MON 23 JUNE 08 MAGHERY SEAN MAC DERMOTTS GAC Match Report: Maghery v Mullaghbawn Our senior team took on Mullaghbawn on Sunday afternoon at Felix Hamill Park. The home-side got off to the better start, logging two points after 3 minutes of play, thanks to accurate shooting from Paul Forker and Eamon Robinson. Mullaghbawn had drawn even by the 15th minute, with the scoreboard reading two points each. An on-form Conor Forker (3) and defender Stephen Cusack (1) added further points for the MacDermott's over the next 10 minutes, giving Maghery a comfortable lead of four points. Mullaghbawn pulled one back with a free kick before Seamus Forker added another for the loughsiders after good play out field by Cusack and Lappin and David Lavery, who it's great to see back in action after recovering from a bad knee injury. Forker scored again a minute later, extending Maghery's lead to 1 goal and 4 points. The visitors hit over two more just before the interval, and Seamus Forker hit his third consecutive point as the whistle blew for the break. HALF TIME SCORE: MAGHERY 1 - 08 MULLAGHBAWN 0 - 05 A revived Mullaghbawn team came out to start their second half with all guns blazing. The south Armagh side scored five unanswered points on the trot, putting themselves right back in the game and effectively reducing Maghery's lead to the minimum. Then came a very dubious Mullaghbawn 'goal'. It was a case of was it or wasn't it. With a flurry of activity in the Maghery square, the referee adjudicated from 30 yards out that the ball had passed over the Maghery goal line and so a 3-pointer was awarded. Now the home-side found themselves behind for the first time in the game, by two points. The following kick-out found its way directly into the hands of a Mullaghbawn player who promptly launched a high ball back into the Maghery square and this time there was no disputing a well taken 13th minute goal. Two goals in as many minutes for Mullaghbawn left Maghery facing a deficit of five going into the final quarter of the game and facing an up-hill battle. And battle they did. The entire team lifted themselves and not only embarked on a scoring spree but defended so well that Mullaghbawn never got another score during the remainder of play. Talk about a game of two halves, well this was certainly a half of two quarters. The MacDermott's kicked over in the 14th (free), 20th, 23rd (free), 27th (free) and 29th minutes to level the game. And when a splendid 31st minute high free kick curled in just the right side of the far upright and over the Mullaghbawn bar, it was the icing on the cake for a magnificent Maghery come-back and well deserved victory for the men in blue and yellow. FINAL SCORE: MAGHERY 1 - 14 MULLAGHBAWN 2 - 10 ACL DIVISION 1 FIXTURE Maghery are at home to Cullaville on Friday evening (27th June) 'THE LARRYBO CUSACK AND ROLO CORR TOURNAMENT' Another year and another very successful and enjoyable youth tournament took place on Saturday at Felix Hamill Park. Teams from Wolfe Tones, Madden, St Paul's, St Mary's Aghagallon, St John's Annaghmore, Derrytresk and hosts Maghery took part in our annual 'Larrybo and Rolo Memorial Tournament'. The cold and damp weather didn't take away from the great spirit that enveloped the games, during which all players and mentors displayed excellent sportsmanship. As usual, Dixie Robinson made sure the days proceedings went over smoothly and effectively. He was ably assisted by his team of helpers and our club secretary Claire Forker. The club extends a huge thank-you to these members for all the hard work that went into making this annual tournament such an all-round success. A special word of mention and thanks to the main sponsor of this tournament, Forkers Peat Products. How the teams fared: THE LARRYBO CUP Group A teams played out their matches as follows: Maghery v St Pauls (Maghery win) St Johns v St Marys (St Marys win) Maghery v St Johns (Maghery win) St Marys v St Pauls (St Marys win) Maghery v St Marys (Maghery win) St Pauls v St Johns (St Johns win) Group B teams played out their matches as follows: St Peters v Derrytresk (St Peters win) Madden v Wolfe Tones (Wolfe Tones win) Derrytresk v Madden (Madden win) Wolfe Tones v St Peters (Wolfe Tones win) Derrytresk v Wolfe Tones (Wolfe Tones win) St Peters v Madden (St Peters win) Then it was on to the semi final stage, with the winners of Group A (Maghery) playing the runners up of Group B (St Peters). This was a very competitive game with a great display of football served up by both teams. Unfortunately for the host side, they fell short by just a point to the Lurgan children, who progressed to the final with this narrow victory. Semi-final number two was played out by the winners of Group B and the runners up of Group A, namely Wolfe Tones and St Marys Aghagallon respectively. The two teams provided another highly contested game, with the Derrymacash children eventually emerging comfortable winners. And so the stage was set for an all-Lurgan showdown between St Peters and Wolfe Tones. And it was 'The Tones' who did better on the day and put their name on