Arva 0-7
Ballymachugh 0-7

Ballymachugh and Arva met on Friday evening last with both teams determined to get a victory that would push them further up the league table. In a game that was stop-start from beginning until the end, it was the visitors with the advantage of a strong wind that got the ball rolling with Killian Smith firing over within 30 seconds. It didn't take Arva long to get their name on the scoreboard either with Ciaran Brady bursting forward from the half back line to make it a point apiece after 3 minutes. Smith and James McElarney both kicked wides before Smith was able to make amends with his second point of the evening after fantastic play by Richard Fitzsimons in midfield. Cian Sheridan then kicked wide for the home outfit before James Kiernan judged the wind perfectly to convert a 40 metre free in the 14th minute. Kiernan repeated the trick four minutes later except this time he found his range from even further out to stretch the lead to 3 points. With Fitzsimons helping out his defence and working hard around the middle Arva found chances hard to come by. However, with a number of long periods of stoppages due to injuries the pace of the game slowed down considerably with neither side able to add to their tally before the half time whistle.

Half time score Arva 0-1 Ballymachugh 0-4

With Arva now with the wind in their favour, they set about reducing the three point gap with intent early on. Within three minutes of the restart the minimum of margins was between the sides thanks to a point each from Brian Ellis and Peter Morris. Ballymachugh were quick to reply though, with Kiernan sending over another free in the 38th minute. Kiernan and Padraig Galligan then worked the ball superbly up the field before Kiernan wasted a golden opportunity to fire the ball to the back of the net when his shot went agonisingly wide. However, Kiernan was still able to pick himself up to get his third point three minutes later after Killian Smiths excellent cross field ball. The three point gap didn't last very long with Kevin Bouchier replying instantly before Peter Morris split the posts from 30 metres in the 47th minute. Five minutes later the scores were deadlocked thanks to another free from Bouchier. Both teams then failed to gain the initiative with wides kicked at both ends of the field. The move of the game was then produced in the second minute of injury time with Philip and Brian Donohoe, Padraig Galligan and Stephen Harten all involved before Kiernan put the finishing touches on it to put his side a point up. Arva refused to concede defeat and a minute later Bouchier sealed the opportunity to earn a share of the spoils for the home team.

Arva Team

John Kiernan, Stephen Ellis, Sean McManus, Shane Finnegan, Thomas Brady, James Morris, Ciaran Brady (0-1), Dermot McGlade, Cian Sheridan, Conal Sheridan, Peter Morris (0-2), Brian Ellis (0-1), Jonathan McCabe, Kevin Bouchier (0-3), Paul Brady.

Ballymachugh Team

Darren Lynch, Vincent Ellis, Brendan McElarney, Diarmaid O"Reilly, Finbar Sheridan, Brian Donohoe, James McElarney, Philip Donohoe, Padraig Sheridan, Christopher Rooney, James Kiernan (0-4), Richard Fitzsimons (0-1), Padraig Galligan, Killian Smith (0-2), Barry Kiernan. Subs used Gavin Smith, Paddy Baxter, Stephen Harten. Tweet

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