OB CONSTRUCTION IHC Group 1
Davitt’s 1-5 Gort na Mona 5-19
Both sides went into this game with something still to play for. A massive win for Davitt’s would have brought about a three way tie between themselves, today’s opponents and St. Teresa’s. Anything less than defeat would earn Gort na Mona a place in the play-offs with group winners St. James Aldergrove but it was clear from early in the game that there was only going to be one winner.
Padraig McParland gave the hosts early hope when he pointed in the opening minute but this would be the only time Davitt’s would lead as the Turf Lodge side began to exert their authority.
They looked to have taken the lead when Matthew McConnell climbed to direct a high delivery to the net but the goal was ruled out for a square ball infringement.
Tarlach Enright levelled the contest from a free and as their strong running game began to open up space, McConnell made no mistake at the second time of asking as he finished a good move to the Davitt’s net.
(4) Padraig Cournane turns away after scoring Gort na Mona’s second goal and above (Featured Image) Hat Trick hero, Matthew McConnell celebrates
Tarlach Enright pointed a free off the upright and towering youngster, McConnell climbed to fist over after a Dessie McClean delivery hung invitingly into his path.
Matthew McConnell was proving a real handful for the Davitt’s defence and he added another fine point in the 12th minute with Tarlach Enright following suite before McConnell fisted to the net for his second goal and the ‘Gort’s were 10 ahead with only 18 minutes gone.
It got worse for the home side when they lost a player through a Red card in the 21st minute and a minute later, Michael Savage came forward to kick a good point for the Mona Bye-Pass side.
Substitute Anthony Hargan halted the one-way traffic as he fired over at the other end but it provided only temporary respite as Enright and Daire Keenan replied with points at the other end to leave it 2-8 to 0-2 in favour of the visitors at the hallway stage.
Davitt’s threatened early in the second half but Aaron Slane was wide from a free and Michael Savage pointed at the other end before Paul McLaughlin fired to the net for a Davitt’s goal with 7 minutes gone.
Padraig McParland was doing all in his power to get the home side going and his work rate was phenomenal but he lacked support and it was Gort na Mona who continued to dictate the pace.
Ruairi O’Scollain fisted over and McConnell fired over from an audacious half volley as more and more space opened up in the Davitt’s defence.
Another flowing move from deep saw Padraig Cournane get forward to finish to the home net for Gort na Mona’s third goal in ther 9th minute and Matthew McConnell and Michael Savage added points as the one-way traffic continued.
Man of the match, McConnell added a fourth major after winning his own ball and Jack Ireland fisted over as the visitors gave an exhibition of score taking before Sean Linberg replied with a point for Davitt’s in a rare excursion into enemy territory.
Davitt’s Padraig McParland comes under pressure from Gort na Mona’s Christopher Carson
The superb McConnell was unplayable as he found the net again for his fourth of the evening in the 23d minute and Gort na Mona then had a player Red carded but it made no difference to their dominance.
Sean Linberg brought the Davitt’s total to 1-4 with a good point but again Gort na Mona responded with O’Scollain, McConnell and Michael Brady hitting 3 on the bounce before Oskar Deevy Persson concluded the scoring with a consolation point for the hosts.
This win sees Gort na Mona finish second to St. James Aldergrove in Group 1 and on this form they should be taken seriously in the play-off while St. Enda’s topped Group 2 after their win over Ahoghill at Hightown today, the Cloney men finished second with both sides already having qualified for the knockout stages.
Michael Davitt’s: 1 Aaron Slane, 2 Conor Toner, 3 Nathan Maginn, 4 Rory Ireland, 5 Sean Linberg, 6 Caoimhin Rainey, 7 Jack Scally, 8 Michael Connolly, 9 Oskar Deevy Persson, 10 Paul McLaughlin, 11 Sean O’Neill, 12 Brady Maguire, 13 Matthew Nugent, 14 Padraig McParland, 15 Caomhan Slane, 25 Anthony Hargan
Gort na Mona: 1 Anton Farelly, 2 Darren Cahill, 4 Padraig Cournane, 5 Tirnan Morton, 6 Michael Savage, 7 Eogan Corrigan, 8 Jack Ireland, 9 Christopher Carson, 10 Caoinhin Beck, 11 Tarlach Enright, 13 Daire Keenan, 14 Dessie McClean, 15 Matthew McConnell, 19 Niall DE Brun, 20 Ruairi O’Scollain
Subs: 3 Ciaran Donnelly, 17 Ryan Donnelly, 23 David McKeown, 22 Michael Brady
Referee: Paul Burns (Naomh Comhghall)
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