ACFL Division 1: We had two matches last week in the senior league and unfortunately we came out second best on both occasions. We played Abbeylara on Wednesday night and lost out on a scoreline of 1-14 to 2-6. We almost got off to the perfect start when Pauric Gill fired a goal attempt off the crossbar after thirty seconds. No mistake was made not long after when the same player was hauled down for a penalty and keeper Paddy Collum slammed the ball to the back of the net. Abbeylara, however, took over after this and went in at the break 1-9 to 1-2 ahead, with Martin Cassidy and Gill getting our other scores in the first half. We started the second half brightly with a point straight away from Gill and Cassidy struck over a nice free not long after to give us a glimmer of hope. Abbeylara eventually got a score after our defence had held out well. Pauric Gill found the net to leave only three points in it and a real possibility of pulling off a result. Missed chances, particularly goal chances at this stage, proved to be the difference in the end. Mark Duffy came storming forward and curled over an excellent point and Nigel Kiernan converted a free from a tight angle but unfortunately this wasn’t enough and Abbey held out to win by 5 points.
The team and scorers were as follows:
Paddy Collum (1-0, pen), Dan Gorman, Cian Brady, Stephen Cosgrave, Mark Duffy (0-1), Emmet Noonan, Nigel Kiernan (0-1, (1f)), David Collum, Pauric Gill (1-2), Ciarán Cooney, Diarmuid Cooney, Mike Kiernan, Martin Cassidy (0-2, (2f)), Petie Collum, Mark Hughes.
Substitutions used:
Seán Whelan, Mickey Kelly, Anthony Kane, Dean Cosgrave.
We then had the difficult task of playing Mullinalaghta in The Laurels on Sunday morning last. Tight on numbers, with many lads unavailable, we were well beaten on a scoreline of 2-20 to 1-9, with David Collum getting our goal towards the end of the match – an excellent fisted effort. Effort could not have been faulted as our lads kept going from start to finish, however, our opposition just had too much for us.
The team and scorers were as follows:
Paddy Collum, Dan Gorman, Cian Brady, Stephen Cosgrave, Mark Hughes, Emmet Noonan, Nigel Kiernan, Mark Duffy, Seán Whelan, Pauric Gill (0-3, (1f)), Diarmuid Cooney, Anthony Kane, Mickey Kelly, Petie Collum (0-4, (4f)), Martin Cassidy (0-2, (2f)).
Substitutions used:
David Collum (1-0), Gearóid Nertney, Kevin Whitney
We have one remaining league match which is at home to Mostrim on Wednesday night, June 27th at 8.30pm. We must win this match to have any chance of remaining in Division 1 for next year.
U-21 Championship: The draw for the U-21 championship was made recently and we were drawn in a group with Mullinalaghta and Granard/Ballymore. The first match is away to Mullinalaghta on Sunday October 1st at 12pm and the second match is at hom to Granard/Ballymore at 5pm on Saturday, October 7th.
Lotto: The draw was held in Quinn’s Bar, Drumlish on Monday last, September 11th. The Jackpot was €7,600. Results are currently available on the club website and will be in next week’s notes. Tickets are available from the usual outlets and from any member of the executive.
Sympathy: The club would like to extend its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Paddy Rogers (formerly of The Mill) and Patrick Maguire (formerly of Aughadowry) who passed away recently. Solas na bhFlaitheas orthu.