The Thirds dismiss the Dunfanaghy challenge
DIVISION 4 LEAGUE
St Michael's 1–05
Aodh Ruadh 1–12
Steven Perry reports.
The Aodh Ruadh Junior B team got their league campaign off to a successful start with a comprehensive seven point victory over St. Michael's. This was very much a game of two halves courtesy of the hurricane conditions in the wilds of Dunfanaghy.
Although slightly jetlagged, after a very brisk two hour journey courtesy of Seamie "Schumacher" McPhelim, Aodh Ruadh opened the scoring through Steven Perry.
Disaster then struck for the Ernesiders as a speculative effort from a St. Michael's forward crept into the net at Gary Walsh's near post, this turned out to be the Dunfanaghy men's only score of the first half as Aodh Ruadh took control of the game from then on.
Possibly the only person to be thankful of the gale force wind, was Joseph "Harry" Watson, the wind somehow managed to drag seven of his tame efforts over the bar, leaving the players, management and spectators (most of whom were goats and sheep) astonished.
Good work by the new midfield pairing of Kenny Vaughan and Christy Dolan helped Aodh Ruadh gain control of the game. Further points from wing forwards Aidan Warren and David McLoone stretched Aodh Ruadh's lead in the opening half. The half time score of St Michaels 0-01, Aodh Ruadh 0-12 was a fair reflection of the opening thirty minutes.
Although aided by a stiff second half breeze, St Michael's could not cut into the sizeable lead, spurning many opportunities for scores.
Indeed, the Ballyshannon men managed to increase their lead from a swift counter attack, Steven Perry and Watson involved in setting up Christy Dolan for a well taken goal.
After this Aodh Ruadh defended resolutely limiting St Michaels to a few frees, thanks by and large to Rory McGloin and Paul Connolly.
In fact Connolly spent the rest of the game mixing it with numerous Dunfanaghy men. At the final whistle Aodh Ruadh were comfortably in control and as the players made their way off the pitch Paul Connolly made a prompt departure amid fears for his safety. All in all, it was a good day's work from Aodh Ruadh with solid performances from Joseph Watson and David O'Donnell while their were impressive league debuts from Pauric Loughlin, David McLoone, Aidan Warren, Paul Connolly and Christy Dolan.
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| Teams |
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Aodh Ruadh (13 a-side) Gary Walsh, David O'Donnell, Rory McGloin, Daniel McManus, Gerry McManus, Paul Connolly, Kenny Vaughan, Christy Dolan, David McLoone, Pauric Loughlin, Aidan Warren, Joseph Watson, Steven Perry. Subs Gary Ward, John Hughes, Brian Gillespie, Raymie Granaghan. |
Report Filed: 13 April 2005