Match Report

Excellent Home Win For Aghaderg.

Date Filed: 05 September 2011

Aghaderg senior footballers welcomed St Michaels to Ballyvarley on Friday night last in their last league game before the crucial championship match –v- Bright which is due on Sunday 11th in Leitrim at 3 – 30. There was also the thought of unfinished business as St Michaels had inflicted a heavy defeat on them in the first round of the league. The team showed five changes from the team narrowly defeated by Ballykinler last week as Fitzpatrick, Kennedy, J McGrath, Cassidy, and Devlin were available for selection.
The game commenced with the home team shading the midfield exchanges. A McAvoy opened the scoring with a point from a pass by C McGrath but St Michaels replied with a similar score to leave the teams tied after six minutes. Aghaderg were dominating proceedings as their short passing and support play in defence and midfield give them a number of opportunities to play a long direct ball into the full forward line where Devlin and PJ Jordan always looked threatening. Devlin had a great chance of a goal but fired wide from a good position but soon opened his account with his first point after cutting in from the right. A point from Jordan and two points from centre forward McAvoy, one after a flowing four man move and the second after an incisive pass from Fitzsimmons opened up a four point gap. St Michaels recorded their second point, which was followed by a point from Chris McAvoy. The visitors were gaining a foothold at midfield and threatening a major comeback when two significant incidents occurred in a two minute spell. First goalkeeper McGrath saved bravely at the feet of the visitors full forward when left exposed and Neil Sweeney the influential St Michaels mid fielder was red carded. Devlin scored two excellent points from play and Jordan was set up for a tap in goal after a penetrating run from Hegarty. 

Half time score Aghaderg 1 -8  St Michaels 0 -4.

Aghaderg were in the driving seat as during the first half they had played some of their best football of the year and had the advantage of an extra man. However as is often the case the team with the extra player is unable to take advantage of the situation. The second half had much in common with the Donegal- Dublin all Ireland semi final of the previous week as Aghaderg packed their defence and showed little ambition to carry the game to the opposition. McAvoy who had scored three points from play and led the line with enthusiasm in the first half played as a fourth half back. The forward line lacked penetration with only Eugene Devlin offering any threat in the second half. He scored two points from play one an exquisite strike off the outside of the right foot from approx. thirty metres. The home team outscored St Michaels by six points to four in a disappointing second half with two points from centre half Cathal McGrath and one each from mid fielder James McGrath and a point from a free by half back McGivern. 
The defence was solid throughout and often used Paul McGrath as an extra defender where he often linked the play from the back, the half back line was the strongest line throughout coping well with their defensive duties and often effectively supporting the counter attack. The midfield duo shaded their contest with Fitzsimmons most impressive particularly in the first half as he won a lot of primary possession and linked effectively with centre forward McAvoy and with full forwards Devlin and Jordan.  Devlin showed enthusiasm and effort , winning a lot of possession and scoring five points from play. Jordan with a goal and a point had a most effective first half as had McAvoy with three points.
A number of substitutions were used in the final quarter. McShane contributed most but  the introduction of the promising Maguire  after a long absence due to injury may prove significant for the championship match –v- Bright at Leitrim on Sunday at 3 30. 

Final score Aghaderg 1 -14 St Michaels 0 -8.

Team. Paul McGrath McGrath,(Capt) Martin Fitzpatrick, Thomas Lennon, Sean Kennedy, Paul McGivern(0-1F), Cathal McGrath(0-2), Conor McAlorum,  James McGrath(0-1), Stephen Fitzimons, Martin Cassidy, Aaron McAvoy(0-3), Tony Hegarty, Chris McAvoy(0-1), P J (1-1)Eugene Devlin(0-5)
 Subs. K Maguire, R McShane, P Colgan, P O’Neill, M McGrath, C McGivern, P Caldwell.

Aghaderg will travel in confident mood as they have won two of their last three matches and only lost narrowly to Ballykinler.