Big goal from Ben

DUNDALK GAELS MATTOCK RANGERS 0-11 1-8

A late score from Ben McKenna helped Mattock Rangers rescue away to Dundalk Gaels on Friday evening.

An Emmet Masterson point looked to have won it for the hosts but they were unable to hold out and as a result they now slip to the bottom of the table on score difference.

Given the form of the sides going into this clash, it appeared that Mattock Rangers were on course for another victory to consolidate their position in second place in the table.

However, thye were never able to impose their authority on the game as a determined Gaels side battled throughout. With Eanna McArdle, Ger McSorley and Masterson on target the Dundalk side went in at the break with a 0-6 to 0-5 lead, with McKenna leading the way for the Mattock in the absence of David Reid.

The Gaels continued to have the slight edge in the second half but Mattock kept themselves in touch when substitute Ronan Kilbane got through for the only goal of the game.

Despite that score, Masterson looked to have won it for the Gaels only for McKenna to have the final say and secure a share of the spoils for his team.

DUNDALK GAELS: Michael Lambert; David McComish, Jamie Faulkner, Oisin Murray; Sean Murray 0-1, Barry Watters 0-1, David Maloney 0-1; James Stewart, Niall Hearty; Jason Clarke 0-1, Eanna McArdle 0-2, Eamon Kenny; Emmet Masterson 0-3, Gerard McSorley 0-2, Chris Sweeney. Sub: Jordan Keating for C Sweeney.

MATTOCK RANGERS: Mike Englishby; Alan Caraher, Sean Gilsenan, Cillian Hickey; Terry Donegan, Niall McKeown, Brendan Leacy; Conor Leneghan, Ryan Leneghan; Ben McKenna 0-5, Aaron O’Brien, JP Watters; Daire Englishby 0-1, James Caraher, Michael McKeown 0-2. Subs: Ronan Kilbane 1-0 for N McKeown, Daniel Bannon for T Donegan, Hugh Donnelly for C Leneghan, Adrian Reid for JP Watters, Ben Watters for J Caragher BC.