As Required By Intermediate on Saturday

Post date: Jul 14, 2014 7:11:23 PM

Mágh Cuilinn did what was required and kept further progress in the Intermediate Championship in their own hands (to a degree). They must wait until next weekend for the result of the Cappataggle/Kilconieron game to see what the position for the final round of games is. Anything other than a win against Cappataggle might see Mágh Cuilinn out of the Championship and should Cappataggle win by a substantial margin at the weekend that win might have to be by a particular margin to the secure a spot in the knockout phase.

Although playing against a stiff breeze early on, Magh Cuilinn gave supporters cause for worry as Oranmore-Maree with Niall Burke and Eoin Fitzgerald causing problems in attack quickly established a 5 point total with nothing in reply. However, the tension was relieved when Christopher Hurney having earlier shown ability to win ball, now did so in a dangerous position on the right and gave veteran Ritchie Burke no chance in dispatching to the net.

Oranmore Maree did respond and extended their tally to 7 points. Niall Burke was punishing every infringement with unerring accuracy from frees and although Eanna Noone matched his accuracy, unforced infringements (catching three times, picking the ball off the ground and overcarrying) gave Burke a larger canvass. Mágh Cuilinn ground their way into the game ekking out point mostly from placed balls but with Pat and Philip Lydon also contributing. Sensing the required distance was not being achieved with the elements, Niall Burke went for a goal from a 20 metre free but the shot was deflected over the bar. Late in the half Eric Fox was alert to the low trajectory of another 20m effort and saved from above the bar, allowing the ball to be cleared and for another Mágh Cuilinn point to secure a single point deficit at half time. 1-06 to 0-10.

Eoin Fitzgerald scored first for Oranmore Maree on the resumption guiding in a beautiful effort with hardly any backswing off his left from 45m at the cover descended. With Mark Lydon storming into the game Mágh Cuilinn gradually worked their was to parity. Eanna was continuing to be accurate from frees and Phiip Lydon and Martin Mulkerins added from play. Andrew Hurney almost jinked his way in from the right for a goal before being hauled down. Eanna Noone drove the resultant penalty over the bar. Conor Noone had just been introduced and won a free with his first touch which Noone had also converted. He (Conor) now tacked on his own score from play and Seamus Conneely moved to wing back in the substitution popped up to score also. Eanna Noone hit a huge point from well inside his own half to put Mágh Cuilinn two points ahead. Then, Eanna Noone trotted across to the left to hit a sideline cut and his superbly struck effort soared straight into the heart of the Oranmore goal and Oranmore hearts sank as the net lifted. Magh Cuilinn pushed the lead out to six points but Oranmore Maree were'nt done, Eoin Fitzgerald tempted Eric Fox from goal with a ball from the left but a touch from Seán McInerney rushing in from right saw the ball sneak wide of the left hand post. However, in the 5 minutes of added time, Niall Burke found himself on the end of a slick passing movement and goalled confidently to reduce the margin to three. Niall Mannion eschewed a straightforward "insurance" point to try to put Chris Hurney in for an immediate response but the pass skidded on the fast ground, taking Hurney away from goal and extended squeaky bum time for another minute of two. Final score 2-17 to 1-17.