Cumann Pheadair Naofa Senior Footballers were defeated by reigning champions Eoghan Rua Kilcoo on a scoreline of 2-13 to 0-10 under the illuminating floodlights of Páirc Esler on Sunday 29th August. The Magpies opened the scoring after two minutes of play before Ryan Boyle responded for the Blues minutes later with a fine score which capped off an incisive break down the right flank. The large Páirc Esler crowd had to wait five more minutes before Kilcoo added another. This score was once again cancelled out by the seasiders with a fisted effort from midfielder Paul Og Carty. The Eoghan Rua men kicked themselves into a one point lead two minutes later. However, two unanswered scores from Donagh McAleenan and James Heaney left the Blues with a slender one point advantage after the first quarter; 0-4 to 0-3. Kilcoo came roaring and showed their worth as reigning champions, reeling off 1-3 without reply opening up a five-point lead. Ryan Mallon pointed for the Blues before the sides headed for the dressing rooms with Kilcoo leading 1-06 to 0-05.
Paul Devlin opened the scoring in the second half with a nice left-footed free for the Magpies. Warrenpoint’s half back line drove forward to add two scores from captain Ryan Boyle and Ryan Magee respectively to cut the deficit to three. Kilcoo restored their four-point advantage but Donagh McAleenan kept the seasiders in touch with a fisted score. Again Kilcoo stretched their lead but the industrious Donagh McAleenan managed to find another point from play to leaves the Blues trailing by three points entering the final ten minutes. However, it was Kilcoo who seized the initiative hitting two consecutive points, before Darragh O’Hanlon all but ended the contest when he blasted the ball into the top left corner of Gary McMahon’s net. Both sides exchanged points to leave the scoreline reading Kilcoo 2-13, Cumann Pheadair Naofa 0-10. It was at this point that the referee called a halt to the match.
Despite the disappointing result, the Blues can take great heart from an outstanding performance from John Boyle as well as strong performances from Ryan Boyle, Ciaran McCartan, Ryan McAleenan and indeed the whole defence. Donagh McAleenan gave a creative display which was rewarded with three points from play. Cumann Pheadair Naofa will now turn their attention to the league, best wishes to Ciaran McCartan who suffered a leg injury in the dying minutes of the game.
