Second half goals end St. Aidan’s provincial hopes
St. Aidan's midfielder Gavin Meares being tackled by Eoghan Keavney (Ballinameen) earlier in this year's Junior A Football Championship at Ballyforan. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
A pair of second half goals from Mayo Junior A champions Ardagh were ultimately the difference, as St. Aidan’s lost out by six points this afternoon at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.
Both sides were wasteful in front of the posts, combining for 18 wides, which kept Aidan’s fighting for a result until the final whistle, however their own inaccuracies late on cost Thomas Finneran’s side.
James Carr was a notable absentee for the Mayo side which meant Tony Carey led Ardagh’s attack, returning a tally of 0-6 (two frees) that included a sweetly struck two-pointer, and he also setup his side’s first goal.
Aidan’s took a deserved 0-6 to 0-5 lead into the dressing room at the break, with Eoin Fallon striking a nice two-point free from the surface.
Ardagh persisted with a long kick passing game that returned mixed results, but it was Carey’s ball over the top that allowed wing-back Adam Naughton to find the net in the 36th minute.
It handed the Mayo club their first lead, and one they would not relinquish.
Another long ball in from Tom Varkonda caught the Aidan’s defence off guard, resulting in Cathal Kelly fouling Dylan Murphy, conceding a penalty and receiving a black card in the 53rd minute.
Lee Traynor coolly slotted home, as his side held out from a few late waves of Aidan’s attacks to emerge as six-point winners.
