Match Report

Goals win matches.

Date Filed: 27 May 2010

Aghaderg senior footballers continued with their league campaign on Friday evening last when they welcomed Aughlisnafin to Ballyvarley. Conditions were perfect for the match as manager Kieran Lennon was again forced to juggle his pack as McAlinden and Doyle were not available from the previous match but he was able to welcome back Comiskey and O’Malley from long term injuries.
The first quarter was highlighted by a mixture of some good interpassing moves by the home team which often broke down due to a misplaced pass or poor handling at crucial stages. Aughlisnafin, playing with the advantage of a brisk wind were playing a more direct style of play and were able to pick off their scores from far out. After fifteen minutes Aghaderg led by four points to three as Eugene Devlin had converted three frees and taken a point with a fiercely struck shot which flew inches over the bar. Fitzimons and Cathal McGrath were shading the mid field exchanges but disaster struck when a flowing movement from defence which had committed a number of defenders forward was intercepted and after two quick passes the ball was struck firmly into the home net. Aghaderg responded quickly and Devlin was set up with a clear cut opportunity on goal. He struck the ball firmly, beating the goalkeeper but only to see the ball strike the crossbar and rebound to safety. The game continued at a good pace as both teams exchanged points until half time. Cathal McGrath 0-2 and Tony Hegarty 0-1 scored for the home team to leave the half time score Aghaderg 0- 7 Aughlisnafin 1-7.

Aghaderg were optimistic that they would be able to rein in the visitors as they had the advantage of the brisk wind in the second half. However Aughlisnafin were to prove more resilient and astute as they changed their tactics against the breeze. They played a short passing game and worked hard at creating space for their more able forwards. The home defence were often left chasing shadows as their inability to close down the well organized ‘Fin attack saw the visitors stretch their lead to four in spite of two points from Fitzimons and Devlin. Conor Lavery and Jack Devlin were introduced but again a goal at a crucial stage left the home team seven points behind with ten minutes to go. The last ten minutes were to see Aghaderg pushing forward in an all out effort to save something from a match which had promised so much. James McGrath became more influential moving forward, Devlin scored an exquisite point from far out on the left. Cathal McGrath scored two points and Devlin another from a free but time ran out and the visitors were relieved to hear the final whistle and return home with two well deserved league points. .
Next match –v- Ballykinler

Team. Paul McGrath, Martin Fitzpatrick, James McGrath, Ciaran Connolly, Shay McDonald, Aaron McAvoy(capt) Stevie Fitzimons(0-1), Cathal McGrath(0-4) Neill O’Malley, Stevie Comiskey, Conor Mcgivern, Tony Hegarty(0-1), Mark Mcgrath, Eugene Devlin(0-7) Subs. Paul Colgan, Conor Lavery, Jamie Murray, Jack Devlin,Conal Sands.