Accuracy counts for Aodh Ruadh
Division 4 league final
29 June 2007
Aodh Ruadh 3-11
Four Masters 1-09
Peter Campbell reports from Pairc Naomh Brid.
The ability to take their scores allied to two great saves from Gary Walsh saw Aodh Ruadh lift the first adult silverware of 2007 in an entertaining Division 4 final in Pairc Naomh Brid on Friday evening.
Both sides had a good mixture of youth and experience and Four Masters were out of the traps flying with Henry Duignan pointing after ten seconds and adding another within a minute.
However, despite playing against the breeze, Aodh Ruadh began to gain control and points from Dermot Slevin (2) and Pauric Loughlin got them in front.
Paddy Ward equalised but three more scores from the lively Diarmuid McInerney (2) and Slevin had Aodh Ruadh in control.
Four Masters continued to miss good opportunities while at the other end little was missed. Nicky Sheerin pointed after a long old-time clearance from Brian Dorrian. And when Four Masters did create an opening, Benny Cassidy breaking clear to find Paddy Ward, Gary Walsh made a point blank save on 23 minutes.
Then just on the stroke of half-time Damien Cleary made a great break from midfield, found McInerney and he found the net to leave Aodh Ruadh in a comfort zone, 1-8 to 0-5, at the break.
Points from Paddy Ward and Henry Duignan to one from Pauric Loughlin had Four Masters within four points after twelve minutes of the second half.
But the game was decided in the minutes that followed. Diarmuid McInerney pointed before veteran full-forward Diarmuid Keon struck for two goals in two minutes, the first after Dermot Slevin put McInerney through and when it looked as if the chance was gone, Keon turned inside to slide the ball home. Two minutes later he won a free and fired home from close range.
Four Masters did respond with a soccer style goal from Sean Durcan and a free from Paddy Ward but they never looked like threatening the lead.
Before the end a player from both sides saw red, Aidan Cassidy of Four Masters and Matthew Thompson of Aodh Ruadh, in an unnecessary minor flare-up.
In injury time half-back Michael Dolan completed the scoring for the winners for whom Brian Dorrian, Ken Monaghan, Damian Cleary, Diarmuid Keon, Gary Walsh and Diarmuid McInerney were outstanding.
For Four Masters Paddy Gillespie, Henry Duignan, Benny Cassidy, Paddy Ward and substitute James McAnaw were best.
| Vital Statistics |
|---|
| Teams |
|
Aodh Ruadh Gary Walsh; David O’Donnell, Christy Dolan, Brian Dorrian; Michael Dolan, Ken Monaghan, David Dorrian; Matthew Thompson, Damian Cleary; Pauric Loughlin (0-2), Dermot Slevin (0-5,all frees), Alan Dorrian; Nicky Sheerin (0-1), Diarmuid Keon (2-0), Diarmuid McInerney (1-3,2f). Subsitutes used Johnny Dolan for A Dorrian; David Finnerty for D O’Donnell; Gerry McManus for Monaghan; David McLoone for B Dorrian. |
|
Four Masters Brendan Mundy; Paddy Gillespie, Paul McHugh, Declan Maye; Dermot McHugh, Aidan Cassidy, Stephen Walsh; Henry Duignan (0-3), James McMullin; Benny Cassidy, Rory McGowan, John Gallagher (0-1,f); Paddy Ward (0-5,4f), Sean Durcan (1-0), Alan Kelly. Subsitutes used Emlyn Hughes for Gallagher; Kevin Molloy for McGowan; James McAnaw for Kelly; Ryan Early for Molloy. |
| Referee |
| Brendan Griffin (Naomh Brid). |
Report Filed: 10 July 2007
Article reproduced kind courtesy of the Donegal Democrat