GLASDRUMMAN START NEW CAMPAIGN STRONGLY

Glasdrumman 2-15 St Johns Bosco 1-9

Sundays visitors to the Quarter Road were St John Bosco for the first game of a new campaign in Division Three, with a strong support for both teams in anticipation of a good start.
Bosco were quicker out of the blocks and scored the first point of the game within two minutes. Glasdrumman quickly gathered composure and replied strongly with three well taken points from Connaire Harrison split by Cormac Murphy's first point of the game, to put them three ahead after eight minutes. Bosco replied with a second point a minute later but on thirteen minutes, James McDowell pounced on a loose ball to smash the ball into the Bosco net for the first goal of the game and stabilise Glasdrumman's lead. Bosco came back strongly and replied with another two points to reduce the gap again to three. However, Sean McDowell scored his first point of the game within a minute and two further points from the boot of Cormac Murphy swung the balance back in Glasdrumman's favour. The half ended with another couple of points for Bosco, split by Connaire Harrison's fourth point to leave the half time score Glasdrumman 1-8 St John Bosco 0-6.
Bosco came out for the second half determined to turn the game around and scored a pointed free within a minute of the restart. There ensued a sustained few minutes of pressure from the Bosco forwards, who were unable to take any of their chances, before Connaire Harrison eased Glasdrumman nerves with a point in the thirty fifth minute. Bosco came right back again with another point, but two more points from Cormac Murphy and one from Raymond Magorrian increased Glasdrumman's lead to seven. Bosco were not finished though, and were rewarded with a goal midway through the half to keep them in touch. Any hopes of a comeback were swiftly dashed though, when a point from Connaire Harrison was followed by a well taken goal from Raymond Clarke, and then by Connaire Harrison's final point of the game to leave Glasdrumman nine points ahead with eight minutes remaining. Bosco scored a consolation point before Cormac Murphy put over the final score of the game to leave the final score Glasdrumman 2-15 St John Bosco 1-9.
This was a very good and solid performance from Glasdrumman on a very heavy pitch, ensuring they got off to a good start in the new campaign. Ronan McDowell did well between the posts and was unlucky with Bosco's only goal of the game. He received good cover from the full back line of Ryan Doran, Francis O’Neill and Mark Trimble. The half back line of Martin O'Neill, Kevin Burns and Raymond Magorrian worked hard throughout, picking up a lot of loose ball from midfield. Midfielders Pat Mallon and Colm Gribben won a lot of high balls and supported the forwards well. The half forward line of Mark Grant, Shaun Brennan and James McDowell played with determination securing a steady supply of ball to the full forward line. The full forwards Cormac Murphy, Sean McDowell and Connaire Harrison had a strong game, linking well with the half foward line and all got themselves on the scoresheet. Substitutes Raymond Clarke, Declan Grant and Darren Joyce also played their parts when called upon in what was a gritty overall performance from the team. At the end, Glasdrumman can be pleased with the outcome of the game, with a well deserved victory that augers well for the remainder of the season.
Glasdrumman : Ronan McDowell, Ryan Doran, Francis O'Neill, Mark Trimble, Martin O'Neill, Kevin Burns, Raymond Magorrian(0-1), Colm Gribben, Pat Mallon, Mark Grant, Shaun Brennan, James McDowell(1-0), Cormac Murphy(0-6), Sean McDowell(0-1), Connaire Harrison(0-7).
Subs used : Raymond Clarke(1-0) for Shaun Brennan, Declan Grant for Mark Grant, Darren Joyce for James McDowell
Subs not used : Sean Cunningham, Daniel McCartan, Colm Carr, Conor Clerkin, Christopher Cassidy, Christopher McDowell, Brian Burns, Gary Trimble, Eamon Donnegan.