Intermediate Football Championship (Group One) Round One
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass 2-15 Patrick Sarsfield’s 0-12
Moneyglass opened their championship account on a positive mode recording a nine point win over the men from Sarsfield’s in a game which was most watchable in the opening period in a close fought affair that included finishing of quality with the home side led throughout by the excellence of Tyler Cassidy.
The Paddies had secured victory over St Ergnat’s on their last visit to Moneyglass to secure the league title and with a place secured in the top division next term probably arrived in a positive mode but there was to be no slip up in this one for the home side.
Moneyglass, no doubt well prepared for this one were quicker out of the start traps, with a Callum Duffin point earning early advantage and settling post game nerves. But the Paddies with Conor Moley leading by example in the centre were quick to settle and a couple of superbly struck two pointers from Brian Healey had them in front 0-05 to 0-04 just into the second quarter.
Mid-fielder Moley, having led the Sarsfields charge in the opening quarter, was forced out of action with a leg injury just into the second quarter, a bad blow for the Stewartstown Road men. His abscence was soon evident as the home side took control, standing firm in the defensive and with Aiden Mc Erlean adding a couple of two pointers and Tyler Cassidy, Tiernan Mc Cormick Colm Duffin, Paul Duffin, Colm Duffin raising white flags apiece the home side enjoyed advantage 0-11 to 0-08 at the end of the opening period.
The first half, having seen a treble of ‘two pointers’ despatched, was still much in its infancy without the services of the stricken Conor Moley when Garry Lennon despatched a long range effort between the St Ergnats posts to reduce the deficit, but the home side were quick to make reply as Seanaghan Duffin, well served by precision based Tyler Cassidy, planted the leather in the visitors’ net to put the home side four clear on 1-11 to 0-10, and they looked in control.
A point from the hard grafting Colm Duffin saw the home side increase their advantage and minutes later the Paddies were to be reduced in number when their medfielder received a red card which left them with a mountain to climb.
With Moneyglass leading the way on 1-13 to 0-10 thing got even better when they increased their advantage further via points from Sean Boyd and Paul Duffin to move eight clear.
However the home side were not allowed to down tools and take it easy on route to the finish line as the Paddies kept battling, with the excellent Brian Healy seeking to inspire by example.
But the home side had the upper hand and a superb Tyler Cassidy delivery was finished to the back of the net neatly by a Sean Boyd finish to put the icing on the cake of a notable performance and the perfect start to their championship campaign. The final whistle saw scenes of great celebration for the men in blue as they wrapped it all up on a scoreline of 2-15 to 0-11.
Sarsfields, having secured the league title with a victory secured at Moneyglass, now face an uphill struggle but as they have shown in their successful legue campaign they are more than capaple of turning things around. They face another tough task on Sunday next when they take on St Enda’s at the Bear Pit, a St Enda’s side who started their campaign with win against St Patrick’s Lisburn at Hightown last night.
Moneyglass having lost out in their battle to claim the league title have announce firm intention on travelling forward on the championship trail and impressed in this one with their youthful squad. They now have a two week lay-off before facing Naomh Eanna in Hightown on Sunday 17th August.
Referee – Conall Roberts
Moneyglass
Jimmy Mc Laughlin, Matthew Mullan, Zac Mc Caughan, James Mc Cormick, Tiernan Mc Cormick (0-02), Paul Duffin (0-02), Conleth Mc Cann, Kevin Mc Cann (0-01), Seanaghan (1-02) Duffin, Sean Boyd (1-03), Adam Mc Erlain (1 0 2*), Conor O’ Kane, Conor Boyd, Colm Duffin (0-02), Tyler Cassidy (0-02)
Subs
Callum Murray
Feargal Duffin
Callum Oisin Hamill
Sarsfields
Michael Brady, Liam Mitchell, Pearse Murray, Philip Mc Peake, Caolan Mc Donnell, Christopher Loughran, Conor Moley (0-01), Cormac Murray, Gerry Lennon (0-02)Thomas Skillen (0-02), Conor Laverty, Brian Healey (0- 7*) , Michael Brady, Caolan Mc Donnell, Pearse Murray
