Glasdrumman's
Division 2 status secure - 13/10/03
ACFL
Div 2: Glasdrumman 0-11 Attical 0-08 11/10/2003
By John Brennan Glasdrumman G.A.C.
Attical were the
visitors to the Quarter Road on Saturday evening in the most important game of
the season for both teams as they battled for the two points which were crucial
to both clubs though for very different reasons. Two points for Attical secured
a top four playoff position for them whereas two points for Glasdrumman secured
their position in Division 2 for next season. Couple that with the fact that it
was a local derby game between two Mourne teams and the scene was set for a thriller.
Glasdrumman started strongly as they usually do at the Quarter Road and Raymond
Clarke got his name on the score sheet in the first minute with a well taken point
from play. Four minutes later Mark Doran leveled the score for Attical but Glasdrumman's
hunger was rewarded with three points in a five minute spell, the first from left
half back Martin O'Neill followed by two from the boot of Paul McDowell. In the
fourteenth minute of the half Ollie Sloan pulled one back for Attical but three
minutes later Raymond Magorrian scored an excellent point from play to restore
the Glasdrumman lead. Twenty minutes into the half the same player added a second
point. Gary Morgan got his name on the score sheet for Attical five minutes later
but it was left to Glasdrumman's midfielder Pat Mallon to score the last point
of the half to leave the half time score Glasdrumman 0-7 Attical 0-3.
Glasdrumman started the second half where they left off in the first but four
wides in the first three minutes had their supporters worried more so when Mark
Doran scored his second point of the game for Attical. In the eighth minute Raymond
Clarke scored an inspirational point from a side line ball for Glasdrumman but
Attical hit back with points from Mark Doran and Ollie Sloan in a three minute
spell. Raymond Clarke repeated his earlier scoring feat with another superb point
from the side line to settle the Glasdrumman side. Following a thirteen minute
spell of intense play without a score Martin Trainor added another point for Attical
but within two Cormac Murphy cancelled it out with a point from a forty five.
Two minutes later the same player scored his second point of the game but it was
left to Miceal Sloan to score the last point of the game to leave the final score
Glasdrumman 0-11 Attical 0-8.
This was an excellent performance from
a Glasdrumman side who played with commitment, purpose and a hunger which Attical
found difficult to cope with on the day. If this sort of commitment can carry
over to the start of the season then the players and supporters can look forward
with confidence to Glasdrumman building on what has been an excellent first season
in Division 2. Well done to all the players in the panel for your time and efforts
in what has been a long season and a special word of thanks to John McDowell,
Liam Murphy, Terry Joyce and Harry Toner who did a superb job all season in preparing
the players physically and mentally for the task ahead.
Glasdrumman:
Ronan McDowell, Francis O'Neill, Kevin Burns, Mark Trimble, Martin O'Neill (0-1),
Brian Burns, Colm Carr, Cormac Murphy (0-2), Pat Mallon (0-1), Raymond Magorrian
(0-2), Paul McDowell (0-2), Michael McGuiness, Mick Mooney, Raymond Clarke (0-3),
Mick Mooney, Shane Feeney.
Subs: Gary McGreevy, Shaun Brennan, Paul Brennan,
Declan Grant, Daniel McCartan, Eugene Smith, Sean McDowell.
Attical:
Patrick McAstocker, Aaron Sloan, Brendan Sloan, Paul Trainor, Shane Fitzpatrick,
Mark Sloan, Kieran Small, Louis Sloan, Paddy Sloan, Martin Trainor (0-1), Mark
Doran (0-3), Micael Sloan (0-1), Gary Morgan (0-1), Olliver Sloan (0-2), Wayne
McCulla.
Subs used: Sean Cunningham for Gary Morgan.
** Congratulations
to Conor Harrison who was part of the St Columban's team which won the Peader
Barry Cup last week in Castlewellan.
** The club would like to wish Robbie
McGivern a speedy recovery following his recent accident.
** End of season
night on Friday 17th October in Quinn's
