ACFL Division 1
Gort na Mona 0-9 Aghagallon 2-15
An excellent St. Mary’s Aghagallon travelled to Turf Lodge tonight and recorded an impressive victory over a Gort na Mona side who had been going well this season. The Gorts had recorded three wins to date on their return to division 1, all on their own ground and were hoping to continue that run against an Aghagallon side who have been slow out of the starting blocks this year.
Having collected their first win of the season in the last outing Aghagallon travelled to Gort na Mona on Monday night’s rearranged fixture knowing that they would come up against a well organised side that had already impressed on their return to the top flight.
The visitors opted to play down the slope in the first half but it was Gort na Mona who raised the first white flag when Patrick McCaffery got his first score of the evening from a free in the second minute.
Aghagallon had plenty of the ball but were frustrated by the home defence and had to wait until the ninth minute when Gareth Magee scored a free after Caolan Farr had been fouled. Ruairi McCann, who was to have a major influence on proceedings, doubled the lead after a quick free by Paul Mulholland deep in his own half, the big midfielder collected the ball and strode purposefully through the home challenges before he got his first score of the night with a great solo effort. Paul Mulholland then turned scorer after Pat Brannagan made a lot of ground along the left hand side.
Ruairi Loughran who had a major influence for Aghagallon, moves clear of Danan Boyd, Gort na Mona
This settled the visitors and at this stage they controlled possession. Niall McShane was unlucky when his shot came off the upright and across the goal area and wide, Adam Loughran had a lot of attention early in the game but with the visitor’s dominance he started to come into his own and scored a great point from about 40 metres, he then had a goal chance but his effort was deflected wide for a 45 and the Aghagllon ‘keeper Luke Mulholland stepped up but sliced his effort wide.
Gort na Mona were struggling to break through with any chances of their own but with 25 minutes on the clock Shane Scullion may have been thinking of a shot at goal but a great tackle by Seanan Donnelly thwarted him and the ball broke to Conor Browning who scored the host’s second point. Ruairi McCann replied with one of his own and then Ruairi Loughran made a great run to the left and collected the ball before getting his first of the night. Some controversy followed with Gort na Mona’s next point as the referee went with the Gort na Mona umpire and awarded a point when the visitors appealed that it was wide. Caolan Farr then got his first of the night and with half time approaching the visitors seemed to go all out for goals to increase their lead for the second half when the slope would favour the hosts. Ruairi Loughran was unlucky when his first shot smashed low off the post and when it returned to him his second effort was well saved by Thomas McCaffery and when Niall McShane collected the rebound his effort was well blocked by the Gort na Mona defence who had rallied to assist their net minder.
Half time Gort na Mona 0:03 St Mary’s 0:07
With only a four point deficit from the first half Gort na Mona must have fancied their chances and right from the throw in for the second half they shot, however Padraig Mc Hugh sent it wide.
Garreth Magee, Aghagallon turns away from Conor Connolly, Gort na Mona
Aghagallon got the first score of the second half when Niall McShane finished a great team passing move by splitting the posts from distance.
The two quick points from the hosts looked to be bringing them back into the game, Patrick McCaffery got his second with a free from 20 meters and then Conor Browning scored from play.
With the margin down to three points the game was in the balance however the next score was a major for Aghagallon – again Ruairi Mc Cann used his strength to shrug off challenges and fed the ball to Caolan Farr who had the vision to see Eunan Walsh sprinting in from the far side demanding the ball, the pass was perfect, and, fully recovered from his injury for Antrim on Saturday evening Walsh was able to use his pace to side step the keeper and steer it home.
Browning replied with a point but that was pegged back when Farr got his second of the evening after Adam Loughran worked hard and won the ball back in midfield.
Young Loughran then got the visitors second goal. McCann had a shot that smashed off the bar but was collected by Farr who fed Loughran who coolly side footed past the advancing keeper.
Points were then traded when David McErlean got his name on the score sheet and Eunan Walsh followed his goal with a point.
Gort na Mona’s Conor Browning reacts first to the breaking ball
Ruairi McCann was leading the G’s, working tirelessly and was rewarded with another point as the pace and team work of the visitors started to open up the home defence.
The home side threw everything at the visitors at this stage with Gort na Mona ‘keeper Mc Caffery moving up field to score a point from play but as they pressed forward they continued to look vulnerable on the counter attack.
Ruairi Loughran picked off a nice point from play and Adam Loughran then scored a great individual point, running from the half way line he was pushed wide but the young talent kept belief in his ability and hugged the side line then the goal line and slotted over from a tight angle.
Gort na Mona keeper McCaffery doubled his account from a forty five but it was very much a consolation score at this stage and with time running out Aghagallon were looking to manage the game and were content to pass the ball around. This frustrated the hosts who were forced to give away fouls in their efforts to win back possession resulting in a lot of scrappy play which suited the visitors.
Ruairi McCann got another point when he collected a ball from the corner and turned inside to run along the goal line and shoot from a tight angle and the scoring was wrapped up by Ruairi Loughran from a free.
Gort na Mona: T McCaffery (0:02), C Connolly, T McGoran, P Mulvenna, Christopher Browning, D Mc Erlean (0:01), M Rea, P Conlon, C Magee, A Mc Donagh, P McCaffery (0:04), Conor Browning (0:02), S Scullion, D Boyd, P McHugh
Aghagallon: L Mulholland, J Lamont, A Mulholland, S Donnelly, E Walsh (1:01) J Leneghan, P Mulholland (0:01) N Mc Shane (0:01), R Mc Cann (0:04), C Brady, A Loughran (1:02), C Farr (0:02) R Loughran (0:03) D Magee (0:01) P Brannagan
Referee: Paul Hughes: (O’Donnell’s)
