Aodh Ruadh come from behind to clinch victory in Portsalon

Senior Division 3
28 March 2016
Fanad Gaels 1-11
Aodh Ruadh 3-14
Portsalon.

Aodh Ruadh opened the sixth attempt in their ongoing quest for promotion from division three with an encouraging away win in Portsalon. They did it the hard way though, coming from a point behind at half time to emerge nine point victors on a scoreline of 3-14 to 1-11.

The opening stages were evenly contested, David McGurrin (2) and David Dolan keeping the visitors level with Fanad Gaels at 0-3 apiece.

Aodh Ruadh had an opportunity to go into an early lead after Dolan was hauled down in the penalty area, but McInerney's spot kick was saved. A free from Dolan edged the Ernesiders in front, but that was quickly clawed back, as was Niall Murray's point from play.

Fanad then took the lead with a 50 metre free from Séimí Friel, but Seanus Kane was able to tie it up once more. The last say of the half went to Friel though and he sent the hosts in leading by the minimum.

Ballyshannon took the game by the scruff of the neck at the start of the new half. A fine effort from the left peg of Kane 45 metres out laid down an early marker as Aodh Ruadh leveled matters once more.

A close range free McInerney put Aodh Ruadh back in front before a passage of slick counter-attacking football was capped with a clinical Philip Patton score.

There were 37 minutes on the clock when David Dolan put a goal between the sides, and it was about to get better again for Peter Gallagher and James O'Donnell's men.

It came from smart football from David McGurrin, who read the keeper's pass and intercepted before slipping home the game's first goal.

Fanad's midfielder hit the Portsalon side's first score of the half, but any hopes of a fight back took a serious blow when their wing forward got the line for a second yellow with 15 minutes still to play.

Aodh Ruadh piled on the pressure now and Johnny Gethins was unlucky to see his rasper coming back off the framework, but Damien Cleary was on hand to arrow over and restore the two goal advantage.

Then McInerney had another shot on goal, but Gaels keeper did really well to palm over for a point

The Fanad netminder could only hold the fort for so long and after some silky build-up play Seamus Kane picked out Philip Patton with a pass across goal which the young attacker neatly tucked home.

It got worse for the hosts moments later when Aodh Ruadh won the kick out and David McGurrin rocketed home a real screamer from well out to make it 3-13 to 0-8.

Ballyshannon took the foot off the gas after that and the Gaels outscored Aodh Ruadh 1-3 to a Philip Patton point in the last eight minutes, but it was a case of too little to late.

Vital Statistics
Teams
Aodh Ruadh Peter Boyle (0-1); Calum O'Halloran, Damien Cleary (0-1), Michael Ward; Johnny Gethins, Colm Kelly, Niall Murray (0-1); Niall Harley, Conor Patton; Diarmaid McInerney, Seamus Kane (0-2), Oisin Roper; Philip Patton (1-2), David Dolan (0-2), David McGurrin (2-2). Subs used: JJ Cassidy for Colm Kelly; Paddy Gillespie for Seamus Kane.

Last modified: Monday, 1 June 2020 at 8:44pm