MC ELVANEY’S WASTE & RECYCLING INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
Inniskeen 2-14, Donaghmoyne 3-10.
A goal from a penalty deep into injury time saw Inniskeen snatch the narrowest of victories over Donaghmoyne in this tough, hard hitting contest in the recently refurbished Magheracloone Mitchell’s venue on Saturday evening last. Contests between these near neighbours are always competitive and this one had a strong competitive edge but was generally played in a good spirit until the final stages. In the early stages Inniskeen had got off to the better start and were 4 points ahead after just 9 minutes as Donaghmoyne struggled to find their rhythm. 3 points still separated the sides going into the final 5 minutes of normal time in the 1st half when Donaghmoyne then plundered a goal that levelled matters and went on to take the narrowest of leads at the break, 1-6 to 0-8. Inniskeen rallied in the 3rd quarter to again go in front but were then hit with a two-goal salvo inside a minute to turn the game completely on its head and make for a very fractious, frenetic finish. A goal for Inniskeen brought them right back into it after the introduction of super sub David Garland had helped Donaghmoyne to take the initiative and it looked as if the Fontenoys had done enough when they led by 2 points 2 minutes into stoppage time. There then followed an incident after a foul on Colm Meegan that saw Donaghmoyne’s Ronan McDonald black carded and both sides then reduced to 14 players with the red card dismissal of Gavin Dooley, Inniskeen, and Cillian Coleman, Donaghmoyne, but further controversy awaited with Inniskeen being awarded a penalty following a scramble in the Donaghmoyne goal area and Paul Meegan firing home from the spot to give Inniskeen the narrowest of victories. Prior to the start a minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect to the late Paddy Mulholland, former chairman and player with Inniskeen and the late Rita Lennon. Teams and Scorers: Inniskeen: Padraig Dowdall, Cormac Boylan, Francis McArdle, Anthony Keenan 0-1, Eugene McArdle, Matthew McKenna 0-2, Colm Meegan, Gerard McArdle 1-1, Shane Woods 0-2, Michael Monaghan, Gavin Dooley, Michael Fitzpatrick, Donal Meegan 0-3, Paul Meegan 1-3 (1-0p,3f), Pat Meegan 0-1. Subs: Ronan Meegan 0-1 for Pat Meegan (Black Card), Trevor Hilliard for E McArdle.
Donaghmoyne: Shane Garland, Shane Kelly, Christopher Deery, Fergal Keenan 0-1, Stephen Finnegan, Bernard Kelly, Mikey Monaghan, Niall Keenan, Francis Markey 0-1, Shane McElroy 2-1, Padraig Donaghy 0-1, Cillian Coleman 0-1, Darren Coleman, Ronan McDonald 0-4 (3f), Seamus Markey. Subs: David Garland 1-1 for S Kelly, John Farrell for R McDonald (Black Card). Referee: Donal Connolly (Scotstown).
By Mary McEneaney Mon 22nd Aug