Bective 3-10
Boardsmill 1-7
Bective got the better of Boardsmill at Skryne on Friday night to make it two wins from two in the Junior Football Championship.
The game took place just five days after both sides won their first round matches, Bective having got past Curraha and Boardsmill enjoying a six-point win over Moylagh.
There were two changes for Bective, with corner back Ben Malone having returned to Germany and wing forward Paul McCabe failing a late fitness test. Into the side came veteran Brian Hogge and Pauric McConnell.
With a 100 per cent record on the line,it was expected that every contest would be keenly fought and so it proved - the final margin of victory should not mask the fact that Boardsmill brought a huge amount to the table to make it a ferocious physical battle for the full hour.
Bective found their stride early and Ciaran Breslin's goal, after great work from Cathal McConnell and Brian Cantwell, combined with points from McConnell and Marty Mulhall opened up a 1-3 to 0-0 lead.
Boardsmill hit three without reply to get right back in it and missed a goal chance too but Bective finished the half the stronger to go in seven points (1-7 to 0-3) in front.
Boardsmill started the second half well, with substitute Charlie Bird making an impact, but a magnificent solo goal from midfielder Mark O'Brien, who solo-dummied his way through the defence before hammering low past the Boardsmill keeper, looked like sealing the deal.
However, a sloppy goal and a couple of Boardsmill points later, the margin was down to just five (2-8 to 1-6) with ten minutes left. Cathal McConnell's late goal and a sensational long-range point from O'Brien - who ended the game with 1-2 from play and also forced a fine stop from the Boardsmill keeper - gave Bective breathing space at the final whistle.
Best for Bective were Mark O'Brien, Colin O'Rourke, Craig Roche and Brian Hogge.
Bective: Shane Breslin; Dara Maguire, Jack Grant, Brian Hogge; Craig Roche, Ciaran McConnell, Colin O'Rourke; Mark O'Brien (1-2), Ciaran Reilly; Pauric McConnell, Marty Mulhall (0-5, three frees), Brian Cantwell (0-2); Paul Lyness, Ciaran Breslin (1-0), Cathal McConnell (1-1).
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