Deadly Glencar Manorhamilton win the battle of the twos in game of two halves

If anyone was in any doubt about the impact of the two point score on gaelic football, consider Thursday's fascinating Connacht Gold SFC clash in Aughawillan as Glencar Manorhamilton's tally of seven two pointers, all of which came in the first half, was enough to see off a battling home side who only managed five of the bonus scores themselves.

In a game billed almost as a relegation decider, Glencar Manorhamilton scorched to a scarcely believable 0-18 to 0-5 halftime lead with Barry McNulty landing four two pointers in the opening half, Evan Sweeney landing two more and one from Jack Kelly as a stunned Aughawillan didn't seem to know what hit them in this Thursday night encounter.

The hosts managed one two pointer themselves in the first half through Niall Stringer before adding four more in the second half, the impact of Manor's first half barrage as much psychological as physical with a foreboding 13 point halftime deficit. In old money, Glencar Manor would still have won the game 17 points to 1-13 but the difference at halftime wouldn't have been as daunting for Aughawillan.

You have to credit Glencar Manorhamilton for the way they exploited the two point score, playing Jack Kelly, Evan Sweeney and McNulty out the field and pushing everyone else forward, leaving the deadly trio with a ton of space to exploit as Aughawillan struggled mightily to cope with the Manor game plan.

In fairness, you have to credit Aughawillan for not throwing in the towel and they saw the ball cleared off the line in the final minute of normal time when a goal would have left just a point between the teams. And considering that they started without Ciaran Gilheany and Morgan Quinn through injury while Gary & Mark Plunkett and Pearce Dolan aren't available, it was a remarkable effort from the Willies.

MOVING DAY AS CONNACHT GOLD LEITRIM SFC THIRD ROUND PROMISES CRACKERS

The result leaves Glencar Manorhamilton on the brink of qualification for the playoffs ahead of a final round clash with Leitrim Gaels while Aughawillan face a trip to take on Mohill, although nothing is settled yet with the possibility that the north Leitrim men could still miss out with a combination of results over the remaining games.

Jack Kelly opened the scoring after two minutes and by the time Niall Stringer got Aughawillan’s first score after 11 minutes, there was already a six point gap established as Barry McNulty thumped two two-pointers over the bar, one from a free, and Kelly added a fine point from the corner.

Glencar Manor might also have had a goal when a long ball broke for Brian McDonald but the long serving forward saw his shot blocked, perhaps with more than a hint of a footblock, but the appeals were waved away as Aughawillan broke upfield for Stringer’s point.

But the visitors were in the ascendancy with their ability to create space for two pointers crucial, Kelly seeing a two hit the woodwork before going over while he also converted a mark. Dissent from Shane Flanagan saw a Manor free moved in but Barry McNulty took it outside the arch to convert on 18 minutes to put his side ten clear.

Aughawillan's Tom Plunkett fires the ball to the Glencar Manorhamilton net Picture: Willie Donnellan

Jamie Plunkett profited when a long delivery broke kindly for him but Kelly hit back with an immediate point before McNulty converted another two point free, this time for a three man breach. Evan Sweeney then decided to get in on the two point action, hitting a huge effort to put 14 points between the sides.

Niall Stringer responded with an excellent two pointer of his own but Evan Sweeney then hit a monster two under fierce pressure to wipe the score out. The half ended with Morgan Quinn, on with Ciaran Gilheany after 20 minutes, converting a free to leave Glencar Manor 0-18 to 0-5 ahead at the break.

Aughawillan had two early shots with no joy and after a foul on himself, McNulty opened the second half scoring four minutes in. Tom Plunkett scored an excellent long range two point on seven minutes with Morgan Quinn adding a free shortly afterwards.

Glencar Manorhamilton looked to have carved open Aughawillan for a goal after a Jack Kelly run but Yann Le Guen made a block on the line and the home side broke down the field for Tom Plunkett to land his second two pointer, a five point swing in a matter of moments.

Aughawillan were beginning to build momentum but the gaps between scores were two long, another five minutes before Jamie Plunkett converted a mark, Glencar Manor keeper Shaun Sheridan doing well to clear a shot under pressure. 

Niall Stringer added a point before the crowd burst into life with just over ten minutes to go, a long Aughawillan delivery half cleared before Tom Plunkett produced a great finish for the game’s only goal, the gap now at four points.

Glencar Manor’s response was impressive with Patrick Mongtomery fisting over a Kelly shot that fell short while McNulty burst through at pace to thump over a point. Joe McEvoy broke up an Aughawillan attack in his own full-back line and manor moved the ball the length of the field before Evan Sweeney fired over.

THE LAST POINT: RETURN OF THE MAC & OTHER STORIES

Those three points wiped out Aughawillan’s goal but the home side refused to lie down, Jamie Plunkett converted a free before Rory McTague curled in a two pointer from the wing with just over three minutes left on the clock. The gap was almost down to one when a long range shot was punched clear by Sheridan, the ball heading for the line before James Hughes cleared the danger before an Aughawillan player could force it over the line.

Again Glencar Manorhamilton lifted their game when danger was close with Kelly pointing after a McNulty run before the youngster turned provider for Sweneey to land a point in added time. Credit Aughawillan, they kept battling with Jamie Plunkett converting a free and Tom Plunkett adding a third two pointer to leave four between the teams at the end, a score that could be crucial if scoring difference comes into play.

AUGHAWILLAN

Scorers: Tom Plunkett 1-6, 3 tp; Jamie Plunkett (1M, 2f) & Niall Stringer (tp) 0-4 each; Moran Quinn (2f) & Rory McTague (tp) 0-2 each

Team: Colin Maguire, Declan McGovern, Michael Quinn, Yann Le Guen, Sean Quinn, Rory McTague, Niall Stringers, Tom Plunkett, Fergal McTague, Daire Maxwell, Stephen Gilheany, Ronan Maxwell, Jamie Plunkett, Sean Flanagan, Peter McNiff. Subs: Morgan Quinn & Ciaran Gilheany for McNiff & D Maxwell (20); Sean Walsh for R Maxwell (40)

GLENCAR MANORHAMILTON

Scorers: Barry McNulty 0-11, 7f 1 tp; Jack Kelly (1M, 1 tp) & Evan Sweeney (2 tp) 0-6 each; Patrick Montgomery 0-1

Team: Shaun Sheridan; James Hughes, Tom Hughes, Joe McEvoy; Cathal Og O’Connell, James Rooney, Gavin O'Hagan; Barry McNulty, Bailey McBride; Patrick Montgomery, Evan Sweeney, Dylan McDermott; Brian McDonald, Stephen Irwin, Jack Kelly. Subs: Ryan Gilligan & Ross Johnston for Irwin & O’Hagan (54); Aidan McMorrow for Montgomery (58)

REFEREE: Paul Martin