Annaclone edge past Shamrocks - 18/11/02

Annaclone's aspirations of playing Division One next season improved on Sunday when they overcame Newry Shamrocks by seven points at Hilltown. Shamrocks missed chance after chance, while Annaclone took every change that came their way to punish the Newry City side.

For most of the game Annaclone were first to the ball and in the Fegan brothers Aidan and Colm they had a partnership that was able to score from any where. Annaclone were more efficient in their passing, played better as a team and the defended strongly and resolutely. On the other hand the City side had few players apart from Karl Murphy who grabbed most of his side's scores, who will want to remember this match.

Shamrocks started best with Murphy putting three points on the board in the opening six minutes. However Annaclone responded with two points from the Fegan brothers. On the 12th minutes they raced into the lead, a lead they were never to relinquish. Aidan Fegan hit a 40-yard pass to John Haughian picking up the ball 20 yards out and sending the ball past Paul Crimmins and into the net via the crossbar. At this stage Annaclone were running the show and in the following ten minutes scored a goal and four points without reply. Colm Fegan hitting the second.

In the final few minutes leading up to half time the Newry side got back into the match with points from Cathal Murphy and Karl Murphy.

Half-time: Shamrocks 0-6 Annaclone 2-06

On the restart Shamrocks pushed forward but could not score - they hit the bar and also sent the ball to the wrong side of the upright. Annaclone were not so wasteful at the other end scoring three points. Gavin Murphy eventually fired over a point for the Newry side but Annaclone again responded at the other end.

In the final quarter Shamrocks applied more pressure with Karl Murphy bringing a full length save from keeper Byrne who diverted the ball over the bar. Then Gavin Murphy, Marty Rafferty and Karl Murphy (from a free) added to the Shamrocks’ total, but time was not on their side with only three minutes left. Aidan Fegan hit the last score of the match to put seven points between the teams.

Shamrocks will need to improve on this performance if their Division One dreams are to be realised while Annaclone, who incidentally have now completed a hat-trick of wins over the Newry side this season, are in the promotion driving seat.

Newry Shamrocks: Paul Crimmins, Donal Quinn, Con Murphy, Gareth Loughran, Decky McParland, Cathal Murphy, Kevin McGuigan, Paul Burns, Collie Burns, Ciaran Conlon, Karl Murphy, Gavin Murphy, Brendan Loughran, Marty Rafferty and Noel Heaney.

Annaclone: Paddy Byrne, Martin McAleenan, Eamon McGivern, Peter McColgan, John Haughian, Gary Byrne, Gerard Fegan, Sean Pyers, Fintan Kerr, Colm Fegan, Aidan Fegan, Colm Farrell, Paul Byrne, Martin Tumilty and Paul Lavery with subs: John Fegan and Daniel McCusker. Ends




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