Cumann Pheadair Naofa Senior Footballers recorded a 1-13 to 0-10 victory over Saval in the Down ACL Division 1. The game was played in a sporting manner in Pairc Liam Uí Ír on Friday evening last, 28 August and despite monsoon-like showers preceeding the game, the standard of football on show was high. Before the throw-in a minute’s silence was held for the late Conall Havern. May he rest in peace.
CPN opened the scoring through a Donagh McAleenan free in the 2nd minute, before Saval hit back with three unanswered points of their own as they took a foothold in midfield. Donagh McAleenen once again pointed from a free before Niall Trainor hit the net to give the Blues a slender 1-2 to 0-3 lead midway through the first half. Both teams exchanged three points apiece to leave the game finely balanced at 1-5 to 0-6 after 22 minutes. Conor Cole and Donagh McAleenan hit two unanswered points but Saval found a score of their own in what would be the final kick of the first half. The teams marched to the dressing rooms with CPN holding a three point lead; 1-7 to 0-7.
The Blues came storming out of the blocks after the interval with Paul Traynor and Ryan Mallon dominating the midfield exchanges. Indeed, the seasiders found their range with four answered scores from Ruairi Cowan, Caolan McLoughlin, Paul Traynor and goalkeeper, Gary McMahon leaving the score 1-11 to 0-7 heading into the final quarter. The sides exchanged two scores before Saval rounded off the scoring with a fine point in the 57th minute with the final score reading Cumann Pheadair Naofa 1-13 Saval 0-10.
The young ‘Point team can draw many positives from a great evening’s work, with a collective team performance. However, there were also some individual performances catching the eye, with Gary McMahon excelling in goals, performing a ‘sweeper-keeper’ like role and even kicking a beautiful placed ball over the bar. Corner backs Cormac McCartan and Stephen Monaghan were assured at the back, while John Boyle anchored the defence with some clever and incisive passes. Conor Cole got up from defence to land a first-half score. Paul Traynor produced a great performace in midfield, providing a point, and Donagh McAleenan spearheaded the attack, contributing 0-6. Niall Trainor was a thorn in the Saval defence and got the all-important goal that gave the blues a cushion.
The result leaves CPN joint third in the league table with one game remaining having accumulated 17 points. To conclude their league campaign, the young CPN team will travel to Glenn on the 3rd October.
Scorers: D McAleenan 0-6, N Trainor 1-0, John Boyle, J Grant, C Cole, R Cowan, C McLoughlin, G McMahon and P Traynor all contributing 0-1.
