Stroll in the park

Sports reporter after some fine work through the middle from Seamus McGraynor and Eamon Kearns.

McGraynor and Kearns both notched up a number of marks during the course of the game but unfortunately for the Rathdrum men the ball was coming back past them all too quickly after this.

John McGrath added a free on three minutes before the first of an amazing eleven goals was scored by Peter Dowling who was set up by Adam Fleming.

Heaslip added another point before Dowling scored his second major by throwing a dummy pass and driving into the corner of the Avondale net.

A lot of Baltinglass’ goals in the opening half all came in a similar fashion. Rapid breaks from their full back line out to midfield where their capable middle 8 were able to pick passes over the top with an ocean of space between the 45 and the Avondale goal.

Dowling turned provider on one such move on ten minutes to get one on one with the full back before nicking the ball over to an unmarked Sean O’Brien to fire home.

The game was over as a contest at this stage with an eleven point lead racked up and Avondale unable to unearth a way through Baltinglass rearguard.

The away side spent two whole minutes in possession of the ball between the Baltinglass 21 and 45 but every channel and avenue they attempted to attack through they were ushered back to where they came from and eventually turned over possession.

A Saoirse Kearnon point on eighteen minutes provided a moment of light for Avondale and it must be said that Kearnon must have covered every blade of grass trying to drive on his team in attack from wing back and also in defence chasing a Baltinglass team in the mood for goals. A turnover from Avondale on their own 14 was