MC GUIGAN BUILDERS INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
Aughnamullen 0-7, Drumhowan 0-5.
It was Aughnamullen’s ability to generate a greater degree of urgency at vital times that saw them open their championship campaign with a victory in this low scoring and at times scrappy encounter that was played in Inniskeen on Saturday evening last. Two points without reply in the opening minutes of the final quarter saw Aughnamullen overturn a one point half-time deficit to take a two points lead and they held out in a tight finish with an exchange of points leaving two in it at the final whistle. This was a game where poor finishing saw Aughnamullen register a total of seven wides overall, some form good positions, with Drumhowan also somewhat guilty in finishing stakes as well hitting six over the hour. Sam Dooney, Mark Meegan and Brian McConnell along with Damian Hamilton worked hard in the Aughnamullen defence with Lee Conlon and sean Sheridan, until he had to retire injured, beavering away in midfield. Up front Aughnamullen always looked to have more options with Mark McArdle and Christopher Keenan in particular causing the Drumhowan defence a series of problems but overall they will know that they will have to improve if they are to feature in the latter stages. Drumhowan enjoyed their best period in this match in the first half with two late points in stoppage time giving them a one point lead at the break although they were struggling in attack with David Millar and Colm Lambe posing their main threat. Dermot McDermott did all one man could in midfield but overall they struggled to convert some hard-won possession into scores. Aughnamullen opened the scoring with a point from a free by Edmund McArdle in the fourth minute and they might well have extended their lead two minutes later but Stephen Hamilton was denied by the crossbar. Sean Sheridan put Aughnamullen two points in front in the 8th minute with a good score from play and then Edmund McArdle had another great chance to extend their lead when he was clean through on goal but blasted wide. Drumhowan opened their account with a point by Colm Lambe in the 17th minute, Kieran McElroy the provider and two minutes later they were level when Kieran Mooney pointed as an off the ball scuffle developed between Colm Lambe and Lauren Ward who were both issued with yellow cards after the score had been registered. Aughnamullen retook the lead with a point by Christopher Keenan in the 23rd minute and they could well have been further in front but were off target from two attempts, one from a free before Drumhowan levelled in stoppage time through David Millar. Further Drumhowan pressure saw David Millar fouled and Colm Lambe converting the free three minutes into stoppage time to give Drumhowan a one point lead at the break, Drumhowan 0-4, Aughnamullen 0-3.
Drumhowan could well have extended their lead in the opening minutes of the second-half but an effort from Colm Lambe came back off the upright and another effort from David Millar was just off target. That set the tone for the entire third quarter with neither side able to register a score and in fact 17 minutes of the second-half had elapsed before Aughnamullen registered with a point from a free by Lauren Ward. From the kick out Aughnamullen won possession with Edmund McArdle going on a strong run before parting to Mark McArdle who restored Aughnamullen to the lead. Drumhowan now had a chance to equalise but substitute Kieran Deery was off target and with nine minutes of normal time remaining Aughnamullen extended their lead to two with a point from midfielder Lee Conlon following good work by Stephen Hamilton and Edmund McArdle. Aughnamullen mounted another promising attack with just one minute of normal time remaining but the move broke down and Drumhowan countered quickly through Dermot McDermott and Christopher McGinnity to set up Colm Lambe who reduced the deficit to the minimum and the game up for grabs. Aughnamullen now dug deep to contain a late Drumhowan rally with Christopher Keenan putting them two points in front in the 33rd minute following good work by Mark McArdle to leave two points in it at the end of a most disappointing contest. Drumhowan finished the game with 14 players following the second yellow card dismissal of Kieran McElroy four minutes into stoppage time with tempers also threatening to flare after the final whistle but thankfully good sense prevailed.
Teams and Scorers: Aughnamullen: Gary Mulligan, Thomas Finnegan, Sam Dooney, Stephen Ward, Damien Hamilton, Mark Meegan, Brian McConnell, lee Conlon 0-1, Sean Shereidan 0-1, Edmund McArdle 0-1, Mark McArdle 0-1, Christopher Keenan 0-2, Stephen Hamilton, Lauren Ward 0-1 (f), Michael Keenan. Subs: Pauric Bannigan for S Sheridan, Damien McConnell for B McConnell.
Drumhowan: Enda McElroy, Dermot Mooney, Patrick Duffy, Mark O’Neill, Darren Duffy, Liam McGuirk, Niall Mooney, Anthony Mulligan, Dermot McDermott, Patrick Mulligan, Kieran McElroy, Kevin Mooney, David Millar 0-1, Colm Lambe 0-3 (1f0, Kieran Mooney. Subs: Kieran Deery for K Mooney, Christopher McGinnity for P Mulligan, Damien Duffy A Mulligan. Referee: Dermot Boylan (Killanny).
