“A few home truths had to be told” – Armagh legend Steven McDonnell on the half-time team talk that inspired Killeavy comeback 

Killeavy edged out Clan na Gael by two points to progress to the knockout stages of the Armagh SFC with the Lurgan side bowing out

On Sunday evening, things were looking decidedly bleak for Killeavy, on and off the pitch. As the dark clouds rolled in off Slieve Gullion, torrential rain lashed down on the players at Memorial Park as Killeavy and Clan na Gael fought for their Championship lives.

The hosts, lost the toss, but were handed the wind advantage in the first half with Clans opting to play into the teeth of a wind that was testing the durability of the umbrellas dotted around the ground.

At half-time, a goal from James Austin helped the Lurgan men tie the game at 1-1 to 0-4 with Killeavy missing several two-point efforts with the wind at their backs.

Steven McDonnell concedes he let his players know exactly what he thought about their first half showing.

“It was probably a wee bit different than last week (against Maghery). Last week we remained calm at half-time because we were creating opportunities and we were playing well last week in the first half,” said McDonnell.

“But tonight (Sunday) it was an extremely poor first half. So, listen, a few home truths had to be told and that’s what happened and thankfully the boys responded again.

“But we can’t keep doing it the hard way if you want to compete and go for a Championship. You have to, I suppose, put in 60 minutes of good solid football and it just wasn’t the case today.”

Whatever was said in the Killeavy changing room had the desired effect as the home team played much better against the wind after falling four points behind after back-to-back two-pointers from Shane McPartlan.

A cracking goal from Aron Magennis, who finished the game with 1-6 from play, proved the turning point as the league winners avoided an early exit with Clan na Gael, beaten finalists in 2023 and 2024, bowing out.

“At half-time, definitely the odds are stacked in our favour.” added McDonnell.

“We’ve got a group full of warriors in there and probably playing against the wind suits our boys a wee bit better than what it does with the wind. So, that was in our locker as well.

“We have seen the boys come out plenty of times this year in the second half against strong winds and put in good solid performances. We needed that today, but when it’s in the heat of the Championship, you’d be more fearful about it.

“It’s knockout football now and that’s the reality of it. The league counts for nothing in a club Championship and that’s it. It’s nice that these boys have experienced success at some level.

“But we just try to take each game as it comes and whoever our next competition, it’s going to be a tough game. The beauty is that we came out of it and we lived the fight another day.”

Killeavy, who finished in Group A behind Maghery, will find out their preliminary quarter-final opponents after Sunday’s rescheduled clash between Mullaghbawn and Cullyhanna with Culloville also qualifying in third place.