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Reserves tough it out for victory against Ardara

Senior Reserve Division 2
3 June 2017
Aodh Ruadh 2-13
Ardara 1-9
David McLoone reports from Father Tierney Park

The reserves fielded a strong team on Saturday afternoon and needed every bit of it to see off a determined Ardara challenge.

Michael ‘Sticky’ Ward took to the field and had himself a field day in the first half scoring 1-4. Diarmuid McInerney registered the opening score before Sticky Ward added 1-2, the goal palmed in after a great run by Oisin Roper who beat three men along the way. Eddie Lynch then pointed following his powerful direct run from midfield. The visitors added their second point after ten minutes, but Aodh Ruadh went on a scoring blitz putting six unanswered points on the board, another couple by Sticky, three in a row from Shane Dorrian who was in fine form, and one more from McInerney. Ardara finished the half well, getting two points whilst also seeing two goal chances spurned, the first blocked on the line and the second a pile driver which was closed down well by Karl O’Brien, to leave the half-time score at 1-10 to 0-4.

Ardara clawed another back immediately from the restart, but Anthony Coughlin put the game out of reach with a goal and a point early in the half. The goal came from a Kerry Ryan 45 which dropped short and only parried by the visiting goalkeeper. The ball fell nicely to Coughlin who made no mistake from close range. Ardara weren’t for taking a hiding and kept plugging away, managing to keep Aodh Ruadh scoreless for 15 minutes whilst replying with 1-3 as the home defence were exposed a number of times. McInerney settled matters at the end with two fine points.

Aodh Ruadh held out to win 2-13 to 1-9 as the visitors ended the match with 14 men after their midfielder saw red for a very late tackle on Cian McGloin.

In the proverbial game of two halves, it was the forwards who shone in the first half, Sticky Ward, McInerney and Shane Dorrian simply unstoppable. The second half was all about the half backs and midfield. Kerry Ryan and Eddie Lynch powering throughout, whilst Thomas Anderson and Packie McGrath had a great games in the back line.

Vital Statistics
Teams
Aodh Ruadh
Karl O’Brien; Christopher Goan, Packie McGrath, Thomas Anderson; Cáelán Drummond, Gary Carty, Mickey McNeely; Kerry Ryan, Eddie Lynch (0-1); Oisin Roper, Dermot Slevin, Diarmuid McInerney (0-4, 1f); Michael Ward, Anthony Coughlin (1-1), Shane Dorrian (0-4).
Subs: Cian McGloin for Gary Garty HT, Martin Larkin for Shane Dorrian; Ryan Granaghan for Mickey McNeely; Conal Sweeny for Packie McGrath; Aaron Clarke, David McLoone, Raymie Granaghan.

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