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Ardara end Malin’s unbeaten start
05.05.11
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Malin...0-9 Ardara...2-10 by Damian Dowds at Connolly Park ARDARA ended Malin’s unbeaten start to life in Division 1 with seven point victory at sun-kissed Connolly Park on Sunday. Two late goals put a flattering gloss on the scoreboard for Ardara as Malin had overhauled a two point half time deficit to draw level at eight points apiece late in the second half. But two goals in three minutes from substitute Peter McHugh and centre forward Stephen McHugh decisively swung the game Ardara’s way and inflicted a first league defeat on Danny Lafferty’s team. Malin were competitive over the hour, but having got themselves back into the game by the 53rd minute, they were knocked out by two ‘sucker punch’ goals, the second stemming from a misplaced pass in defence. As they are rapidly learning, mistakes at this top level of football are severely punished. Anthony Kelly, who turned in a massive performance at midfield over the hour, evaded a Conor Classon tackle to set up Dan McDaid for the game’s opening score in the second minute. |
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Although playing with the
wind, Ardara were struggling to find their range and hit
four wides before Brendan Boyle opened the scoring for
them in the tenth minute. Boyle celebrated his point by
clashing Malin’s Darren Doherty and was yellow-carded
for his indiscretion. Boyle’s career has been blighted
by injury in recent years and those woes continued early
in the second half when, with no one near him, he
collapsed clutching his knee and was stretchered off. Malin’s respect for Ardara, who had beaten county champions Naomh Conaill a week earlier, was evident in their tactic of withdrawing corner forward Kevin McColgan to play in defence. McColgan played the role very effectively and cut out several Ardara attacks, as well as proving a good link man between defence and attack. But Ardara hit three unanswered points from Gareth Concarr (2) and Kenneth Doherty to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 by the 20th minute. But just as the game threatened to run away from them, Malin responded in the best possible fashion with Gary Farren pointing while under pressure and two Anthony Kelly frees (including a fine effort from his wrong side, Tomás Quinn take note) drew them level at 0-4 apiece by the 28th minute. |
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But their good work was
undone and they allowed Ardara to hit two injury time
points. Stephen McHugh pointed after a quick free from
keeper Declan Lafferty went astray and Concarr converted
a 35m free with the last kick of the half to give the
visitors a 0-6 to 0-4 half time lead. Anthony Kelly won and converted an early free in the second half but, after a lengthy delay arising from Brendan Boyle’s injury, Ardara took charge again with midfielder Jimmy O’Connell from play and full forward Concarr from the placed ball moving them three points clear. Whatever it is about Malin they reserve their best football when they fall behind. The introduction of John G McLaughlin, fresh from helping Glengad qualify for the Buncrana Credit Union Cup final, helped revive their fortunes. He set up Damian Ward for a 50th minute point as Malin enjoyed their best spell of the game. Malin were dominant at midfield, with Anthony Kelly breaking ball and their hungry half backs, particularly John McLaughlin, sweeping up the loose ball. Kelly converted two further frees as Malin drew level at 0-8 apiece in the 53rd minute and with the momentum behind them they looked the more likely side to win. But Ardara had other ideas. Jimmy O’Connell boomed over a long-range left footed point to break Malin’s unanswered sequence of scores and worse was to follow when substitutes Noel Gallagher and Peter McHugh combined for the latter to punch the ball to the net in the 58th minute. Rocked by the concession of the goal, Malin were hit again just three minutes later when, after a misplaced pass in the Malin defence, Stephen McHugh and Gareth Concarr exchanged a one-two for the former to drive to the net and end the game as a contest. Anthony Kelly drew a save from the Ardara keeper soon after, but Peter McHugh pointed at the other end after a flowing pitch-long move to put eight points between the sides. Damian Ward got a final consolation point for Malin as the six allotted minutes of injury time ran out. Malin will have little time to dwell on this setback, and will be hoping to welcome back some key players for their trip away to Four Masters on Saturday night. Malin: Declan Lafferty; Danny Greene, Damian Harkin, Darren Doherty; John McLaughlin, Charlie Byrne, Finbarr Collins; Paddy Kelly, Anthony Kelly (0-5, 5 frees); Damian Ward (0-2), Daniel McDaid (0-1), Paul McLaughlin; Paddy McColgan, Gary Farren (0-1), Kevin McColgan. Subs: John G McLaughlin for P. McLaughlin (42 mins). Ardara: Declan Gallagher; Martin Sweeney, Declan Gavigan, Kevin Breslin; Stephen Boyle, Kenneth Doherty (0-1), Matthew Maher; Jimmy O’Connell (0-2), Conor Classon; Brendan Boyle (0-1), Steven McHugh (1-1), Brendan McNelis; Peter McNelis, Gareth Concarr (0-4, 3 frees), Martin Shovlin. Subs: Eamon Doherty for S. Boyle (half-time); Peter McHugh (1-1) for B. Nelis (45 mins); Noel Gallagher for C. Classon (53 mins); Damian Diver for M. Shovlin (53 mins). In a Nutshell Man-of-the-match For Malin, Kevin McColgan impressed as the extra defender and John McLaughlin won a fortune of breaking ball in the middle third of the field. Anthony Kelly, though, was the standout player for the home team. He was the best midfielder on show, and when he wasn’t winning clean ball he was breaking it kindly for his teammates to run onto. For Ardara, centre back Kenneth Doherty and centre forward Steven McHugh did best. Turning point Can two goals in three minutes be considered a ‘turning point’? All the momentum was with Malin late on and the side had, for the second time, overhauled a three point deficit to draw level. But Ardara showed all their experience to create and convert two goal chances, the second after Stephen McHugh did a job on Charlie Byrne. With Byrne receiving treatment for a bang to the face near the sideline, McHugh was on hand to score his side’s second goal. Sly, but effective. Next week Four Masters haven’t been having the best of starts to the season, losing three on the spin before beating St Eunan’s last weekend. Malin know them well, having played them over two legs in last year’s championship. The Donegal Town side will be without their county players next week, which should make Malin’s task a little easier, but they need to have everyone fit and available if they’re to maintain their Division 1 status. Declan Walsh can’t return quick enough, while Matthew Byrne will make a good addition to the starting 15. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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