Paul O'Donnell; Luke Hayes (0-1), Eddie Fogarty (0-1); Ethan O'Donnell (0-2), Niall Kearney (0-8 4F 1 65), Philip O'Donnell; Raymond Hassett (1-1), Patrick O'Grady (0-1), Robbie Malone (1-3).
Subs: Conor O'Brien for Colin Halpin, David Kearney for Raymond Hassett, Diarmuid Guinnane for Ethan O'Donnell, Enda O'Brien for Paul O'Donnell, Lee Canty for Patrick O'Grady.
