Cumann Pheadair Naofa senior footballers recorded a 1-15 to 0-09 victory over Ballymartin. The game was played in the backdrop of a beautiful setting in Ballymartin with a freshening breeze blowing from the Irish Sea. Ballymartin started the game impressively firing over the opener but Cormac McCartan levelled the scores minutes later with a fine effort.
Ballymartin hit the front once more before two points from Ross McGarry, the latter coming from a free, left the Blues with a one-point advantage; 0-3 to 0-2. Ballymartin hit two points either side of another McGarry score and the game was once again a draw and finely poised after a busy opening quarter. However, the seasiders regained the lead when Sean Gallagher raided forward for a point. This was quickly followed by a Gary Boyle score who fashioned a chance and finished off his left boot. Goalkeeper, Gary McMahon pointed from a long-range free, before Ross McGarry added two more to his impressive tally. The Blues remained in the ascendency with a James Heaney point and stretched their advantage to seven when Donagh McAleenan finished beautifully over the bar with an outside of the boot effort from the right-hand side of the field for Cumann Pheadair Naofa’s seventh consecutive score. Ballymartin had the final say in the half however, finishing the half strongly with two unanswered points. The half-time score read; Cumann Pheadair Naofa 0-11; Ballymartin 0-6.
The Lilywhites came racing out of the blocks in the second half with two super scores to leave just three between the sides. The Blues responded well with three scores in a row, two from the excellent Ross McGarry and the latter coming from an industrious James Heaney. Ballymartin reduced the margin to five, with a nice point, with fifteen minutes remaining on the clock. Gary McMahon pointed brilliantly from a free near the right side-line from all of 50 yards. Minutes later Jamie Grant smashed the ball to the roof of the Ballymartin net which was to be the last score of the game. The Blues closed the game out efficiently in the final five minutes. The final score was, Cumann Pheadair Naofa 1-15; Ballymartin 0-09.
Cumann Pheadair Naofa will be heartened by this strong display, with excellent performances from Gary McMahon between the sticks, a composed Cormac McCartan at centre-half back, Ryan Boyle in midfield, as well as a great ball-winning performance from Johnny Murchan. To add to this, Ross McGarry was ruthless in front of goal and was rewarded with 0-8 (0-2 frees) for his exceptional display. This result leaves Cumann Pheadair Naofa in 9th position in the league on 15 points. Next up for the Blues is an away trip to Castlewellan on Saturday 10th September where they will look to continue this winning form.
