All to play for after dramatic third round of Smith Monumentals IFC
Smith Monumentals IFC and Fresh Today Junior A FC round-up
A dramatic evening of action in the Smith Monumentals Intermediate Championship has left all eight clubs with something to play for in the final round as Annaduff and Bornacoola played out a dramatic draw in Mohill while Division 2 champions Gortletteragh suffered an eight point defeat at the hands of neighbours Gortletteragh in two high profile derbies.
With one round of games still to go, Annaduff lead the table on five points, just one ahead of Melvin Gaels, St Patrick’s Dromahair and Aughavas who all registered wins while Bornacoola picked up their first points of the campaign thanks to their high scoring 1-17 to 0-20 draw with Annaduff.
In a game where Annaduff looked set to stamp their authority on the group as they surged into an early four point lead, the eighth minute dismissal of influential midfidler Dan Bosquette transformed the game. With Damian Moran dominating the middle of the field and Ronan Mulligan a real handful in attack, Bornacoola slowly reeled in their neighbours and were level at the break at nine points apiece.
Three unanswered points put the Bors in command but Annaduff fought back to level. A Conor Reynolds free and an excellent Ronan Mulligan score put the Bors two up again but back came Annaduff with a two point Darren Cox free. Mulligan edged the Bors back in front but a quick move, instigated by a pass from Kenny Cox released fellow sub Alan Glancy for a dramatic goal.
An instant response from Sean Muldowney and a huge Damian Moran two pointer saw the Bors regain the lead with scores from sub Kyle Russell and Darren Cox tying the scores. A Conor Reynolds free edged Bornacoola in front in the first minute of added time but a late surge from Annaduff saw Darren Cox see his shot saved by Daniel Farrell, the ball coming back for a mark which the County man converted to earn a share of the spoils.
Connacht Junior Club finalists Aughavas took the local bragging rights in Gortletteragh on Saturday when they had eight points to spare over their neighbours, winning out 1-16 to 0-11. Aughavas led comfortably at halftime and kept the Division 2 League winners at arms’ length for the rest of the game.
Melvin Gaels surged into second place on scoring difference when they proved too strong for Carrigallen, winning 1-13 to 0-5, having led 1-7 to 0-1 at the break, while two late goals from Dromahair saw them claim a derby win over Drumkeerin on a 2-14 to 0-14 scoreline.
In the final round of games, Drumkeerin host Annaduff, Gortletteragh and St Patrick’s Dromahair are on the road to Carrigallen and Bornacoola respectively while Aughavas host Melvin Gaels.
Friday’s Fresh Today Junior A Championship saw Kiltubrid take local bragging rights and control of group 1 when they defeated Aughnasheelin 1-17 to 2-11 after a thrilling encounter in Pairc Cil Tiobraid. An early Thomas Gunn goal gave Aughnasheelin an early advantage with the visitors leading 1-6 to 0-8 at the break. However, with Michael McCormack impressing for Kiltubrid in the middle of the park, Kiltubrid began to get a grip on the game as they scored 11 points to five for Aughnasheelin.
A goal from sub Con Doyle seemed to spell the end of the contest three minutes from time but an injury time goal from Diarmuid Flynn threatened a late fightback but Aughnasheelin couldn’t get any closer.
In the Gorup 2 games, Drumreilly maintained their unbeaten record with a high scoring 3-17 to 0-18 victory over a Glenfarne Kiltyclogher team who have yet to pick up a point while Cloone edged Ballinaglera 0-15 to 0-14 for their first, leaving Ballinaglera in danger of not making the knockout stages as they have only one game remaining.
- Annaduff 1-17 Bornacoola 0-20
- Melvin Gaels 1-13 Carrigallen 0-5
- Gortletteragh 0-11 Aughavas 1-16
- St Patrick’s Dromahair 2-14 Drumkeerin 0-14
Fresh Today Junior A FC
- Group 1: Kiltubrid 1-17 Aughnasheelin 2-11
- Group 2: Drumreilly 3-17 Glenfarne Kiltyclogher 0-18; Cloone 0-15 Ballinaglera 0-14