Match Report

Christopher Leads From The Front

Date Filed: 24 May 2017

Old rivals Aghaderg and Ballykinlar completed the first half of their 2017 league fixtures when they met in Ballyvarley on Friday night last. Conditions were perfect as a sunny evening and a perfectly groomed pitch welcomed the two teams and a small crowd of spectators. There was a particular interest in this match as Ballykinlar had defeated Aghaderg in the championship last August and this was the first opportunity to exact revenge. 

Management made a number of changes from the team defeated by St Michaels the previous week. Collie and Steve Comiskey were both available and were selected in the full forward line. A number of positional changes were made with P McGrath moving to centre half back, J Lennon moving to midfield and A McAvoy  to no10. A change in tactics was also signaled as there was no designated sweeper.

The visitors were first on the attack as they won the throw in and launched their first attack which resulted in the first point of the evening. Ballykinlar continued to dominate possession in the first few minutes and raced into a three point lead with no 10 Cory Gibson looking particularly dangerous. The reds eventually got on the score sheet when P McGrath called the first mark of the evening and set up C Comiskey who scored a fine pint from the left wing. S Comiskey set up C McAvoy for his first  score of the evening but the visitors continued to look the more dangerous and kept the scoreboard ticking over. At the end of the first quarter they led by 0-6 to 0-3. After some fine combined play by the home forward line  S Comiskey was hauled down as he was about to shoot. C McAvoy scored his first goal from the resultant penalty to tie the game.  The final ten minutes of the first half  witnessed some highly entertaining football as the visitors continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over with four more points but the reds were gradually gaining control. P McGrath with two points and the McAvoy brothers with four points and a final point of the half from S Comiskey left the match finely balanced at half time. Aghaderg 1 - 10  Ballykinlar 0 - 10.

Ballykinlar began the second half like the first as they won the throw in and kicked an early point but the home team gradually began to dominate proceedings as their half back line and midfield exerted control over  the opposition and the forward line with the majority of possession outscored the opposition by 1 - 9 to 0 -3 in the second half.  C McAvoy scored the first point of the half for the reds and was quickly followed by C Comiskey with his second point of the evening. C McAvoy from a free, C Lennon and McAvoy again scored in quick succession as the visitors faded and the superior fitness of  the home team became more evident. L Murray capitalised on a short kick out to record his first score of the evening. The McAvoy brothers scored a point each before Christopher completed his tally for the night with his second goal. The final score of the game fell to super sub M Lennon with a fine point from the left side of the field. A number of substitutes were introduced in the second half. R Conway replaced M McGrath early in the second half  while K Davis, S McCann, C McGivern and M Lennon all got an opportunity to impress.  

This was a well merited win and offered some compensation for the championship defeat. The highlight of the evening was the display of team captain Christopher McAvoy who scored  2 - 8 from open play and placed balls. This was an exceptional performance of pace, power and accuracy and like a true leader he was often seen supporting his defense when necessary.  

P Colgan was delighted to post his first clean sheet of the season, he got excellent support from his defense particularly from T Lennon, P McGrath and G Rice. J Lennon competed well in midfield and was unlucky to pick up an injury in the second half. L Murray continues to display good form in his first  year at mid field. The forward line was mainly a story of two sets of brothers. The Comiskeys were more dominant in the first half,  the McAvoys certainly shaded the second half but overall the Ballykinlar defense came off a poor second best to the combined efforts of the brothers.

With the first half of the league completed eleven players have scored a total of 11 goals and 62 points.  Chris McAvoy  3 - 34(43) P McGrath 1-9(12) L Murray 3 -1(10) S Comiskey 2-2(8) C Lennon 2-2(8) R McShane 0-5 A McAvoy 0-3  C McGivern 0-2 C Comiskey 0-2 G Rice 0-1 M Lennon 0-1
 
Team: Paul Colgan Gerard Rice Thomas Lennon Ciaran Connolly Ryan Strain Paul McGrath(0-2)  Christopher Lennon(0-1)Louis Murray(0-1) Jonathan Lennon( Michael Lennon)(0-1)Aaron McAvoy(0-2) Rory McShane(Conor McGivern) Michael McGrath (Ruari Conway)Christopher McAvoy(2-8)  Stevie Comiskey(0-2(Steve McCann)) Collie Comiskey(0-2).  Subs:Conor McGivern Ruari Conway Kieran Davis Ciaran McShane Steve McCann Michael Lennon(0-1)