St Mary’s boost

ST MARYS DREADNOT 2-22 3-8

THE Dreadnots relinquished top spot with a loss to the Marys as the Ardee side gave their chances of a top four finish a real shot in the arm. It was the recent Paddy Sheelan Cup winners, St Marys that got off to the best possible start against one of the bookies championship favourites the Dreadnots when midfielder Robbie Leavy kicked a long ball in only for it to drop in over the keeper and into the back of the net.

Mark Fay and Brendan Matthews added points to the Marys score but the Clogher lads responded with a Padraig Smith goal to leave it 1-2 to 1-0 to the Marys. Fergal Diamond’s point was cancelled out by a James Califf point of their own before Dean Matthew and John Bingham extended the Marys lead to leave it 1-6 to 1-1 with 17 minutes gone. A goal from a Smith penalty cut the gap to two points but the Marys finished the half on top and stretched the lead to 1-12 to 2-3 at the short whistle.

Dean Matthews started the second half scoring for the Marys with a point from play. The Clogher men did get another point only for Bingham in his unusual midfield position to hit back immediately.

Dreadnots kept their heads up and got another point but they couldn’t stop the Ardee men and with the introduction of Paudy Clarke after 45 minutes the Marys kicked on who got a point with his first touch.

Evan Keenan got up the pitch to score a point from his centre half back position putting the Ardee men eight points clear. Points for Paudy Clarke and sub Ronan Carroll really put the game to bed