Shamrocks 3-11, Ballygarvan 3-9
Shamrocks played their first match in 2 months on Friday night and battled to a tight win over Ballygarvan. It was a close contest all through and could have gone either way but when Ballygarvan drew things back to within a point towards the end on a few occasions, Shamrocks were able to respond with vital points at the other end.
After the teams exchanged early frees, the game came to life with a flurry of goals from both teams. Andrew O’Grady scored Shamrocks first goal but this was cancelled out by not one but two Ballygarvan piledrivers within a minute of each other. Ballygarvan in front but then Shamrocks went down the field and scored two goals of their own through full forward Brian Sweeney. The teams exchanged points up until halftime, at which point Shamrocks led 3-5 to 2-5.
Ballygarvan scored from a penalty shortly after halftime after Shamrocks had gone 4 clear. The game got somewhat scrappy thereafter with Ballygarvan having most of the possession and scoring the odd point but Shamrocks were able to respond each time. The 2 point margin that existed throughout the second half remained until the final whistle, thanks to points from Joe Shanahan, Mark Hitchough and Chris O’NEill and a great save from keeper Fergus O’Neill in the Shamrocks goal.
Team: F. O’Neill, J. Tuohy, S. Hurley, S. Andrews, M. Hitchmough, C. Kidney, J. Browne, B. Mulqueen, A. McCarthy, D. Scriven, J. Shanahan, A. O’Grady, S. Collins, B. Sweeney, R. Twomey. Subs used – M. Jordan, S. Cunningham, D. Hayes, D. O’Neill, R. Harrington.
JAFL V Ballygarvan, 22/4/16. Back row, l to r: S. Kidney, M. Jordan, A. McCarthy, S. Cunningham, S. Collins, C. Kidney, B. Sweeney, D. Scriven, S. Hurley, M. Hitchmough, D. O’Neill, A. O’Grady, D. Hayes, R. Murphy. Front, l to r: R. Harrington, C. O’Neill, J. Browne, J. Shanahan, F. O’Neill, S. Andrews, J, Tuohy, R. Twomey, B. Mulqueen, J. Wilson.
