Aodh Ruadh return to winning ways
Senior Division 3
23 July 2016
Aodh Ruadh 2-12
Naomh Bríd 1-8
John Hughes reports from Father Tierney Park
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Naomh Bríd proved a right handful at times, but by and large Aodh Ruadh were well worth this three goal victory in Father Tierney Park.
The visitors enjoyed their best periods of play over the first 30. However they could only add four points in the second half as Aodh Ruadh tightend up and when David McGurrin found the net at the three-quarter mark the writing was on the wall for the Páirc Naomh Bríd outfit.
The first half started with Aodh Ruadh dominating and running into a 1-3 lead before Naomh Bríd came into matters eventually tying the game before the hosts hit a brace before the break to go in with a slight edge.
Ballyshannon got off to the perfect start, Paddy Gillespie hared through the flat-footed Naomh Bríd cover before laying off to Seamus Kane who had the simple job of tucking home from a couple of metres out.
Diarmaid McInerney extended the lead with a free before a lovely left foot effort from Seamus Kane put five points in it.
David McGurrin was a dangerous presence as ever and he won another free after 16 minutes which McInerney again slipped over confidently to make it 1-3 to no score.
The Ballintra Laghey men finally hit their stride 17 minutes in when Darragh Brogan pointed after some neat build up work. A minute later Brogan swung the boot at another effort, it looked wide but the umpires marked it down as a point.
There was no arguing with Declan McCafferty's point, a superb effort with ten minutes left to the break.
Naomh Bríd levelled it up on 24 minutes when Dermot Langan did really well to win long ball before turning his man, driving at goal and slamming past Karl O'Brien.
Aodh Ruadh were struggling on the kick outs and Kerry Ryan came in to give heft in that sector with the fruit being borne towards the end of the half.
First there was a superb point from out on the right wing by David McGurrin.
That generated a fine answering point from Declan McCafferty, but the last two scores of the half went the way of the Ernesiders.
With two minutes left in the half there was a great hand in from David McGurrin to turn over possession before running through on goal and laying off to Seamus Kane. Kane's shot was good, but Pauric McDaid was out sharp and managed to deflect the ball over the bar.
Then a minute into first half added time Conor Patton was fouled allowing Diarmaid McInerney to arrow over his third free of the game.
The first score of the second half was well nursed between the post by Diarmaid McInerney who got his shot off at pace to give the Ernesiders a one goal cushion again.
Ballintra's response came two minutes later with Paul McGroary sending over a classy effort from the right wing to make it 1-7 to 1-5.
Cian Gallagher cut the deficit to a point after 36 minutes, but Aodh Ruadh were able to respond instantly after.
Seamus Kane had the jersey tugged on the edge of the area and Diarmaid McInerney made short work of the close range free.
David Dolan showed all his strength three minutes later to shake off a tackler and pump over a point to restore the one goal cushion.
Shane Walsh was able to cut into that lead with a close in free 41 minutes in.
However Aodh Ruadh hit back hard as the game moved into the final quarter. Colm Kelly made good progress from a short kick out before bringing Pauric Patton into the play. The ball was then worked slickly through the hands before David McGurrin finished a beautiful move with a crisply taken goal to make it 2-9 to 1-7 after 45 minutes.
Diarmaid McInerney extended the lead with a free from the left four minutes later.
A well-taken point from Shane Walsh brought the margin back to five points, but that was cancelled out when David McGurrin layed off to Niall Harley who powered over with six minutes to play.
Two minutes later Diarmaid McInerney added his seventh point the day and his sixth from placed ball to put three goals between the sides.
In the closing few moments Aodh Ruadh looked the more likely side to add to their tally, but that's how it finished, a handsome victory for the division three table-toppers as they returned to winning ways.
Best for Aodh Ruadh on the were Colm Kelly who anchored the defence brilliantly, Conor Patton, Damian Cleary and Pauric Patton got through an ocean of work in midfield while up front every single man in the attack gave a great account of themselves.
For Naomh Bríd Darragh Brogan was a dangerous up front while Cian Gallagher and Thomas Gallagher were a strong partnership in the middle third, but the visitors could only get their game together in patches.
| Vital Statistics |
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| Teams |
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Aodh Ruadh Karl O'Brien; Callum O'Halloran, Damien Cleary, Michael Ward; Jason Granaghan, Eamonn McGrath, Paddy Gillespie: Conor Patton, Damien Cleary; David McGurrin (1-1), Michael 'Sticky' Ward, Diarmaid McInerney (0-7, 6f); Seamus Kane (1-2), David Dolan (0-2), Pauric Patton. Subs: Kerry Ryan for Callum O'Halloran 26m; Niall Harley for Kerry Ryan 41m; Oisin Roper for Pauric Patton 56m; Ryan McKenna for Michael 'Sticky' Ward 61m. Wides: 4. Frees conceded: 16. Kickouts won: 9 Own: 6 Opposition: 3 |
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Naomh Bríd Pauric McDaid; Gary McCafferty, Sam Burgess, Gearoid Gallagher; Ross Gallagher, Sean Gormley, Pauric Brennan; Thomas Gallagher, Cian Gallagher (0-1); Shane Walsh (0-2, 1f), Paul McGroary (0-1), Darragh Brogan (0-2); Declan McCafferty (0-2), Dermot Langan (1-0), Alan Quinn. Subs: Clint Walsh for Sean Gormley; Eoin Haran for Pauric Brennan. Yellow cards: Gary McCafferty 14m; Cian Gallagher 25m. Wides: 6. Frees conceded: 29 Kickouts won: 14 Own: 11 Opposition: 3 |
| Referee: Michael McShane (Kilcar) |
Last modified: Monday, 1 June 2020 at 1:11pm