League campaign off to a winning start

21 April 2009

Maghery came away from Newtownhamilton on Sunday with two points in their pocket from the first outing in this year’s league. Although bright and sunny conditions prevailed, the fairly sprightly wind blowing down-field made its mark on the game – putting both teams off their stride in each half.

The Mac Dermott’s opened the scoring after two minutes of play – Seamus Forker and Stephen Cusack pressing forward to connect with Eamon Robinson, who neatly popped the ball off to an on-running Conor Forker, and it was over the bar for a well worked point.

Newtown equalized a few minutes later before a Maghery free restored the visitors advantage. The home team notched up two further points in the 8th and 12th minutes, however a scurrying David Lavery squeezed an excellent point over the woodwork entering the second quarter and the sides were on level pegging with 3 a-piece.

Seamus Forker put Maghery a point ahead but a Newtownhamilton free-in was converted to tie the sides yet again. It was Eamon Cusack’s 30th minute free kick which put the loughsiders a point up and this was followed closely by a Conor Forker score, putting Maghery 2 up.

However when the Maghery goalie was unfortunate to fluff a high ball in under the bar, Newtown forwards were quick to step in and capitalize on his hard luck, sending the ball to the back of the visitors nets. So when ‘Staffy’ Cusack found himself in the right place at the right time 3 minutes later at the other end of the field, his fisted effort into the Newtown goals was both welcomed and timely.

Half time score line: Newtownhamilton 1 – 4, Maghery 1 – 6.

A well balanced affair in the first half was in stark contrast to the second 30 minutes which unfolded. A well tuned Maghery team dominated the majority of play, holding their opponents scoreless in this latter half until the last five minutes of the game - Newtown running into difficulties playing against the wind.

Stefan Forker gave Maghery a 3 point lead when he sent over a free in the 2nd minute of the second half. And then it was over to younger brother and senior league debutant, Aidan, for a well taken 3rd minute score, this time from play. With James Lavery fielding better now round the middle of the park and some lively play up-front, where Eamon Cusack stood out, Maghery put another 5 points on the scoreboard, stretching their lead to 9.

It certainly wasn’t just the strong wind that the home side was coming up against. An outstanding performance was put in by the Maghery defense as a whole, and Conor Mackle, Gerard Campbell and Seamie McConville in particular. However when Newtown did score in the 25th minute, they scored three on the trot. But there was no time left on the clock for a come-back and when Conor Forker sent over for the Sean McDermott’s on the blow, Maghery had secured a well deserved and comprehensive win.

Final score: Newtownhamilton 1 – 7, Maghery Sean Mac Dermott’s 1 – 14.

Maghery’s next league match is scheduled for Sunday (26th April) and is against
Tir Na nOg, Portadown. Maghery home fixture