ACFL Division One.
St Marys 0-14. Roger Casements 1-07.
With good playing conditions at Pairc na nGael many neutrals might have given the nod to the visitors in this game as both are at opposite ends of the Division One League table.
As the game progressed the home team ensured that they were going to be in the game and indeed stay in the game as they played with strength and verve and no lack of skill to take the two valuable points from the joint table toppers. The sizeable crowd was well entertained with a game that was full of endeavour from both teams.
The game was fast and furious and Casements showed at times why they are at the top table in this League. The Aghagallon lads held a slender advantage after trading scores in the opening period and this lead they were to hold for a large part of the remainder of the game.
St Marys were in front by two points 0-6 to 0-04 at the short whistle. A major score in the game for Casement’s was a goal they scored right from the throw-in after halftime when they won possession and cut through the St Marys rear-guard to score the goal which put them two points up. St Marys responded positively at this crucial stage and went on to keep their noses in front for the duration.
With Casements attacking the clubhouse end the game was nip and tuck for the first half with both teams scoring two points each in the opening period. For St Marys, Johnny Hannon and a Gareth Magee free. Oisin Doherty hit a great score from an acute angle for the visitors to open their account and another point from a Paddy Kelly free left the score two points each.
The general play from both teams was very much of an attacking style and the ball was being transferred from defence to attack with great intent. St Marys continued to attack and hit another two great scores before the break coming from Johnny Hannon cutting in from the left to sweep over and two frees from Gareth Magee. With scores nip and tuck Ronan Kelly hit a great point from play and St Marys showing their attacking prowess went in two points up at the break, 0-06 to 0-04 to the home team.
The throw-in for the second half fell to Casements and with a number of runners working the ball through the hands the move ended in a goal in a crowded square to put the visitors two points up. Michael Hagan possibly getting the decisive strike on the ball.
This was a decisive score in the context of the game as St Marys held a slender lead for most of the first half. How would the greens respond, this became evident as they upped the effort with confidence and some great teamwork and they reeled in the scores to level by the 45th minute with a great score from Johnny Hannon from distance and another free from Gareth Magee.
This momentum continued for the home team as they kept the scoreboard ticking over and they took the lead through two quick-fire points from Pauric Magennis and Hugh Hannon, these scores coming after some great transition play by St Marys using the ball and space well to fire over.
St Marys continued to work hard in their defensive duties and reduced chances to a minimum, Casements continued to show how dangerous they can be with some great attacking movement in the forward lines and it was nip and tuck until the 50th minute.
Casements picked off a number of scores including another Ronan Kelly effort and a Paddy Kelly free which kept their team in touch. Casements hit a number of wides thereafter and St Marys capitalised on their scoring opportunities in the closing stages. St Marys gradually stretched the lead in the last ten minutes of the game with Gareth Magee from play and Enda Mc Cartan also from play.
St Marys managed their game from defence to attack to close the game out. To leave four points at the end, St Marys Gareth Magee finished with a free after a foul on full forward Enda Mallon.
A very valuable two League points for the home team, the game was fast and furious at times with little time to dwell on the ball. St Marys stuck to their task and the teamwork ethic was evident in this display right throughout the team and this gives the St Marys lads some areas to work on for more tough games to follow. Casements showed their mettle at different periods of the game and no doubt they will also reflect on this game also looking ahead.
St Marys; Luke Mulholland, Kieran Hamill, Aidan Mulholland, Ciaran Magennis, Jamie Lamont, Pat Branagan, Jack Lenehan, Daryl Mc Alernon, Pauric Magennis, Enda Mc Cartan, Johnny Hannon, Steven Devlin, Enda Mallon, Gareth Magee.