Senior League Round 1
Glenullin 0.12 Magherafelt 0.10
Magherafelt made their long awaited return to first division football in Derry with an away trip to Glenullin. They opted to play against the breeze in the first half and quickly opened the scoring with a good long range point from F Niblock after three minutes. Glenullin rose to the tempo of the game and equalised via a point from defender E O’Kane before P Bradley put them ahead with a good long range free. Points for Glenullin by Bradley, Mullan and O’Kane were matched by quality scores from Niblock (2) and McGlone to leave the match evenly balanced at five points each after twenty five minutes. Magherafelt finished the half the strongest with good points from Monaghan (2) and Dillon with Glenullin countering with a solidary Mullan point. Half time Glenullin 0.6 Magherafelt 0.8
Glenullin indicated their second half intentions early by moving P Bradley out to centre half forward and E Bradley from midfield to wing half forward. Then P Bradley got two early frees courtesy of Magherafelt indiscretions to equalise the match five minutes. The game picked up pace and intensity as both teams fought for every ball. Monaghan converted a free to put Magherafelt a point up but the game turned on a refereeing decision as Glenullin had a player sent off for a second yellow. Around the same time the Rossas lost influential midfielders McGlone and Monaghan through injury and illness. Glenullin took control of midfield and then took the lead courtesy of a mis-placed kick out. The game was evenly balanced going into the last ten minutes with the teams locked on ten points each.
Magherafelt had two good opportunities to move into the lead but was narrowly wide on both occasions. Glenullin had better fortune at the opposite end with two good long range pressure points from the Bradley brothers allowing them to run out two point winners. Magherafelt had solid performances in all sectors of the field but young Ryan Ferris in defence and Frank Niblock in attack were the pick of the bunch. Overall a very young Rossas side can be content with their overall application and if similar commitment continues they will pick up valuable points as the league develops. Seniors & reserves play Lavey on Easter Sunday at Rossa Park.
Team and Scorers
Barry Gillis, Joe Keenan, Barry Kerr, Ryan Ferris, Paul Purvis, Murtagh O’Brien, Darren O’Neill, Jared Monaghan (0.04 3f), Kieran McGlone (0.01), Daniel Heavron, Emmett McGuckin, Conor Smylie, Frank Niblock (0.03 1f), Chrissy Spiers (0.01), and Paul Dillon (0.01). Subs used: John Young, Shea Atchison
A young reserve team were convincingly beaten by Glenullin reserves in the opening league match. The reserves created a number of scoring chances in the opening minutes but failed to convert them. Glenullin then got to grips with the game and scored 7 unanswered points as the Rossa’s failed to score in the first half. The Rossas however started the second half brighter and grabbed a goal midway through the half courtesy of Gerard McKay. However, the young reserve side squandered a number of other chances and Glenullin ran out comfortable winners.
Team:
Oisin Kerr, Darren McGuckin, Dee Donnelly, Michael Monaghan, Kevin Purvis, Caolan Moran, Chris McGuckin, Dermot Donnelly, John Young, Shea Atchison, Gerard McKay, Kieran McKay, Ryan Murphy & Declan McErlain
