Downings downed as Aodh Ruadh open championship account
Intermediate Football Championship
27 September 2014
Aodh Ruadh 1-13
Downings 0-8
John Hughes reports from Father Tierney Park
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Aodh Ruadh got their intermediate championship off to a good start with a solid display to see off Downings in Father Tierney Park.
The visitors were heavily dependent on Lorcan Connor for scores and a defensive gameplan, but Ballyshannon's greater physicality, athleticism and accuracy proved decisive on the day.
David McGurrin opened Aodh Ruadh's account with a free in the second minute, David Dolan carressing over a second a minute later from a good turnover ball. Lorcan Connor hit Downings opener in the sixth minute from a routine free and levelled things up with another placed ball on ten minutes.
Kerry Ryan took his fortune in his hands to loft over a lovely point as the game entered the second quarter with Diarmaid McInerney adding another lovely long range effort a minute later to make it double scores once again, 0-4 to 0-2.
David McGurrin added two more frees before the score of the half came just before the break. Just as Downings were threatening to score Ciron Whoriskey read the play to perfection to intercept and sweep the ball out of defence, up the pitch and into the hands of Diarmaid McInerney who pumped over a fine point. That was followed by another excellent distance effort from Conor Patton to make the half time scores 0-8 to 0-2 in favour of homesters.
Anthony Boyle gave the Ernesiders the perfect start to the second half, fisting over pretty much from the throw-in. Shane McClafferty hit Downings first score from play just after that after and with three minutes gone in the half Lorcan Connor also added his first and only point from open play to put five between the sides.
Connor swung over another free shortly after and when Eamonn McGrath's point arrived for Aodh Ruadh in the 38th minute it came as important check of Downings building momentum.
Lorcan Connor pointed a free after 44 minutes to give the visitors a glimmer of hope, but Anthony Boyle showed great fire to point before Aodh Ruadh finally got the goal they had been threatening. Johnny Gallagher surged through the Downings cover and drove a rasping lob over Conor McBride's despairing grasp. 1-12 to 0-6 in favour of the Ernesiders and a mountain for Downings to climb.
Lorcan Connor notched another free with six left, but once again his effort was cancelled out by another powerful shot from Boyle. Connor slotted another free just before time to take his personal tally to seven, but the spoils belonged with Aodh Ruadh, running out 1-13 to 0-8 winners.
Best for Aodh Ruadh were Ciron Whoriskey with his driving runs from deep defence, Eamonn McGrath and Conor Patton who dominated at half back. Anthony Boyle and Diarmaid McInerney who showed well in attack and hit three points from play apiece. Meanwhile Lorcan Connor lead the line manfully for Downings.
| Vital Statistics |
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| Teams |
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Aodh Ruadh Peter Boyle; Ciron Whoriskey, Damien Cleary, Michael Dolan; Johnny Gallagher (1-0), Eamonn McGrath (0-1), Conor Patton (0-1); James O'Donnell, Kerry Ryan (0-1); Anthony Boyle (0-3), Ronan McGurrin, Ronan Drummond; Diarmaid McInerney (0-3), David Dolan (0-1), David McGurrin (0-3f). Subs: Colm Kelly for Michael Dolan 40m; Pauric Patton for Ronan McGurrin 45m; Barry Mulligan for Pauric Patton 50m; Niall Harley for Kerry Ryan 44m; Johnny Gethins for Anthony Boyle 56m. Yellow card: Eamonn McGrath 28m. Wides: 7. Short: 2. Frees: First half: 15. Second half: 8. Total: 23. Total kick outs won: 13. Own: 7. Rival: 6. |
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Downings Conor McBride; Seamus Gallagher, Gerard Coyle, Ben McBride; Ben McNutt, David Hay, Oisin Boyce; Sean McGinley, Shane Boyce; Andy Connor, Patrick McGroddy, Dale McFadden; Lorcan Connor (0-7, 6f), Shane McClafferty (0-1), James Lee McBride. Subs: Finnian McClafferty for Dale McFadden 22m; Colm Gallagher for Sean McGinley 43m; Conor Shiels for Ben McNutt 50m; Eric Roberts for Patrick McGroddy 58m. Yellow card: Conor Shiels 56m. Wides: 6. Short: 2. Frees: First half: 7. Second half: 6. Total: 13. Total kick outs won: 21. Own: 15. Rival: 6. |
| Referee: Michael McShane (Kilcar) |
Last modified: Thursday, 28 May 2020 at 10:46pm