OB Construction Antrim Intermediate Football Championship, Group Two
Gort na Mona 0-03-1-14 Sarsfields
Kevin Herron reports from Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh
Sarsfields sit in pole position in Group Two of the Intermediate Football Championship after registering their second win in the space of two days with a comfortable 1-14-0-03 win over Gort na Mona at Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh on Friday evening.
The Stewartstown outfit were comfortable winners over Davitt’s in their opening encounter on Wednesday evening, whilst Gort na Mona were beaten by favourites All Saint’s on the road and they were hoping to get off the mark against their Belfast rivals.
It was the Paddies who started positively and led through an angled Joe McNally point inside of two minutes.
The visitors forced a turnover and a trip on Christopher Loughran allowed Gary Lennon to drop the resulting free over to double the lead, with Loughran then turning provider for Brian Healy to extend it.
McNally clipped over his second point before the midway point in the opening half and it took Gort na Mona until the 18th minute to respond. Christopher Carson was felled and Tarlach Enright converted the resulting free.
Sarsfields restored their four-point advantage through a Caolan McDonnell point after Gort na Mona came within inches of finding the net a matter of seconds earlier.
The game’s only goal arrived on the 24th minute, Brian Healy laid the ball off to Gary Lennon and he slipped in Philip McPeake to steer to the net and make it 1-05-0-01 at the interval.
The second period began very much like the first with Sarsfields very much in the ascendancy.
Gary Lennon shot over an early point and then Christopher Loughran laid the ball to Sam Walsh to open his account for the evening.
There was no sign of let-up as Loughran guided a shot over, Brian Healy dropped over a ’45’ and substitute Fionn Jemfrey made an instant impact.
Lennon arguably produced the score of the evening with an outstanding effort from the outside of the foot that sailed over, and Conor Glenholmes would fist over a further score prior to departing.
The hosts were without a score since their solitary point in the 18th minute but doubled their tally in the closing stages.
Goalkeeper Jack Ireland took it upon himself to lead an attack that progressed and after playing a one-two, Ireland directed a shot over the bar.
Desi McClean flashed a further shot over the bar 60-seconds later, though in truth the back-to-back scores were little more than scant consolation for the Gorts.
Sarsfields finished with successive scores of their own, Pearse Murray took a fine pass from Philip McPeake and shot inside of the near post with McPeake then dropping over the final score from range to wrap up a comfortable win for the Paddies and ensure they occupy top spot in the Group at this early juncture.
GORT NA MONA: J Ireland (0-01), J Connolly, M Savage, P Cournane, S Campbell, C Donnelly, T Scannell, G McKenna, C Carson, M McMullan, T Enright (0-01f), J Thompson, N Melaney, D McClean (0-01), T McGreevy. Subs: C Beck for M McMullan (37), P Mulvenna for N Melaney (37), B Burns for T Scannell (40).
SARSFIELDS: M Brady, P Murray (0-01), C Laverty, M McPolin, C McDonnell (0-01), L Mitchell, C Loughran (0-01), C Murray, J McNally (0-02), D Smyth, P McPeake (1-01), S Walsh (0-01), C Glenholmes (0-01), G Lennon (0-03), B Healy (0-02, 0-01f). Subs: N McAlea for D Smyth (36), F Jemfrey (0-01) for S Walsh (41), D Gorman for C McDonnell (52), N Ferris for C Glenholmes (52), K Carson for C Laverty (55).
REFEREE: Piarais McCaffrey (ST GALLS)
CLICK HERE FOR JOE CARBERRY’S PICS FROM THE GAME
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