Honours even between Aodh Ruadh and Killybegs
Under 16 Football league
11 April 2012
Killybegs 2-5
Aodh Ruadh 2-5
Fintra
Aodh Ruadh travelled to Fintra for their toughest test of the season. Both sides went into the game on the back of undefeated runs through the league and so this game was set up to be a huge test of both teams. Aodh Ruadh settled the quicker of the two sides and got the first score. The homesters replied, but Ballyshannon chalked up another to edge back into the lead. Shortly after a Shane McGrath effort on goal was foot blocked and the referee called for a penalty. Philip Patton, who was to have a fine game, coolly stood up and tucked away the penalty to make it 1-2 to 0-1. The sides then swapped brace of points before half time to leave it 1-4 to 0-4 in favour of the Ernesiders at the break. Killybegs came out with all guns blazing in the second half and hit a series of scores to go into a one point lead. With the game looking like it was slipping away Aodh Ruadh rallied and grabbed a point before Oisín Roper was pulled down in the area and Ballyshannon won their second penalty of the game. Once again Philip Patton stood up, once again he drilled his shot into the net to put the visitors in the driving seat. Moments later though Killybegs got a penalty of their own, the award was perhaps a little harsh, but Kevin Warnock crowned a magnificent performance with a brilliant diving save from the spot kick. That save was magnificently captured by the camera work Cathal Maguire. Killybegs persisted going for goal and eventually it came, five minutes from time, to level the game for the last time.
The game lived up to its high expectations and both sides battled every inch of the way. It was a fine team performance from Aodh Ruadh and boys stood up well to the thorough test Killybegs put them through. Eddie Lynch was superb in his fire-fighting capacity, while Philip Patton with his icy nerve and eye for a score, lead the attack well. However the defence was particularly good. Indeed it is worth noting that over the course of the six league games Aodh Ruadh's average concession per game has been a miserly 0-7.16. Full back Matthew Maguire was a rock and had possibly his best game in an Aodh Ruadh shirt this year, while Kevin Warnock in nets was simply outstanding, he made a number of fine stops throughout the game, but his penalty save was a real rallying cry going into the closing stages. The draw means that Aodh Ruadh top the league on score difference and go on to face fourth placed Naomh Conaill in the league semi-finals. That game takes place in Dunkineely as part of a double header on Monday 23rd April. Killybegs play Ardara at 5.30pm while the Aodh Ruadh Naomh Conaill game throws in at 7pm.
Last modified: Monday, 1 June 2020 at 1:10pm