---

An Riocht Notes - 9th August 2005

---

An Riocht / Kingdom YC Notes

 

Reports

Seniors An Riocht v Clonduff

The Seniors lost this vital match by 1:11 to 3:11 yet with three minutes to play were only two points in arrears, 1:11 to 2:10, and had the momentum with them. This after a disastrous opening in which John Fegan and Shane Ward created havoc as Clonduff went five one up and missed two good goal chances. We were always second best, looked unbalanced and made numerous unforced errors as too many of our main players had an off day. For all that Clonduff were unable to put us away and at the break only two points separated the teams, 1:5 to 1:7. Despite Clonduff scoring a second goal in the fortieth minute and our inability to point from play the result was in doubt until moments from the finish when Clonduff swept up the field on a counter attack and goaled at the second attempt.

U16 An Riocht v Mayobridge

On Tuesday An Riocht overcame Mayobridge 4:13 to 5:3 to reach the Championship final. This pair last met in knock out football in the U14 final of 2003 which the ‘Bridge won so this result can be viewed as an indicator that our players are improving all the time which is most welcome.

It all started so differently with the ‘Bridge goaling in their first two attacks and hitting the post in the third. Gradually we settled and though Paddy Gartland came close to a goal we trailed 2:1 to 0:4 at the break.

On the restart a couple of Christopher Killen points left us trailing by the minimum before Diarmuid Flanagan tore along the end line and fired to the roof of the net to put us ahead for the first time. But Mayobridge swept to the other end and scored their third goal. Back up the field and the visitors keeper saved well to deny Diarmuid but from the kick out Paddy caught and immediately released to Christopher who made no mistake from close range. However within moments the ‘Bridge had punched a fourth goal. This time it was our turn to claim an instant reply and Conor Cole finished well to the net for a 3:9 to 4:3 score line. Conor Doyle and Kyle Morris both tested the woodwork before Diarmuid goaled again under the dropping ball but once more the ‘Bridge advanced and won a penalty which Ethan Burns saved though he was helpless moments later as they crashed in their fifth goal. A strong finish from Christopher left us with ten points to spare at the final whistle.

David Sloan, Conor Phillips and Conor Doyle were best at the back, Wayne Bowater and Christopher Killen worked hard at midfield, while Michael Spiers, Paddy Gartland and Conor Cole caught the eye in that score laden second period.

In a reassuring show of commitment two players returned from the Gaeltacht in Donegal for the match and thanks are due to those who transported them.

U18 Mayobridge v An Riocht

An Riocht won with plenty to spare but it was a lethargic disjointed display which will have to be improved upon if we are to make the final, last weeks superb team performance in Burren was but a distant memory. That said at least we are still there to give a better account of ourselves.

Short passing from the half back line and a pass too many in front of goals combined to produce a frustrating first half whose brightest point was Sean Clarke’s twentieth minute goal. At half time we led 1:6 to 0:5 having played into the breeze and down the difficult hill.

The second half brought a marked improvement. Mayobridge were limited to rare chances and their goal, direct from a free, was recovered with four quick scores at the other end. We withdrew Declan Ross to a defensive role in the final quarter and this provided more room for our forwards which Noel McArdle capitalized on to score our second goal while what possession the home side got was kicked away goal wards where Declan gobbled it up and began yet another An Riocht attack.

Michael Rodgers, Damian Sherry and Darren Cunningham were best at the back wile Sean Clarke, Martin Clarke and Noel McArdle carried the main threat up front.

Team: R Doran M Rodgers C Walsh C McVeigh D Sherry G Small F Doyle 0:1 J Colgan J Cunningham P Cordell M Clarke 0:7 C Killen D Ross 0:1 C Sloan 0:2 S Clarke 1:0. Sub N McArdle 1:4 D Cunningham P Sherry JF White D Morgan L Harper.

U14 Tullylish v An Riocht

This difficult away fixture was won by two points, 5:11 to 4:12.

Seniors Shamrocks v An Riocht

The Senior footballers lifted some of the gloom with a creditable win in Newry. In an entertaining match the play swung from end to end with some passages of top class football and the lead changed hands on several occasions with lots of goal mouth action. Aidan Flanagan was probably the pick of the full back line really attacking the ball while the corner men covered in behind; Conor Walsh did well on the half line with the McVeighs; and at midfield James Colgan played himself into the game after a difficult start, with James Cunningham doing well when introduced; up front Paddy Cole too improved as the game went on while Neill Dorans frees kept us in touch and Martin Clarkes running from deep caused Shamrocks lots of problems. There was not a lot of ball went to the front men but Richard Annett will be happy with his three point return. It was far from perfect but was a marked improvement on the weeks earlier offering.

