AGB looking red hot after super display

AGB 2-12 BLESSINGTON 1-08

AGB travelled to Blessington on Thursday evening for this Junior ‘B’ football championship league match and came away with the spoils, winning comfortably by seven points.

This game was decided between the third and 12th minute of the second half when the visitors outscored the Blues 2-4 to 0-1.

The first half had been a very even contest, the teams level on five occasions and the half-time score ending at six points each.

Adam Boland had opened the scoring for Blessington, however, Peter Hempenstall and Danny Culliton put AGB in front before Stephen Carroll levelled the game for the second time.

Points from Adam Boland, Sean Mescall and Stephen Carroll and one from Ian Bracken for AGB left Blessington leading 0-05 points to 0-03 after 15 minutes.

Three points in a row then from Peter Hempenstall, Danny Culliton and Ian Bracken put AGB back in front 0-6 to 0-5 before half-back Jordan Lynch levelled the game at 0-06 all just before half-time.

Both teams had chances of goals in the first half, Paul Donoghue in the AGB goal saving from Stephen Carroll after 22 minutes while shortly afterwards a Quentin O’Reilly shot was blocked by the Blessington defence.

The game was all over 12 minutes into the second half when AGB led 2-10 to 0-7 the goals coming from Jack Furlong following a passing movement that started in the AGB full-back line while the second from Tiernan McBride was a fortuitous lob from 30 yards which deceived Blessington goalkeeper John McEnroy and landed in the net.

AGB were completely on top at this stage and restricted Blessington to one point from play from Ciaran Mescall.

In fact, the scoring dried up totally after 12 minutes of the second half with both sides picking up only two further scores, Quentin O’Reilly picking up two for AGB while Stephen Carroll and Sean Mescall with a goal completed the scoring on the night to leave AGB comfortable winners.

Overall AGB had a number of more experienced players such as Alan McBride and dominated the middle of the field with Daragh Culliton and Jack Furlong and in fact could have won by more in the end had they not fluffed several close in frees in the second half.

Blessington will be disappointed with their second half performance and will need considerable improvement if they are to trouble Kiltegan or Holywood to make it out of this group.

AGB: Paul Donoghue; Michael O’Sullivan, Taidhg O’Callahan, Ryan Stafford; Tom Hurley, Donal O’Keeffe, Jonathan Doyle; Daragh Culliton (0-2), Jack Furlong (1-1); Peter Hempenstall (0-3), Tiernan McBride (1-0), Garrett Kenny; Quentin O’Reilly (0-2), Ian Bracken (0-3), Alan McBride (0-1). Subs: Brendan O’Sullivan for Ryan Stafford; Stephen Donoghue for Donal O’Keeffe; Jack Darcy for Garrett Kenny; Gary Fennell for Quentin O’Reilly; Corry Mills for Ian Bracken

Blessington: John McEnroy; Sean McGarr, Damian Breen, Paddy O’Reilly; Glen Farrell, Aaron Curran, Jordan Lynch; Shane Fisher, Peter O’Connell; Danillis Sakusas, Adam Boland (0-2), Sean Mescall (0-1); Stephen Carroll (0-3), Jack Cotter, Ciaran Mescall (1-1). Robert Gilligan for John McEnroy; Patrick Nolan for Damian Breen; Daragh Richardson for Paddy O’Reilly; Ian Richardson for Jordan Lynch; Stephen Byrne for Peter O’Connell

Referee: Liam Cullen (Hollywood)