IFC: Darragh Cross
0-17 Ardglass 1-09
Intermediate
Championship Round 1 - Darragh Cross
0-17 Ardglass 1-9Darragh Cross went
through to the next round of the Intermediate
Championship after a keenly contested
derby game in Ballykinlar on Thursday
evening. With ten minutes remaining
only a point split the teams, with
Ardglass up to then, never more than
a kick of the ball away from their
Division 2 opponents. However, Darragh's
class told in the end with five points
in the closing stages to ensure progression
to the last 8.
The first half was a typical championship
game played on a tight pitch, with
neither set of forwards getting much
room from their markers. Darragh began
the brighter with two early frees.
Gareth McGovern swung over a left
footed point after Marcus Miskelly
had been fouled 30 yards out, before
Eoin Mageean displayed some accurate
ground kicking with an impressive
free from wide on the left. Pat McMahon
then played Mageean in and he sent
over another score to put the Cross
3 points up. Ardglass then were awarded
a penalty, and Chris Taggart converted
it low to the left corner. McGovern
pointed another free after Dermot
Timoney was brought down, but Ardglass
levelled at the other end. Brendan
McGourty curled over a fine left-footed
point for Darragh before Marcus Miskelly
added a free, but Ardglass got a point
before the break to leave Darragh
leading by 0-6 to 1-2.
Gareth McGovern sent over a good individual
point early in the second half, but
for the next twenty minutes it was
a real end to end tussle. Ardglass
pulled a point back before Ryan Keenan
found Tom McMahon with a pinpoint
pass and McMahon hooked over. Two
points in reply for Ardglass brought
the sides level. Hugh Murray then
curled over for Darragh, but at the
other end the Division 3 league leaders
drew level yet again. At the other
end good work from Eoin Mageean got
the ball to Hugh Murray who hooked
over with his right foot, Ardglass
again levelled, before Mageean split
the posts and Marcus Miskelly pointed
to give Darragh a two points cushion.
Ardglass pulled a point back, and
had the chance to level the match
with twelve minutes remaining but
a 21 yard free was sent wide. Darragh
then took charge of the game. Ryan
Keenan and Tom McMahon pointed either
side of a point for Ardglass. Darragh
showed their experience with a well
worked score, keeping possession and
working it across the pitch before
Mageean hooked over. Mageean then
produced a superb field to set up
Ryan Keenan who made no mistake in
pointing from 25 yards to finally
put Darragh four clear. A late score
from Gareth McGovern sealed a deserved
win for Darragh.
Paddy Murray was excellent in defence
throughout, with Ryan McGreevy also
impressing. Brendan McGourty worked
hard at midfield with Tom McMahon
getting forward well in the second
half. Eoin Mageean and Gareth McGovern
did well in attack.
Darragh
Cross team & scorers -
G Marks, F Murray, P Swail, S Timoney,
P Murray, D Timoney, R McGreevy, T
McMahon (0-2), B McGourty (0-1), H
Murray (0-2), P McMahon, E Mageean
(0-4), R Keenan (0-2), M Miskelly
(0-2), G McGovern (0-4). Subs used
- E Murray and M McMahon
