Big win for Fergal Ógs over struggling Stratford

THERE was a 30-minute delay for this match as Stratford travelled to Blessington for this game as there was a late venue change. And to make matters worse for Stratford they only had 14 players to start proceedings.

Ronan Twohig kicked a splendid long range point in the third minute for Fergal Ógs. Niall Clarke pointed and Ronan Twohig hit another monster of a point moments later. A David Dixon shot on goal was saved and cleared by Ultan Rooney but David Dixon then added a point after great work by Mark Doyle.

Stratford’s Ger O Keefe put in two crucial blocks to keep the score down in the early stages while Dermot Phelan pulled a long range free wide of the posts as Stratford went in search of their opening score.

Gavin Harris added two more points for the Bray men as they upped the ante and David Dixon pointed for visitors as the half-time whistle sounded with the score 0-08 to 0-00.

Stratford manager Frank O’Neill got a lifeline when another player, Ed O’Keefe, arrived and they were able to start the second half with 15.

Nigel O’Neill missed a free before Dermot Phelan kicked a monster of a point to get the Slaneysiders off the mark.

Fergal Ógs’ Gavin Harris and Paul O’Brien each pointed as the pace of the game intensified.

Conor Humphreys scored a point after good build up play by James Barrett and Ultan Rooney pulled off a point blank double save from the boot of David Dixon. Paul O’Brien and Mark Doyle closed out the scoring for Fergal Ógs, while Nigel O’Neill kicked a long range point to finish the game.

Stratford matched Fergal Ógs with 0-03 points apiece in the second half and it could have been a different story if Stratford had 15 to start with.

While Fergal Ógs will be happy with victory, they will have to improve on their scoring chances as they tried a couple of spectacular shots for points from near impossible angles.

Stratford-Grangecon: Ultan Rooney; Paul Sleator, Alan Kealy, Declan Bollard; Shane Humphreys, Joe O’Neill, Ger O’Keefe; James Barrett, Jody Doyle; Nigel O’Neill (0-01), Dermot Phelan (001), Michael Byrne; Conor Humphreys (0-01), Kevin Bracken, Ed O’Keefe.

Fergal Ógs: John Costello; Chris Carroll, Rob Wasson, Colin Gormley; Stephen Jenkins, Pat Mullen, Ronan Twohig (0-02); Mark Doyle (0-02), Paul O’Brien (0-02); Aaron Kane, Gavan Harris (0-03), Ryan White; Jack Swinbourne, David Dixon (0-01), Niall Clarke (0-01). Subs: Cameron Griffin, John O’Toole, David Meelican.

Ref: Liam Cullen (Hollywood)