Down SFC: Kilcoo beat Burren in Pairc Esler final after referee dispute

Kilcoo won a fifth straight Down club football title after defeating Burren 2-12 to 0-9 in a final which witnessed a referee controversy before the game.

Kilcoo failed in an appeal to the DRA against the appointment of Paul Faloon for the decider but eventually Brian Higgins took charge at Pairc Esler.

It was a comfortable win for Kilcoo, who led 0-8 to 0-3 at the break.

Second-half goals from Miceal Rooney and Paul Devlin sealed their 11th Down triumph in the last 12 years.

Despite Kilcoo's appeal being rejected, Faloon was set to be replaced by Meath official David Gough but he later became unavailable, leading to concerns the game would be delayed.

Higgins stepped in to referee in Newry with the Down county board saying it would make a statement on the issue later on Sunday or on Monday.

Kilcoo appealed against the appointment of Paul Faloon to referee the Newry decider

It was a final which saw Burren made a bright start before last year''s All-Ireland champions seized control.

Liam Kerr and Darra Mussen fired over to give Burren an early lead before the Magpies clicked into gear to reel off six points without reply.

Shealan Johnston, keeper Niall Kane, Aaron Morgan, Ryan Johnston, Aaron Brannigan and Eugene Brannigan were on target for Kilcoo before a Mussen point halted their charge.

Kilcoo forward Paul Devlin split the posts twice to leave Karl Lacey's side in control at the interval but they had a let-off just after the restart.

Donal O'Hare was presented with a goal chance but he opted to pass across the Kilcoo goal, only to send the ball out of play.

Kerr reduced the gap to four before Kilcoo hit the opening goal on 39 minutes with Shealan Johnston's strike hitting the posts and falling to Rooney, who rifled low and hard into the net.

Burren fought back with scores from Kerr and Ronan McGrath and they were denied a goal when Kane made an excellent save to keep out Danny Magill's shot.

The impressive Odhran Murdock added another Burren point but they never threatened a comeback as Kilcoo responded with Kane and Rooney slipping over points.

Burren's Odhran Murdock leaps highest to collect the collect in Sunday's final against Kilcoo

Murdock and McGrath sent over Burren points but they were sandwiched by a double from Devlin, who finished the match in style.

Higgins awarded Kilcoo a penalty in added time for a foul on Ryan Johnston and Devlin stepped up to strike the ball into the top corner of the net.

WEEKEND CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

SUNDAY

Antrim SHC Final

Cushendall 1-20 Loughgiel 1-19

Down SFC Final

Kilcoo 2-12 Burren 0-9

Fermanagh SFC semi-final

Enniskillen Gaels 0-9 Erne Gaels 1-10

Armagh Hurling Final

Keady 0-11 Middletown 1-15

Derry SFC semi-final

Glen 1-5 Slaughtneil 0-6

SATURDAY

Tyrone SFC semi-final

Errigal Ciaran 2-19 Ardboe 0-7

Derry SFC semi-final

Newbridge 0-2 Magherafelt 0-12

Fermanagh SFC semi-final

Derrygonnelly 5-8 Kinawley 3-10

FRIDAY

Tyrone SFC semi-final

Trillick 2-11 Dungannon Clarkes 1-9