Goals At Crucial Stages Kill Off Swatragh Challenge

Ballinderry 3-07 Swatragh 0-06

The senior footballers got their league campaign underway with a difficult trip to Ballinderry. It was always going to be a tough opener for the Davitts and their preparations were hampered by injury to Michael Conway while on county duty. Both sides took to the field with players who had featured for the U-21 side earlier in the day, and were hoping to get over their disappointment against Tyrone.

The opening stages of the match were evenly contested and with defences on top, the game remained scoreless in the opening twenty minutes. In this opening period both sides stuck numerous wides, often when forced into shooting from unfavourable positions.

The deadlock was eventually broken by a Seanie McGuckin free and after trading scores with Ballinderry it looked as if Swatragh would go in on level terms at half time. However a cutting Ballinderry move led to Fabian Muldoon being brought down in the square and Gilligan converted the resulting penalty despite Brain Og getting a hand to the ball. The Shamrocks tagged on another point before the half to go in leading by 1-02 to 0-02.

Swatragh began the second half with renewed vigour; the blow of the goal before half time seeming forgotten. In the opening ten minutes they completely dominated play, but were only able to add one point to their total. This failure to convert territory and possession was ruthlessly exploited, as a mix up in the Swatragh backline was punished by a second Ballinderry goal.

While the Davitts continued to gain plentiful possession they lacked a clinical edge up front and struggled to reduce their arrears. Their loss was confirmed when the shamrocks hammered home a third goal after a fine flowing move. Although Swatragh competed until the end, they never threatened to make significant inroads to the Ballinderry lead. At the final whistle Ballinderry 3-07 Swatragh 0-06.

It was a disappointing result for Swatragh who traveled with high expectations, but their progress was halted by killer goals at crucial stages of the game. The Swatragh defence played well in the main with Martin Quinn particularly outstanding at full back. It was the Davitts failure to stop the Ballinderry support runners that ultimately led to their downfall. They will also be hoping to add an increased cutting edge up front as more scores will be needed to win future games.

Team and scorers:
Brian Og McAtamney, O Dillon, M Quinn, M Quinn, R Dillon, P Mooney, S McMaster, M Friel, M McKenna(0-01), S McPeake, S Kearney(0-01), R O’Hagan, B Tohill, R Convery, S McGuckin(0-04)
Subs: S Bradley for R Dillon; J McKeefry for S McPeake; K Quinn for B Tohill.

Reserves Edged Out In Free Scoring Entertainer

Ballinderry 1-17 Swatragh 2-11
Prior to the senior game the reserves took on Ballinderry hoping to make it two wins out of two in their league campaign. With these sides due to meet in the reserve championship later in the year, it provided an opportunity to set down an early season marker.

The resulting game was an entertaining free flowing high scoring affair, with both sides producing some excellent football. Swatragh eventually lost out but very much played their part in an excellent game.

Swatragh started the game brightly and with Mel McKeefry and Marty Turner gaining an early edge at midfield the Davitts took an early lead. They added to this with a score from Anton O’Kane, however in a precursor to what was to follow in the senior game, they did not translate dominance into scores.

Ballinderry began to edge into the game and by the twentieth minute had drawn level. To compound matters further a scoring burst before half time gave Ballinderry a 1-10 to 0-06 interval.

This left the Davitts staring a heavy defeat but produced a storming display in the second half to almost steal victory. It was in fact Ballinderry who picked up where they left off at the beginning of the second period – tagging on the opening two scores, but after this the Swatragh full back line took over with O’Doherty, McKeagney and Bradley completely shutting down the Shamrock attack. It was a great performance by Niall O’Doherty on his debut. The half back began to drive on with Quinn and Turner in fine form.

With this solid platform established the Swatragh forwards started to cut loose. A brace of points from John McKeefry allied to scores from Marty Turner and Raymond McPeake interrupted terrific goals from Eugene O’Kane and Sean Tohill. During this time Swatragh were also thankful for a terrific full length save from make shift net minder Micky Kirk.

With Swatragh in complete control their only threat was the clock, which eventually stopped them in their pursuit of victory. It was a highly encouraging performance from the Swatragh side, with the quality of football on display often a joy to watch. It certainly makes for an interesting encounter come championship time. Final score: Ballinderry 1-17 Swatragh 2-11

Team and scorers:
Michael Kirkpatrick, Niall O’Doherty, James McKeagney(c), Seamus Bradley(0-01), Eugene McGuckin, Gerard Turner, Conor Quinn, Michael McKeefry(0-01), Martin Turner(0-01), Raymond McPeake(0-01), John McKeefry(0-04), Eugene O’Kane(1-01), Sean Tohill(1-00), Kieran Quinn(0-01), Anton O’Kane(0-01).