Swatragh 1-11 Ballinascreen 5-05
Schoolboy Errors Ruthlessly Punished
Swatragh hosted Ballinascreen in the 4th round of the Senior Hurling League. The Davitts were in search of the second league victory to join the Draperstown men on four points. This was an even contest throughout but some calamitous defending in the Davitt defence allowed the Screen to bag five goals that ultimately eased them to victory.
Swatragh began the first half in the ascendancy and registered the first couple of scores of the game through Ruairi Convery frees. Screen edged back into the game with a free of their own before the Davitts tagged on another couple of scores. Swatragh were fairly much controlling the game but a speculative ball into the Davitt square squirmed loose and a Screen forward kicked the loose ball to the net.
This score seemed to dampen the home sides spirits and a catalog of errors allowed the away side to bag two further goals before half time. On too many occasions the Swatragh defenders allowed the Ballinascreen forward to get to the ball first. This coupled to some slack marking left Swatragh 0-04 to 3-02 adrift at the break.
Swatragh exploded out of the blocks in the second half and within three minutes of the restart had added 1-02 to their tally; the goal coming from a Convery free. However having hauled themselves back into the game, another moment of indecision in the defence allowed Screen in to clinch another goal to reassert their control.
This sucker punch knocking the Davitts of their stride and they were unable to make significant inroads to the deficit in the remaining minutes. A few more points were added in the remaining minutes but there was still time for Screen to bag a final fifth goal.
Final Score: Swatragh 1-11 Ballinascreen 5-05
It was a disappointing performance from the Davitts who have failed to build on their opening victory. They can take heart from the fact that they scored on more occasions than their opponents but must tighten up at the back to avoid further defeats.
Team and Scorers: P. McFlynn, S. McFerran, S. Bradley, N. O’Doherty, S. O’Kane, C. Quinn (0-01), J. McKeagney, C. McQuillan, M. McKenna (0-01), D. McGuckin (0-01), N. McAtamney, P. O’Kane (0-01), D. Shiels, R. Convery (1-07), A. Diamond