Aodh Ruadh opened up a five-point lead at the top of Division 2 thanks to a superb win over Buncrana at Fr Tierney Park.
Aodh Ruadh 3-14 Buncrana 3-8
James O’Donnell’s men landed 2-7 in the second half and restricted Buncrana to four points and a penalty with the last kick of the game as they powered to two more league points.
Aodh Ruadh had nine scorers across the course of the game as they once again played some scintillating football.
Ten minutes in Aodh Ruadh netted the game’s first goal. They sliced through the Buncrana rearguard with David McGurrin and Shane McGurrin exchanging possession before switching across the face of goal to Darren Drummond who palmed into the empty net.
That lead only lasted two minutes though, with Buncrana getting a penalty and John Campbell slipping his shot to Peter Boyle’s right as the net minder went left.
Aodh Ruad were on top with Philip Patton, Johnny Gallagher, Shane McGrath and Darren Drummond on the mark but Buncrana raided for a deserved 1-1 before the break.
First Caolan McGonigle sent over a low rise free before Kevin Campbell did well to connect with the ball as he was hitting the deck to volley to the net. That saw the first half action wrapped up honours even at 1-7 to 2-4.
Buncrana got the second half off to a flier with John Campbell pumping over a fine shot, but Aodh Ruadh hit back hard.
Eamonn McGrath did the donkey work before sending Philip Patton through and he placed a delightful shot to the Parker’s right.
From there on in, Aodh Ruadh took an increasing stranglehold on things. David McGurrin showed good technique to guide over a point which put a goal between them. Then a minute later McGurrin was at the heart of things again. He was unlucky to see his shot blocked short of the line, but Shane McGrath was on hand to tap home the loose ball and make it 3-9 to 2-5.
From a late penalty, Campbell got the better of Peter Boyle once again, but that late goal only served to put a gloss on the scoreline for the visitors, with Aodh Ruadh full value for the victory.
Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle (0-2, 2f); Callum O’Halloran, Colm Kelly (0-1), Michael Ward; Johnny Gallagher (0-1), Eamonn McGrath, Daniel Warnock; Sean Taylor, David Dolan (0-1); Philip Patton (1-4, 1f), Shane McGrath (1-1), Nathan Boyle; David McGurrin (0-2), Darren Drummond (1-1), Conor Patton. Subs: Paddy Gillespie for Ward (15), Michael ‘Sticky’ Ward for Warnock (47), Seamus Kane for McGurrin (50), Shane Dorrian (0-1) for Patton (55); Cian McGloin for Dolan (57).
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