SFC: Mary's demolish Geraldines
July 14, 2014
Ardee St Marys Darren Clarke
GERALDINES 0-9
St Marys turned in a superb performance in the last 20 minutes blow away the challenge of Geraldines in this Senior Championship clash at Dunleer on Friday evening.
The game was delicately poised for the opening half and it was difficult to predict a winner as that pattern continued early in the second half. When Barry Hamilton landed a point for the Gers in the 37th minute, it was looking good for the reigning Intermediate champions as they went 0-9 to 0-8 in front.
However, the outlook changed dramatically over the next ten minutes as the Marys struck 1-6 without reply to take complete command and went on to record a comfortable win against a shell-shocked Geraldines outfit.
The game had begun with the Gers first off the mark through Shane O'Hanlon only for Donal Matthews to level on five minutes.
The Ardee men then took control and with Darren Clarke, Alan Kirk, Cian Moran and RJ Callaghan among the scorers, they went 0-6 to 0-2 in front. However, the Gers dragged themselves back into contention as Josh Arrowsmith and Barry Hamilton points helped them trail by just 0-7 to 0-5 at half time.
The game then turned in the Haggardstown men's favour as they levelled matters at eight points each before Hamilton's point put them ahead on 37 minutes.
Just as the Gers supporters were dreaming of victory, St Marys moved up a gear and Darren Clarke's 48th minute goal put them 1-14 to 0-9 in front.
Substitute Ryan Rooney added a second goal on 56 minutes followed by points from Paudy Clarke and Mary Duffy to seal a comfortable win.
ST MARYS: Duane Crosby; David Carroll, John Bingham, Barry Faulkner; Niall Eccles, RJ Callaghan, Karl Faulkner; Donal Matthews 0-2, Robbie Leavy; Cian Moran 0-2, Ronan Carroll 0-3, Alan Kirk 0-1; Paudy Clarke 0-1, Darren Clarke 1-6, Niall Caroll. Subs: Jamie Rooney for B Faulkner, Ryan Rooney 1-0 for A Kirk, Marty Duffy 0-1 for C Moran.
GERALDINES: Nathaniel Cooney; Ryan Trainor, James Craven, Tiarnan Hand; Kevin Pepper, Gerard Hoey, Gareth Neacy; Michael Rogers, Nicky Mackin; Dara Hamill, Stephen Reidy, Johnny Breen; Josh Arrowsmith 0-2, Shane O'Hanlon 0-5, Barry Hamilton 0-2. Subs: Sean Watters for R Trainor (BC), Matthew Corcoran for J Arrowsmith, Paddy Geogheghan for K Pepper, Cathal O'Brien for M Rogers. Tweet
