Match Report

Maguire And McAvoy Star In First League Win Of The Season.

Date Filed: 09 May 2011

Aghaderg senior footballers secured their first league win of the season on Thursday night last when they defeated Aughlisnafin in Ballyvarley.

Manager Kieran Lennon had to call on a number of squad players as there were seven first team regulars missing due to work commitments and injuries.
 
Aghaderg got off to an excellent start as a speculative shot from the impressive Kieran Maguire deceived the visitors goalkeeper and finished in the back of the net. Aghaderg had the majority of the early possession but only Maguire and Devlin of the forward line threatened to turn this possession into scores.
Fitzsimmons from mid field finished off a good move with a fine point from thirty yards. The ‘Fin gradually eased themselves into the game and their full forward was proving a handful for the home defence as their midfield began to win the lions’s share of possession.
At the end of the first quarter Aghaderg led 1 -2 to 0-2.
The second point came from Devlin after good work by McGivern and Fitzsimmons.  The final two points of the half came from a Maguire 45' and Devlin when set up by a quick free from Caldwell.      

Half time score  Aghaderg 1-4 Aughlisnafin 0-2.

The visitors threatened to overhaul Aghaderg in the third quarter as they raised their tempo and scored three points without reply. Aghaderg did create a number of opportunities but often the final ball went astray. A fine solo run through the centre by mid fielder McDonald ended with him striking the post with the goalkeeper well beaten. It was the 22nd minute of the second half before Devlin scored a point just after he had shot badly wide with the goal at his mercy.
In the last five minutes the same player outstripped the defence and hit a pile driver against the crossbar. Speculation suggests if the hawkeye technology had been installed it would have proved that the ball did actually cross the line. The referee ruled otherwise. Maguire completed the scoring with two points , one an exquisite effort from thirty metres with the outside of the boot.
Aghaderg were fully deserving winners and with a bit of luck and more composure on the ball they should have put more scores on the board. Paul McGrath enjoyed a more relaxed evening than he had in the previous two matches and a highlight of the game was his distribution which often lifted the pressure and created an immediate counter attack. Lennon after a testing start dominated a series of full forwards. The half back line proved dominant throughout the match with Aaron McAvoy  proving to be the rock on which many ‘Fin attacks perished. Fitzsimmons was the more consistent of the midfield duo but the pace of McDonald was always a danger. In the forward line only Maguire and Devlin offered a scoring threat and were hardworking throughout. When introduced in the last ten minutes Chris McAvoy offered  mobility and vision. A good team effort and overall best performances from Kieran Maguire and Aaron McAvoy.

Team: Paul McGrath(Capt) Ciaran Connolly, Thomas Lennon,Darren McAlorum, Conor McAlorum, Aaron McAvoy, Paul McGivern, Stevie Fitzsimmons, (0-1)Shea McDonald, Tony Hegarty, Keran Maguire, (1- 3) Martin Cassidy, Paul Caldwell,  Conor McGivern, Eugene Devlin.(0-3)
Subs: Chris McAvoy, Jack Devlin, Conal Sands, Michael McGrath, John Molloy.

Next match –v- St Pauls in Holywood  Fri 7 15pm