the 'Larrybo Cusack Cup'. The cup was presented to the winning captain by a very proud Mrs Bernie Cusack, wife of the late Larrybo, who was in attendance with her two sons, senior team players Stephen and Eamon, daughter Nicola, and the newest edition to the Cusack clan, grandson Ronan. Both the winning team and the runners up had their trophies and medals presented to them by Maghery and Armagh player, Stefan Forker. THE ROSEMARY CORR CUP Teams from St Pauls, St Peters, Wolfe Tones and Maghery took part in this competition. St Pauls won their game against St Peters, but couldn't get by Maghery or Wolfe Tones. St Peters drew with Wolfe Tones in their first match, but were edged out in their other two games by Maghery and St Pauls. Wolfe Tones experienced all 3 possible results - a win over St Pauls, a defeat by Maghery, and a draw with St Peters. To the delight of the local supporters, a composed Maghery team played exceptionally well and won all of their games comfortably. And so it was on to the semis, with the first between Maghery and St Pauls and the other between St Peters and Wolfe Tones. It was Maghery who got the better of St Pauls and Wolfe Tones out-scored St Peters. For the first time in 5 years, since this competition was first held, Maghery won 'The Rolo Cup' and in doing so denied a gallant Tones side from completing a tournament double. The cup was presented to the winning captain by Rolo's sister Cathy, and niece Katie McCann, with Frances, Rosemary's mother, looking on proudly. WELL PLAYED AND MANY THANKS TO ALL PARTICIPATING TEAMS FOR PROVIDING A VERY ENTERTAINING MORNING AND AFTERNOON OF GAELIC FOOTBALL. GAELIC WEEK PARADE - SATURDAY 28 JUNE Alongside our North Armagh kinship, Maghery Sean MacDermott's will participate in the grande finale of Gaelic Week. This will take place on Saturday 28, and will take the form of a Mass at St Peter's Church (12 noon), followed by a major parade through Lurgan led by 'The Artane Boys Band' to Davitt Park for an open-air concert. Maghery GAC is providing free transport to this historic event. Coaches will leave the social club at 11.45 sharp, so as we as a club can take up our positions behind our float for the parade through Lurgan. It is imperative that all available members turn out on Saturday in our club colours/crest to take part; players, past players, committee members past and present, all affiliated with Maghery football club, and youth members. It is asked that anyone who wishes to travel on the club buses should leave their name behind the social club bar (38 852408) no later than Friday afternoon. Our youth members are also asked to attend, and we encourage parents to come along with their child/ren. If a child is attending without a parent please ensure that a permission form has been signed and returned before Saturday (available in clubrooms or through the primary school). SOCIAL CLUB ENTERAINMENT Saturday 28 June: Club Monthly Draw. Music by Easystreet. Drinks promotion between 9 and 10pm (t-shirts and other prizes on offer). BBQ food on sale. Friday 4 July: GAA Talk-Night. Join top GAA personalities as they preview the Ulster Final. Admission by ticket only. Tickets on sale in clubrooms, limited amount. Saturday 5 July: BBQ food will be served between 5 and 10pm. (Over 35 Tournament). Music by Bakersfield BIG LOUGH SUNDAY COMMUNITY FESTIVAL Thursday 3 July, 6.30 - 8pm. Gaelic Football Skills 7 - 12 years Ulster Council, Armagh, Tyrone Coaches/Players present Admission free; Application forms available from St Mary's PS and GAA club MONSTER BINGO in Hall - commencing 7.30pm. Friday 4 July, 7 - 8.30pm GAA Club - Ulster Championship Final Preview Night, Tickets £3, available from social club. Murray's Funfair, 7pm, GAA Grounds Saturday 5 July Over 35 Tournament Final - Could all participating teams please note the tournament will begin with a 5pm throw-in. BBQ food served 5 - 10pm Music by Bakersfield in Social Club Murray's Funfair - all day Sunday 6 July BIG LOUGH SUNDAY Penalty Kicks and Free Kicks Competition - Would all participating clubs please note that this event will take place at 4pm in the gaelic field. Age categories are Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18. Please strip out in your club colours for this competition. FUTURE ARMAGH STARS - BEN CREALEY AND JOHN MACKLE Ben Crealey and John Mackle, two P7 pupils at St Mary's Primary School Maghery and youth members of Maghery GAC, were recently chosen to play for Armagh in the Cumann na mBunscoil exhibition games which take place at half time during Armagh league and championship matches. Both Ben and John did themselves and their families, school and club proud when they took to the field in the orange and white of the orchard county, putting in sterling performances. We are sure this is only the beginning of prolific careers in the county jersey for these young gaels! Well played Ben and John. GAELTACHT SUBSIDIES Any youth member in the community who is planning on attending the Gaeltacht this summer, please contact club officials asap to enquire about subsidies. Tweet

Most Read Stories