Match Report

Aghaderg senior footballers welcomed old rivals Bright to Ballyvarley on Friday evening.  Manager Mark O'Kane had to make two changes from the team defeated by Ardglass as James and Michael McGrath were unavailable.  Graeme Donaghy returned in defence while Conor McGivern was drafted into the forward line.

The reds started  by winning much early possession but Bright were first on the scoreboard when a short kick out went astray and was punished by a well taken point. However Aghaderg soon found their rhythm and with their close passing game soon had the visitors struggling to contain their attacks. R McShane scored the first point after a pass from S Comiskey.   Further points followed from C McAvoy and C McGivern.  The first quarter of a most entertaining game remained close on the scoreboard at Aghaderg 0-3 Bright 0-2.   The second quarter was to see Aghaderg playing their best football of the season. The defence was strong and supported the attackers, mid fielders P McGrath and L Murray were in the ascendancy while the forwards all contributed during this period of dominance. P McGrath found target man S Comiskey with a long through ball who set up the onrushing L Murray who smashed the ball to the back of the net. C McAvoy with two excellent points from play and R McShane with his second point extended the lead to seven points.  Then came the score of the match as goal keeper P Colgan's long kick out was fielded by P McGrath who quickly found C McAvoy who rounded his man and took on the last defender before setting up full forward S Comiskey for his second goal of the season. In the last minutes of the first half Bright and Aghaderg exchanged points  as G Rice scored his first point after working an opening from a 45. 

Half Time Aghaderg  2 - 7  Bright 0 -3. 

The second half commenced with the visitors totally on the offensive and within five minutes had closed the gap with three well taken points. The Reds were unable to find their rhythm and found themselves under constant attack. They withdrew more players behind the ball and were often  successful in forcing the visitors to shoot wide under pressure. However they were unable to make many meaningful attacks The visitors continued to tag on a points while the reds only managed one point from  A McAvoy. Entering the final quarter the nerves were showing and with ten minutes to go T Lennon was black carded when he fouled the visitor's forward who had a clear sight of goal.  Bright scored a goal from the resultant penalty to make it a three point game. C McAvoy scored the reds final point. Bright narrowed it to three again. In the last five minutes Aghaderg lost a player to a red card. In the final minute a combination of Paul Colgan, C McAvoy and the woodwork kept the goal intact. The home fans were delighted when the referee blew the final whistle to signal a hard earned win. 

P Colgan was safe and confident throughout. The defence played well as a unit with the half back line of Donaghy, Rice and Lennon generally in control. A McAvoy was an effective sweeper and managed to get forward on occasions. The midfield duo of P McGrath and L Murray were in control for most of the hour and Murray's goal was taken with assurance. S Comiskey was an effective target man, R McShane contributed two points from play and a number of assists while C McAvoy played a real captain's role with his ball winning, scores, assists and a goal line clearance in the last minute.

Players and management will be pleased with the promising start to 

the season with one win, one draw and one defeat to date. They will be delighted with the quality of the football played  in parts, puzzled by a loss of intensity in the second half of each match and concerned that a lack of discipline seen them collect yellow, black and red cards in the final quarter. 

Next game -v- Dromara @ home Thu 27th April 7 - 15pm. 

Aghaderg 2-9  Bright 1-9.

Team: Paul Colgan Ryan Strain Thomas Lennon(Michael Lennon) Ciaran connolly Graeme Donaghy Gerard Rice (0-1)Christopher Lennon Paul McGrath Louis Murray(1-0) Conor McGivern(0-1)( , Ruari Conway)Keelin Doyle Rory Mcshane (0-2) Christopher McAvoy-Capt(0-4), Stevie Comiskey(1-0), Aaron McAvoy(0-1). Subs: Kieran McShane, , Ruari Conway, Michael Lennon, Steve McCann, Ruari O'Neill, Shaun Savage.