Blues book semi berth
NEWTOWN BLUES DREADNOTS 3-13 2-6
NEWTOWN Blues increased their lead at the top of the table as their eighth victory of the campaign sealed an O’Donnell Cup semi-final spot with three games to spare.
A scrappy first 20 minutes saw the Dreadnots open up a 0-3 to 0-1 lead with two pointed frees from Paraic Smith and a well-executed ‘45’ from Peter Kirwan.
Liam Shevlin and Kirwan added points to put the Dreadnots 0-5 to 0-3 up at the break and it took a fine save by Dean Martin from a Smith penalty to keep the Blues in touch.
The game turned in the Blues favour when David O’Brien picked up his second yellow card five minutes into the second half, leading to the mandatory red and reducing Dreadnots to 14 men.
The home side took full advantage of their numerical advantage as they scored 2-5 without reply with the goals coming from county men Ciaran Downey and Ross Nally.
James Califf fisted in a goal to offer the Clogherhead men a sliver of hope but soon after that was cancelled out by another three-pointer from the in-formRoss Nally.
Although Liam Shevlin claimed a consolation goal for the Dreadnots on the stroke of full-time there was no denying the Blues their victory, who have full points from eight outings. NEWTOWN BLUES: Dean Martin; Paul Kellegher, Aidan O’Brien, Paul Moore; Alan Connolly 0-2, John Connolly, Cormac Reynolds 0-1; John Kermode 0-1, Andy McDonnell; Emmet Carolan, Jamie Kelly, Ciaran Downey 1-3; Colm Judge 0-2, Ross Nally 2-3, Conor Moore. Subs: Ronan Levins 0-1 for P Kellegher, Fergal O’Donaghue for P Moore, Brian Kermode for J Kermode, Hugh McGinn for A McDonnell, Conor Branigan for J Kelly, Thomas Costello for C Judge.
DREADNOTS: Chris Mulroy; Derek Shevlin, Dermot Campbell, Barry Faulkner; Aaron Scully, Padraig Rath, David O’Brien; Cian McEvoy, Pat Lynch; Pepe Smith 0-3, Liam Shevlin 1-1, Cathal Lynch; Carl Monaghan, Peter Kirwan 0-2, Anthony Williams. Subs: James Califf 1-0, Conor Shevlin, Ronan Califf, Barry Mulroy, Brian Gargan.