Cumann Pheadair Naofa senior footballers were defeated against a strong Castlewellan side on a fine afternoon in Castlewellan. The Blues started brightly with Ross McGarry and Johnny Murchan firing over the opening two scores to open up a two point lead for the seasiders. However, Castlewellan responded impressively and began to exert their influence on the game, hitting 1-06 without reply. Ross McGarry sent a long-range curling shot over the black spot, but this was momentary respite for Warrenpoint as Castlewellan added four more points before the break. The half-time score read, Castlewellan 1-10; Cumann Pheadair Noafa 0-03.
Cumann Pheadair Naofa emerged from the dressing rooms with renewed purpose and again McGarry found the opening score of the half. Castlewellan hit back with two more fine efforts before McGarry and Ryan Boyle added two well-finished scores for the Blues. Castlewellan reeled off three without reply before an Aaron Magee score cut the deficit to eleven. Castlewellan found another point to stretch their lead. It was at this moment that Jamie Grant entered the fray. Donagh McAleenan showed his awareness and guile to intercept a Castlewellan kick-out and fisted sideways where Jamie Grant was on hand to finish to the net. Remarkably, the next score of the game was another great Grant goal in which he executed a powerful drive into the corner of the Castlewellan net. Cumann Pheadair Naofa added to two more scores to leave the margin at four. The Blues managed to carve another opening and Jamie Grant was unlucky not to complete his hat-trick. Moments later, the referee called a halt to proceedings with the final score, Castlewellan 1-16; Cumann Pheadair Naofa 2-09.
The Blues can take great heart from a spirited second half display which yielded 2-06. In addition to Jamie Grant who made a significant impact on the game, there were some excellent performances from Ryan McAleenan and Patrick Murdock in defence. Cumann Pheadair Naofa will hope to build on the positives of the second half when they play Castlewellan again in a home fixture on Friday 17 September.
