Ernesiders dispose of Glenswilly in under 21 preliminary round
Under 21 Championship
15 July 2015
Aodh Ruadh 4-12
Glenswilly 2-6
John Hughes reports from Father Tierney Park
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Aodh Ruadh were deserved double-scores winners in this preliminary round clash, although at times they made life harder for themselves than it needed to be on a superb night for football.
The hosts eased to an early five point lead over the course of the first ten minutes. David McGurrin raced through on goal in the first minute, but his shot was put out for a 45 which Jamie McDonald stroked over with great technique.
McGurrin got off the mark two minutes later, landing a fine free from the right wing before tapping over another one front of the posts.
Six minutes in McGurrin collected a good ball in and drove in from the right and converted. Another superb 45 Jamie McDonald from Jamie McDonald left Aodh Ruadh coasting after ten minutes.
Oisin Crawford got Glenswilly off the mark after 12 minutes, slipping the ball over from the outside of the right for a nice score.
Then three minutes later a long ball in wasn't dealt with and went in of Anthony Ward's shoulder.
Ballyshannon stayed calm though and recycled the ball well, working it to Calum O'Halloran who rifled over from 13 metre line.
A minute later Glenswilly went into the lead for the first time. Another long ball in wasn't adequately dealt with and Kevin Marley met it with his fist to steer it past Jack Dolan.
Aodh Ruadh's couldn't have reacted better. Straight from the kick out they launched on a superb sweeping move up the pitch and Eddie Lynch drilled emphatically home.
The Ernesiders won the kick out and Shane McGrath drove in straight at the posts from the right and goaled beautifully
Glenswilly then had their best spell of the game as Aodh Ruadh took their foot off the gas for a period. Oisin Crawford hit two points in the 23rd minute before Kevin Marley sent over a 30 metre free two minutes later to cut the deficit to two points.
The hosts rallied before the break though. We two minutes to the interval David McGurrin had a shot blocked down but he was able to pop it over at the second time of asking.
Then a minute into added time Aodh Ruadh countered and worked the ball to Oisin Rooney who tapped over to leave the hosts with a four point cushion at half-time.
It wasn't until six minutes into the second half before the next score arrived, when it did it was a beautiful long range placed ball from Jamie McDonald. It was another ten minutes to the next score, Aodh Ruadh showed good patience to keep recycling the ball before Johnny Gethins hit a good incisive pass to David McGurrin who to then drill over and put two goals between the sides.
Glenswilly put on a spurt as the game entered its last ten minutes with Kevin Marley hitting over two frees to close back to within four points, but it was Aodh ruadh who were to put on the grandstand finish.
With five minutes left Oisin Rooney burst through and shot on goal only to see his shot come back off the crossbar. David McGurrin collected the rebound and fisted over.
Then Nathan Boyle pulled off a sensational block which turned possession and then sent over a spectacular point.
With three minutes left to play Shane McGrath bagged his second goal volleying home from close range. Then on the stroke of time David McGurrinn let a great ball down the line to Oisin Rooney in space who collected possession and smashes home Aodh Ruadh's fourth goal and put the cherry on top of a great performance for a side who only came together at the start of the week.
There were many excellent Aodh Ruadh performances for Nathan Boyle's strength and athleticism was well complemented by Eamonn McGrath and Eddie Lynch in the full back line. Darren Gethins was different class in midfield, pulling off a number of exceptional dispossessions. Jamie McDonald was a great point man and his place kicking was immaculate, while David McGurrin created plenty of havoc in the visitor's defence.
Meanwhile Oisin Crawford was at the heart of Glenswilly's best work all night.
| Vital Statistics |
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| Teams |
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Aodh Ruadh Jack Dolan; Calum O'Halloran (0-1), Ryan Patton, Eugene Drummond; Nathan Boyle (0-1), Eamonn McGrath, Eddie Lynch (1-0); Oisin Rooney (1-1), Darren Gethins; Ryan Granaghan, Johnny Gethins, Shane McGrath (2-0); Michael McNeely, Jamie McDonald (0-3, 2 45s, 1f), David McGurrin (0-6, 2f). Substitutes: Jason Granaghan for Ryan Patton HT; Ryan McKenna for Ryan Granaghan 41m; James Kelly 46m; Daniel Warnock for Jamie McDonald 55m. |
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Glenswilly Pauric Boyle; Conor O'Callaghan, Mark McAteer, Ciaran Hunter; Ryan Toner, Ryan Hunter, Conor Harkin; Ryan Diver, Ciaran Gibbons; Ryan McLoughlin, Oisin Crawford (0-3), Joe Flood; Cormac O'Callaghan, Anthony Ward (1-0), Kevin Marley (1-3, 3f). |
| Referee: Kevin McGinley (Naomh Columba). |
Last modified: Friday, 29 May 2020 at 3:22pm