Seniors beat 'Nab, extend winning streak to 8

09 June 2009

ACL Div 2 Maghery v Ballymacnab, Friday 05 June

Visiting Maghery for the first time on a senior competitive level, Ballymacnab Round Towers put in a lively performance against their loughshore opposition. Scoring a free in the second minute of play, the visitors were first to register on the scoreboard.

Maghery were wasteful on three occasions in the opening stages before a well worked Michael Mc Conville point four minutes after the Ballymacnab score levelled the game. Seamus Forker then sent over from way out on the right wing while under pressure from three men in maroon and white.

Five minutes later, and the balance was restored again when the visitors notched up a point from play. The Mac Dermott’s edged ahead again entering the second quarter, Seamus Forker converting a free after Stephen Fox was fouled. Forker again sent over four minutes later after connecting well with Eamon Robinson and Stephen Cusack.

A minute later and Ballymacnab had pulled one back with a free, leaving just the minimum in it. And the next minute saw them score a goal and consequently lead by two. Both sides battled hard over the next five minutes, and Seamus Forker reduced the Maghery deficit to one when he scored another point in the 25th minute.

A superb point from the boot of defender David Lavery evened up the sides once again, before Maghery blasted home an excellent goal, giving themselves a 3 point cushion – 1-6 to 1-3. With the interval fast approaching the visitors kept plugging away and sent over two more points to leave just one in it at half time.

HALF TIME SCORE: MAGHERY 1 – 06,  BALLYMACNAB 1 – 05.

On the resumption of play, it was a Seamus Forker point that got the scoring for the second half underway, increasing the home sides tally to 1 – 07. A fisted effort from Ballymacnab a few minutes later reduced the Maghery lead to one again and with fifteen minutes played the Round Towers team had equalised at the lough shore venue.

A great point from play courtesy of Stefan Forker, and another converted free from Seamus Forker saw the Mac Dermott’s pull away with a two point lead 10 minutes from time. It was an on-form Seamus Forker who increased Maghery’s lead to three when he knocked one over the Ballymacnab crossbar again.

The mid Armagh team recorded a free 3 minutes later making it 1- 10 to 1- 8 with time ticking away. But Maghery hadn’t finished their evening’s business just yet, and on the stroke of 30 minutes, they swung over a late free kick to record a three point victory over Ballymacnab and secure another two league points.

FULL TIME SCORE: MAGHERY 1 – 11,  BALLYMACNAB 1 – 08