U14 Drumgath v An Riocht

Saturdays game provided us with our second brace of points in three days.

U12 An Riocht v Annaclone

The U12 bounced back from their Championship disappointment with another league win over Annaclone.

Seconds An Riocht v Longstone

For the second year in a row the final league match had to be won to preserve Premier One status and won it was, 4:12 to 0:5. Both teams resisted the urge to include a host of seniors and fielded their regular reserve sides. An Riocht were bigger, stronger and fitter and led from start to finish.

Kieran McVeigh fisted the opening point and a Michael Harper free doubled the lead before Liam Fitzpatrick made it three. Kieran Doran’s free for Longstone was answered by Harpers second with John Trainor advancing for four two. The same player was unlucky in the next attack when his shot came back off the angle of post and bar. An Riocht who had begun to over play the ball reverted to a direct style and Harper got on the end of Aidan O’Hanlon’s punt to shoot the opening goal. Before the break Chris Burden’s free narrowed the deficit.

Michael Trainor pointed on the restart and Aidan Cunningham whizzed over another. Burden replied for the ‘Stone but the next score was a fiercely struck goal from Fitzpatrick and Fergal Doyle quickly added a point. At the other end Longstone were not finished and Gavin Finnegan saved with his feet as Burden brought the visitors tally to five. Fitzpatrick and sub Noel McArdle added points apiece before another sub James Cunningham bagged a third goal. Finnegan was again in action as the ‘Stone went in search of a consolation but it was An Riocht who goaled, Damian Sherry playing in Fitzpatrick who rounded off a rare opportunity in the forwards with his second goal and there was still time for subs Stephen Annett and Darren Cunningham to add late points.

Others to catch the eye were Sean Clarke and Michael Rodgers on a tight marking full back line, Sean McArdle who roamed outfield after his man to good effect and captain Aidan O’Hanlon at number six. Brian Sloan and Aidan Cunningham dominated midfield with Kevin Flanagan winning lots of loose ball on the forty.

Thirds Glenn v An Riocht.

The thirds traveled to Glenn on Sunday evening and lost to the league leaders by eight points, 2:14 to 0:12, despite Ruairi Doran scoring six points. Other scores came from Mike Quinn, Jim Sloan, Eamon Binks, Thomas Sloan and Ronan Cunningham.

U10 Ballymartin v An Riocht

A Monday match, too late for this week’s notes catch up on how it went in the next issue.

U14 An Riocht v Annaclone.

Only played on Monday a report will be carried next week.

 

Fixtures

Tuesday 9^th August U16 An Riocht v Annaclone

Thursday 11^th August Senior Championship Burren v An Riocht in Rostrevor; U10 Atticall v An Riocht.

Saturday 13^th August Og Sport U15 seven-a-sides in Newry; U8 tournament in Longstone.

Tuesday 16^th August U16 Atticall v An Riocht

Wednesday 17^th August Thirds An Riocht v St. Michaels

Friday 19^th August Seniors An Riocht v Ballyholland

Saturday 20^th August U14 FC Final An Riocht v Shamrocks

 

Summer Scheme

This weeks highlights include Culinary Treats (Tuesday 9^th), SELB Roadshow (Wednesday 10^th), Snooker (Thursday 11^th), Paintball (Friday 12^th), Mural (Monday 15^th), Team Challenge (Tuesday 16^th), Formula Karting (Wednesday 17^th).

Camogie

The U14 team traveled to Kilclief on Saturday to play Ballycran in the league semi-final.

Remaining Junior matches to be arranged are Home v Ballycran, Away v Darragh Cross, Away v Liatroim, plus the Championship. Remaining U16 (minor) matches are Home v Atticall, Away v Portaferry, Home v Kilcoo, Away v Ballyholland, Home v Liatroim plus the Championship.

Fund Raising has started for the Kilmacud Camogie weekend, 17^th and 18^th September.

Mourne Hurlers

The Down Hurling Development Coaching Academy takes place on Mondays and Tuesdays in August at the various Mourne GAA grounds.

Down Minors

Any fully paid up member wanting included in the draw for All Ireland semi-final tickets, Down minors v Offaly, on Sunday 28^th August must give in their name before Wednesday 17^th August.