Duffry jump above Ferns
DUFFRY ROVERS recorded their first win and jumped above opponents Ferns St. Aidan’s in Group B of the Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate football championship in Farmleigh on Sunday.
Although they were win-less before the game, they were also unbeaten, having registered draws in their opening two games. This five-point victory now puts them in a very strong positon with two group games to play.
It was an impressive first-half which laid the foundations for their win.
After Ryan Nolan’s early Ferns point, they fired their way into control of the game with a goal in the fourth minute. Michael Bowler and Robert Frayne linked up before Niall Beggan finished into the roof of the net.
They dominated the remainder of the half, outscoring Ferns by seven points to two. Beggan and John Dunne both registered twice while Gavin Watchorn, Stephen Watchorn and Cian Fitzhenry all pitched in with singles.
Ferns St. Aidan’s only response came via points by Niall Murphy and Ciarán Roberts, as they trailed by 1-7 to 0-3 at the break.
The second-half started just as the first had, with a Ferns point and a Duffry goal. Roberts kicked over his second before Beggan finished low with his left foot, leaving a gap between the sides that Ferns could not overturn.
However, they did try their best. Ivan Meegan added their fifth score but Roberts and Chris Turner blazed their two best goal chances over the crossbar.
Meanwhile, Beggan and Gavin Watchorn had added points to Rovers’ tally to keep themselves at arm’s length, as they spent the majority of their time defending in their own half.
By the time substitute Willie Bolger finally broke through and ruined the Duffry’s clean sheet, it was too little, too late.
His bouncing shot found its way past ‘keeper Cathal Clince in the 57th minute to narrow the deficit to four points (2-9 to 1-8), before Gavin Watchorn got the game’s final score as he ensured a fivepoint Duffry win.
Duffry Rovers: Cathal Clince; Thomas Dunne, Conor Jordan, Liam Pender; Aidan Byrne (capt.), Feargal Kenny, John Dunne (0-2); Seamus Doyle, Gavin Watchorn (0-3); Glenn Rafter, Robert Frayne, Stephen Watchorn (0-1 free); Cian Fitzhenry (0-1), Michael Bowler, Niall Beggan (2-3, 0-1 free). Subs. - Craig Casey for Kenny (31), John McCarthy for Doyle (49).
Ferns St. Aidan’s: Ivan Meegan (0-1 free); Brian O’Neill, Declan Byrne, Keith Breen; Niall Murphy (0-1), Pádraig Bolger, Peter Nolan (capt.); Patrick Breen, Ciarán Roberts (0-3); John Breen, James Lawlor, Derek Thorpe; Ryan Nolan (0-1), Jonny Dwyer, Christopher O’Connor. Subs. - Ian Byrne for P. Nolan (31), Willie Bolger (1-1) for Lawlor (37), Chris Turner (01) for J. Breen (37), Jamie Whelan for Thorpe (53).
Referee: Brendan Holohan (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown).