Rostrevor 1-12 Cumann Pheadair Naofa 0-20
Warrenpoint’s well-deserved victory over neighbours Rostrevor in Pettit Park proved the perfect antidote to their last outing against Ballyholland and sent them back to the top spot in the O’Neill’s Division 1 League Table, two points clear of Burren and Kilcoo.
Warrenpoint started the game brightly with a move from the throw-in that finished in a well taken point from John Boyle in the first minute of the game. Following some great defensive work from Míceal O Hare, Ross Mc Garry was pulled up for over carrying under heavy pressure and the move from the resulting free gave Rostrevor their first score from Piaras Kane. Niall Mc Govern hit The Point’s first wide of the evening and from the kick out Rostrevor put together their best move of the match from mid field they sent an incisive pass over the Warrenpoint defence to Conor Magee who made a clever move into the space on the 20 meter line and made no mistake with a super shot that gave goalkeeper Gary Mc Mahon no chance.
Ryan Boyle had a near miss with the ball coming off the post and shortly afterwards in the fifth minute Niall Mc Govern fisted the ball over the bar after a good run in from the left corner. James Rice scored from play two minutes later to restore Rostrevor’s goal lead. Jamie Grant replied with the first of his two points of the evening, a perfect left footed shot from around the 40 yard line.
The next ten minutes proved to be Rostrevor’s best of the evening and following three unanswered points, two frees from Piaras Kane and score of the game from Conal Gordan, who played as sweeper but was also dangerous in attack in the first half, kicking from the along the right sideline about 40 yards from the goal.
Rostrevor lead by 1-05 to 0-03 at the 15 minute mark. While this score should have spurred Rostrevor on it was Warrenpoint who scored the next five points, three from play; Cormac Mc Cartan, Aaron Magee and Adam Lynch and two from Ross McGarry, the first a free and the second, another highlight of the match, when he sent a sideline ball about 40 yards from the goal straight over the bar. By the 22nd minute the sides were even. James Rice converted a free for Rostrevor giving them their first score after a twelve minute gap. Míceal O’Hare was next to raise the white flag for Warrenpoint with a tremendous shot from at least 50 yards out and Rostrevor finished the half strongly with two points from play the first from Pete Magee and the last from James Rice, just before the half time whistle. The half time score was Rostrevor 1-08 Warrenpoint 0-09.
The game seemed poised for an exciting second half but that’s not how it turned out. Warrenpoint dominated the half from start to finish with solid work in defence and mid-field, they controlled the ball, patient in their build up and strong in their finishing.
The second half opened with a converted free from Ross Mc Garry followed by another fine point for Rostrevor from Conal Gordon. In the 39th minute James Rice pointed for Rostrevor and restored their lead to one goal 1-10 to 0-10. However Rostrevor were to wait over twenty minutes for their next score. Warrenpoint were now strong at the back and in mid field and moving well up front. Substitute Ruairí Mc Cormack, who replaced Eoin Henry, started the scoring route with two fine points from play this was followed by two converted frees from Ross Mc Garry in the 41st and 44th minute. John Boyle had a great point from 45 yards out in the 46th minute and Jamie Grant, who by this stage was the dominant presence in the middle of the field, followed with his second excellent long range score.
Rostrevor through the athleticism of Caolán Mooney broke through the Warrenpoint defence twice at this stage to create two goal chances the first was blasted wide by Piaras Kane and the second thwarted by a timely interception from Ryan Mc Aleenan who took a heavy hit in the process. Warrenpoint had their own goal chances too one spoiled by another pass when the goal chance was on and the second in the 23rd minute when Aaron Magee following a great build up had only the goalkeeper to beat on the 14 yard line he blasted the ball over the bar when a goal seemed certain. Mc Garry scored from play a minute later the game was all but over.
Rostrevor ended their 22 minute scoring hiatus when goalkeeper Johnny Parr converted a long range free in the 28th minute this was swiftly followed by a fine point from Warrenpoint substitute Niall Trainor, who replaced Niall Mc Govern . Thomas Mulholland completed the Rostrevor scoring with a point on the 30th minute and the game finished with a flourish from Donagh Mc Aleenan when with characteristic speed and a few shimmies he wove his way through the Rostrevor defence to score the final point of the evening.
Warrenpoint can be happy with their display and the fact that they had 11 different scorers. In a solid defence Míceal O’ Hare was impressive Jamie Grant dominated the middle of the field in the second half and the forwards all did well with substitute Ruairí Mc Cormack impressive in his shooting and the ground he covered during his second half stint , Ross Mc Garry was reliable with the frees. The victory over Rostrevor sets up another intriguing fixture against a resurgent Burren team emboldened by their victory over Kilcoo. It could be the pivotal match of the League.
Scorers: CUMANN PHEADAIR NAOFA: Ross Mc Garry (0-6), John Boyle (0-2), Jamie Grant (0-2), Aaron Magee (0-2), Ruairí Mc Cormack (0-2), Niall Mc Govern (0-1), Cormac Mc Cartan (0-1), Adam Lynch (0-1), Mícheal O’Hare (0-1), Niall Trainor (0-1), Donnagh Mc Aleenan (0-1).
ROSTREVOR: James Rice (0-4), Conor Magee (1-0), Piaras Kane (0-3), Conal Gordan (0-2), Pete Magee (0-1), Johnny Parr (0-1), Thomas Mulholland (0-1).
