Match Report

Maguire’s magnificent seven.

Date Filed: 15 June 2010

Aghaderg continued their improved run of form when they welcomed Bright to Ballyvarley  on Friday last  for the first series of the second half of the league. Bright had won comfortably in the first match of the season but Aghaderg were optimistic as they  have shown major improvement in the last three matches since a number of injured players have returned and the new team management have put  their stamp on proceedings.
Aghaderg won much of the early possession but were unable to make it count on the scoreboard. Bright showed their potential as they picked up two smart points on the counter attack to take an early lead. By the tenth minute the reds were level when Kieran Maguire converted two frees as the Bright defence had to resort to fouling the quicksilver full forward line of Maguire, Doyle and  Devlin. James McGrath with a point from play gave the home team a lead which they would not relinquish. Eugene Devlin then scored  a superb point as he cut in from the left wing and while in full flight chipped the ball over from an acute angle. Jack Devlin with two points from play , Maguire with three and Eugene with his second completed the scoring to leave the half time score

Aghaderg 0 -10   Bright 0-4.

The healthy looking scoreboard was the result of an excellent team effort as the defence superbly marshaled by Cathal McGrath at centrehalf  forced the Bright forwards to shoot from distance. McGivern was showing much improved form as he recovers from injury, while Lennon and Fitzpatrick were also prominent. James McGrath and Fitzimons won the lion’s share of the ball at midfield with a magnificent display of high fielding from Paul McGrath’s well placed kick outs.
The second half commenced with Bright having a short spell in the ascendancy and again getting the first score of the half. Maguire with a point from a free steadied the nerves and then Eugene Maguire scored a trademark goal as he gained possession on the right, turned his defender, carried the ball twenty metres and delivered an unstoppable shot from close in. This gave the reds a comfortable cushion and the confidence to move the ball around. The visitors continued to play with effort and enthusiasm and picked up two points but the final nail was hammered in the Bright coffin when Stevie Fitzimons got on the end of a free kick and fisted the ball to the back of the net. The final ten minutes saw some neat football from both sides as Aghaderg cruised to their second home win in a row. Maguire completed the scoring from the home team while Bright scored a goal from a rather fortuitous penalty with the last kick of the game.

Final score Aghaderg 2 -13 Bright 1 -9

Paul McGrath, Martin Fitzpatrick, Thomas Lennon, Conor Mcalorum, Paul McGivern, Cathal McGrath, Aaron McAvoy(capt) James McGrath (0-1) , Stevie Fitzimons(1-0) Shay McDonald, Stevie Comiskey, Kieran Maguire(0-7) Jack Devlin(0-2) Eugene Devlin(1-2) Keelin Doyle. Subs Paul Colgan, Tony Hegarty, Conor McGivern, Conal Sands, Darren McAlorum.