Magh Cuilinn Recover from Slow Start for First Win

Post date: Apr 28, 2014 6:38:21 PM

Magh Cuilinn 3-08 Cois Fharraige 2-09

Magh Cuilinn recorded their first win in the 2014 u16 Championship against a physically imposing Cois Fharraige side in Baile Doite. Mágh Cuilinn were confident of victory as both of their previous performances had pushed the group's leading teams to the limit and Cois Fharraige despite a win in their previous outing had endured a couple of heavy defeats.

The sides exchanged points early on with Daire Davoren converting a free after the home side had missed a number chances from scoreable positions. In general the Mágh Cuilinn performance was lacklustre and when Cois Fharraige scored an early goal and proved able to take points from play, it was clear there would be no easy victory. Mágh Cuilinn ground out the points, Kian Mac Lochlann scoring from play and Daire Davoren keeping the scoreboard ticking from frees. The best of those from an acute angle, was earned by Ceillan Leonard bravely standing his ground, while his corner back, twice his size barged through him coming out with ball. At halftime Cois Fharraige were deservedly 1-05 to 0-05 ahead.

Some home truths were told at halftime, Tim McDonagh moved from corner back to corner forward to add some heft. Kian Mac Lochlann had earlier moved to the '40 to counter the most influential player on the pitch and Daniel Lydon had moved to full forward.

Tim McDonagh had an immediate impact, gaining the first two possessions and on the second he found Daniel Lydon who stepped around his man and planted the ball in the corner of the net. Cois Fharraige responded immediately and struck back with a goal of their own. Daire Davoren's free was also cancelled out by another Cois Fharraige point before Daniel Lydon won possession returned the favour to Tim McDonagh who finished to the net far more adeptly than suggested by the No 2 on his back. Again Cois Fharraige responded to first one point and then two points ahead again. Another Daire Davoren free cut the margin to one before in one of the scores of the game, Shane Clancy won hard ball near the sideline, took on his man and equalised from a difficult angle on the left.

The game entered a period of stalemate for a long period, with neither side able to wrest a score from the other, until Daniel Lydon won possession again and completed a replica of his first score to give Mágh Cuilinn a three point margin. Cois Fharraige responded again and Mágh Cuilinn retreated dangerously into defence but were able to resist a determined onslaught with the concession of only a single point. Mágh Cuilinn achieve their first win by 3-08 to 2-09.

Mágh Cuilinn: Tom O'Connor, Tim McDonagh, James Dempsey, Micheál Joyce, Andrew McDonagh, Neil Mulcahy, Aaron Connell, Gareth Kenny, Kian Mac Lochlann, Daire Davoren, Joe Lydon, Daniel Lydon, Shane Clancy, Sean Barrett, Ceillan Leonard,

Subs: Walter McDonagh for Ceillan Leonard, Evan Kenny, Daniel Faherty.