Minors Win Opening 2016 Championship Game

Post date: Mar 30, 2016 5:27:23 PM

Mágh Cuilinn 0-11

Annaghdown 1-05

The players in this clash got the worst end of the weekend weather on Easter weekend at Annaghdown. Gale like conditions mixed with rain made play difficult with both sides finding scores hard to come by. Mágh Cuilinn had the benefit of the fierce wind in the first half and they could be somewhat disappointed in their first have tally of 8 points while restricting Annaghdown to two. A late burst which included a long range point from Dara Davoren and Joe Lydon having taken over the long range frees landing two.

When turning over, Magh Cuilinn were initially the team putting the pressure on but it was Annaghdown who scored first. A long range free travelling all the way to the net in the driving rain proved how fragile the half-time lead. In what was probably there best period in the game. Mágh Cuilinn took the game to the home side and Shane Clancy divided two superb scores from play with a steady conversion from a free sorely won by Tom O'Connor. While the play was end to end, Mágh Cuilinn's task was more difficult going forward. Annaghdown continued to chip away at the advantage with two from play and a single pointed free. As the game entered the 5 minutes of added (Sean Barrett left the field with a nasty cut over the eye) time, Annaghdown pushed for goal, Owen Hester saving what might have been a penalty but only resulted in a 20m free. The defence had to deal with a second 20m effort but stood firm and it was Mágh Cuilinn who were on the attack when the final whistle sounded.

Mágh Cuilinn: Owen Hester, Tim McDonagh, James Dempsey, Aaron Connell, Gareth Kenny, Ciarán Scully, Jamie Cox, Dara Davoren, Joe Lydon, Seán Barrett, Neil Mulcahy, Evan Kenny, Tom O'Connor, Walter McDonagh, Shane Clancy.

Subs: Cillian Davoren, Ceillan Leonard,