Homefit  ACFL Div 1. Wed 27.04.22

Gort na Mona 2-07 , St Marys Aghagallon 1-08

St Marys travelled to Gort na Mona on the back of a tough draw with St Brigid’s and the home team waiting for a first win. As it turned out the Gorts won the game and their first points. In a game where both teams were guilty of coughing the ball up easily at times and at different phases of the game it was the Gorts defensive set up that won out on the day as they managed to get back in numbers and shut out the Aghagallon attack.

When in attack the home team playing downhill the first half were able to pick of scores more easily. Gort hit two early points to settle them into the game and whilst St Marys had a fair share of good attacking possession they could not make the space to take on the scores. Two majors in the first half from space created in front of the keeper were crucial in the game. Johnny Hannon hit a free for St Marys towards the end of the half. Half time score 2-03 to 0-1.

Once again St Marys found themselves with it all to do second half. They did start really well, creating more turnovers themselves, minded the ball better and their defence was more cohesive. St Marys went on a scoring spree hitting 1-05 without reply. Keeping the ball better in the scoring third St Marys worked the ball well and this scoring spree drew them level going into the last period of the game. Then Eunan Walsh hit a major with a great finish after rounding his man and planting the ball in the top corner. The same player backed this up with a point from a great mark. Two point from frees from Hugh Hannon on the right, followed by a point from play by Mark Mc Afee put the St Marys lads into the driving seat. Oisin Lenehan at midfield hit a point point from play to further lift the confidence of St Marys to leave it all square. The Gorts were rocking, with about 10 minutes left on the clock and it seemed that Aghagallon would push on for an away win.

In the last period of the game St Marys seemed to revert to type and began spilling the ball and giving it away again. Gort na Mona capitalised on these mistakes and pushed forward. They were able to score off a free and a final score from play saw them run out two point winners, a valuable commodity at this stage of the League.

St Marys; Damian O’ Hagan, Kieran Hamill, Aidan Mulholland, Shane Devlin, Ciaran Maginnis, Jack Lenehan, Daryl Mc Alernon, Oisin Lenehan, Pauric Maginnis, Johnny Hannon, Niall Mc Shane, Mark Mc Afee, Hugh Hannon, Eunan Walsh, Enda McCartan. Subs used; Johnny Hannon and Pauric Gowdy.