GAA- MACRORY CUP
BY MATTHEW WILSON
Our Lady’s Castleblaney 3-15
Southwest Donegal 2-6
Southwest Donegal got their MacRory cup campaign off to a disappointing start, suffering a 12-point defeat to Our Lady’s Castleblaney in Loughmacrory on Wednesday.
Six points separated the sides entering the final quarter however, a pair of goals in quick succession helped the Monaghan men on their way to a convincing victory.
Our Lady’s Castleblaney got the afternoon’s scoring underway through a two-pointed free from Charlie Mone on three minutes.
Two minutes later, Southwest Donegal hit back in the form of a major.
A superb ball from Gavin Sweeney found Michael Gallagher who rifled the ball into the back of the net.
Evan Treanor and Shane Sweeney (free) traded scores before the Monaghan men hit a purple back, landing six points without reply.
This fruitful spell began with a free from Charlie Mone which saw the orange flag raised. Further scores from the boots off Oliver Kelly, Shane Byrne and James Ennis (free) left them with a six-point advantage.
The Donegal outfit responded in the last act of the opening stanza, with Cian McConnell firing over a two-pointed free from range to leave four between the sides at the break.
The Castleblaney outfit began Act Two on the front foot, with Oliver Kelly curling over a sweet effort two minutes after the restart.
Shortly afterwards, they found the back of the net. Alex McGinnitty selflessly kicked the ball across the face of the goal to the awaiting Pauric Carville who fired home.
However, Southwest Donegal immediately hit back with a three-pointer of their own.
A free from Cian McConnell dropped dangerously into the square and Gavin Sweeney was on hand to flick the ball beyond Donnacadh Murphy.
The Monaghan outfit responded well by kicking back-to-back scores courtesy of Ryan Lynch and Evan Treanor before Michael Gallagher pulled one back for South West Donegal, leaving six between the sides entering the final quarter.
However, this deficit would soon be stretched to nine as Castleblaney landed another major.
Evan Trainor found Ryan Lynch who created an opening and made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
Soon afterwards, goal number three arrived for the Farney men. James Ennis squared the ball across the face of goal where Alex McGinnity palmed home his second goal of the encounter.
The Southwest Donegal side continued to battle, with Danny McCready finding two consecutive white flags.
Although the Castleblaney men finished proceedings strong as scores from Oliver Kelly and Charlie Mone (two-pointed free) capped off a fine opening day win for them.
Southwest Donegal: Cian McConnell (0-2,1tpf); Niall Roarty, Enda Gallagher, Chris O’Donnell; Jack Elliot, Dathi Molloy, Conor Farrell; Cathal Mac Aoidh, Alan Doherty; Gavin Sweeney (1-0), Stephen McDevitt, Lewis Cunnea; Danny McCready (0-2,1f), Shane Sweeney (0-1,1f), Michael Gallagher (1-1). Subs: Logan Melly, Leon Gallagher McDyre and Jamie Gallagher for Elliot, Farrell and Shane Sweeney (37 mins), Oisin Boyle and John Pól Ó Gallachóir for Doherty and Cunnea (45 mins).
Our Lady’s Castleblaney: Donnacadh Murphy; Jack Sullivan, Emmet Garrivan, Fionnan Markey; Oliver Kelly (0-3), Alfie Hughes, Senan Hanratty; James Ennis (0-1,1f), Charlie Mone (0-6,3tpf); Shane Byrne (0-1), Evan Treanor (0-2), Sean Murtagh; Ryan Lynch (1-2), Pauric Carville (1-0), Alex McGinnitty (1-0). Subs: Diarmuid Flanagan for Markey (41 mins), Mark Drury for Hanratty (54 mins).
Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone).
Game at a Glance
Man of the Match: Charlie Mone (Our Lady’s Castleblaney). The Castleblaney man was very influential around the middle third and finished proceedings with a personal tally of 0-6. Oliver Kelly also impressed while Gavin Sweeney and Danny McCready put in a good shift for the South West Donegal outfit.
The Whistler: It was a quiet afternoon in the middle for referee Kieran Eannetta, with the contest being played in a sporting manner throughout.
Turning Point: Six points separated the sides as the contest entered its final quarter; however, two goals in the space of five minutes stretched the Monaghan men’s cushion to 12 points, leaving them in a commanding position.
Talking Point: South West Donegal will be disappointed with the way that their MacRory Cup campaign began on Wednesday afternoon. They reached the last four of the competition last term and will likely have aspirations of reaching this stage again this year. They’ll regroup ahead of a big clash with the Abbey Vocational School next week.
What’s Next: Up next for South West Donegal is a meeting with fellow Donegal outfit Abbey Vocational School. Meanwhile, the Castleblaney school will meet St Michael’s Enniskillen.
