Aodh Ruadh sweep three clear at the top with win in Glen

Senior Division 2
14 May 2017
Naomh Columba 2-15
Aodh Ruadh 0-9
Páirc na nGael

Aodh Ruadh travelled to Glencolumcille on Sunday for what was marked down as their biggest game of the season to date. Naomh Columba and Aodh Ruadh have been setting the early pace in division two and an away win for Aodh Ruadh would be a priceless early season fillip towards the end of the first round of league games.

The game started with a bit of probing from both sides. Colm Kelly, Jason Granaghan, Damian Cleary and Philip Patton all found the range with early points, before Aodh Ruadh mounted a determined charge for the front. That got under way when Philip Patton laced in a great ball to Shane McGrath who fed across the face of goal for Darren Drummond to palm home. Naomh Columba struck back with a point, to make it 0-3 to 1-4, but James O'Donnell's men were beginning to ease away. Philip Patton raided for another point before a fisted score from Conor Patton. Then with another flowing, raking move, Aodh Ruadh cut through the Glencolumcille cover and hit the net with another palmed goal, this time it was Philip Patton applying the finish. Another point from the Dunmuckrim ace and one from Colm Kelly left the visitors well in command at the break, 2-8 to 0-4.

The Ernesiders picked up where the left off in the first half, with points from Shane McGrath, Jason Granaghan and Philip Patton (2) moving them out of reach at 2-12 to 0-5. The sides swapped scores, with Johnny Gallagher splitting the posts for Ballyshannon, before Karl O'Brien was called upon to produce an outstanding stop down low to his right 11 minutes from time to put the tin hat on a day to forget for Naomh Columba. Eamonn McGrath got through on goal late on, but his shot went over the bar and when Colm Kelly fisted over it was to seal an impressive 2-15 to 0-9 win as Aodh Ruadh's flawless start to the season continues.

Just one point of the Ernesiders haul came from placed ball. Colm Kelly with his three points and Philip Patton with 1-6 lead the way both on the score board an in the manner of their play, while Jason Granaghan, Conor Patton and Karl O'Brien all played big roles in the win.

Vital Statistics
Teams
Aodh Ruadh Karl O'Brien; Callum O'Halloran, Damien Cleary (0-1), Michael Ward; Jason Granaghan (0-2), Eamonn McGrath (0-1), Daniel Warnock; Conor Patton (0-1), David Dolan; Philip Patton (1-6, 1f); Colm Kelly (0-3), Nathan Boyle; David McGurrin, Shane McGrath, Seamus Kane. Subs: Darren Drummond (1-0) for Kane injd; Johnny Gallagher (0-1) for Ward; Diarmaid McInerney for Boyle.
Naomh Columba Shane O'Gara; Conor Carr, Michael Maguire, Ciaran McBrearty; Paul Doherty (0-1), Barry Carr, Pauric Ward (0-1); Paddy Byrne, Philip Doherty (0-1); Martin Cunningham, Ryan Gillespie (0-1), Kevin McNern; Pauric O'Neill, Ryan McNern, Pauric Cunningham (0-3, 2 fs). Subs: Gavin McGinley (0-2) for R Gillespie (injd.); Stephen Jones for Michael Maguire; Tadhg McGinley for O'Neill.
Referee: Connie Doherty (Naomh Conaill).

Last modified: Monday, 1 June 2020 at 12:13pm