The final score line on paper looks like we were well beaten, but it was Conn Mag Aoidh who made the better use of the strong wind in the second half with a polished performance in shooting to take the win. Despite having an excellent first half we failed to convert our opportunities and going in at the break level at 0-7 to 0-7 we really had nothing to defend given the conditions.
The opening point of the game came from a Chris Gallagher from inside his own half after 2 mins, with Conor Laverty responding for the visitors. Caoimhin Rainey restored our lead with a point from out on the right after good work by Padraig Keenan and we extended the lead when Stephen Thompson finished off with a point following a series of passes involving Peter Carleton and Stephen McGivern. We then had a goal opportunity when Sean Smyth bore down on goal, only for his shot to be well saved by the Conn Mag Aoidh keeper Ronan Donnelly.
Conn Mag Aoidh struck five unanswered points, from Joseph McKay (0-2) and Conleth O’Loan (0-3, 2 frees) to take a goal advantage but we responded well and Chris Gallagher produced a masterclass of long range shooting and delivered 4 consecutive points which included a free and a 65. On the stroke of half time Darragh Donaghy equalised for the visitors 0-7 to 0-7.
Conn Mag Aoidh opened the scoring in the second half with a brace of points from Joseph McKay, but Sean Smyth replied with two of his own, his second a nice effort as he sidestepped two men and fired over the bar to level the game again. However, we were struggling to make any in roads against the strong wind and Conn Mag Aoidh hit a 20 minute purple patch, as they were clinical in their shooting picking off some nice scores including a goal from Conleth O’Loan to race into a commanding lead. Another Sean Smyth point was mere consolation as the visitors ended the game with a convincing margin of victory 0-10 to 1-21.
Scorers: Chris Gallagher 0-5, Sean Smyth 0-3, Caoimhin Rainey 0-1, Stephen Thompson 0-1
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