All-County Reserve Football Championship Group 1
Lámh Dhearg 3-07 – 1-07 Gort na Mona
By Kevin Herron
Despite playing over three quarters of the game with 14-men, Gort na Mona held the advantage for the majority – though couldn’t see the job through and fell to a 3-07 – 1-07 defeat against Lámh Dhearg at Hannahstown on Friday evening.
The Turf Lodge outfit controlled the early running’s with Niall Melaney swinging over an early point, he converted a free shortly after and a fisted Tim Scannell point moved their side 0-03 to the good.
But the visitors were reduced to 14-men as Gavin McKenna received his marching orders after almost a quarter of an hour.
Niall Melaney extended the lead however with a terrifically crafted point to make it three for the opening half.
Lámh Dhearg had plenty of possession in the opening thirty minutes but failed to turn the possession into scores- eventually getting off the mark through Daniel Murray point before the break- though they trailed 0-04-0-01.
Francis Dugan shot over an early second half point to half the deficit and the hosts edged in front for the first time early in the second period.
It was a wonderful goal that was patiently worked and then executed by Ryan Diamond with the hosts keeping the ball and working gaps before Diamond gained possession, a couple of quick passes saw Diamond advance and pull the trigger to give the hosts a 1-02-0-05 lead.
Ryan Diamond’s goal gave Lámh Dhearg the lead for the first time
It was one that was short-lived however as Gort na Mona immediately hit back with a goal of their own at the other end through Tim Scannell who shot into an empty net after some lax defending.
Daniel Murray restored parity and a Francis Dugan gave his side the lead for the second time in proceedings.
Further scores from Cormac Hannan and Carl Maxwell opened up a gap, but Niall Melaney converted a free and Ciaran Donnelly swung one over to make it one-point game approaching the second half water-break.
Gort na Mona almost reclaimed the lead through Tim Scannell who rounded Daniel Hartley but his effort crashed off the bar.
It was a chance he would rue as a long ball forward released Francis Dugan who swept the ball home.
It was game over with five minutes to play when a mistake from a side-line ball resulted in the Lámhs advancing forward at pace and Shane McKenna found the net to give his side a 3-07-1-07 win.