Related Links

Reviews

Dungannon V Monaghan MacRory Match Report-10/10/2009

Thu 12th Nov 2009

The Academy played their 3^rd game of the McRory cup, and needed a win against underdogs Mac Cartans, to put them in pole position for an automatic quarter final place.                                                                                                                             The academy started brilliantly and from the throw in A good catch and run by Niall Morgan through the defence opened it up for Mc Aliskey to fist to the net, probably one of the fastest goals in the Mac Rory this year! After that the game seems to lull as both teams sounded each other out. A key point in the match was when Mc Garrity was taken off injured, after initially starting brightly. The academy traded points with Monaghan as started to wake up and play some football.  Collie Mc Fall was playing well round midfield in a free sweeping role.                                                                                                                           Monaghan then claimed three points in a row as Dungannon were punished for conceding scoreable frees. This left the game level at 1-1 Dungannon to 0-4 Monaghan. After showing well at forward, Mc Aliskey got the ball and had a good goal chance, but the keeper block well. This again seemed to motivate Monaghan who put over two points, one from good lay up play and one from shooting from distance. Dungannon responded with a point after some good through running. Monaghan then came down the field and had a goal chance, as their speedy corner forwards began to get on the ball. Liam Gervin responded well with a point after a lung busting run, and after Monahan pointed again, Mc Fall caught well at midfield and ran unaided before blasting it between the posts. A free, made from a high ball, was converted by Dungannon. Monaghan then finished the half with a score to leave it at 1-5 Dungannon 0-7 Monaghan.        

Unlike the first half, Monaghan started well and a point after some good cross field passing  Monaghan pointed well. Kiefer Morgan showed Dungannon could match Monaghan’s long shooting and pointed well. The academy were excruciatingly close to a goal but after some action in the Monaghan box the ball was saved by a defender on the line. Monaghan then came down the field and pointed a brace, another long distance effort and a very questionable umpire decision, to put them one ahead at 1-6 Dungannon 0-10 Monaghan.                                                    The academy again traded scores in a frantic opening period, where the action was hard hitting and very physical. Monaghan however kicked three unanswered scores, the forwards were exploiting the oceans of space for long shooting and using speed in their corner forwards. The Academy needed to respond, and did, when, after some good movement, mc fall got it from close range and slotted it home. Monaghan converted another free, and Niall Morgan converted a 45 to leave it at 2-7 Dungannon to 0-17 Monaghan. The game finished out with a blaze of goal attempts from Dungannon, as Monaghan stood firm and added one point to make sure of the win. Two late points merely put a good look on the scoreboard. The final score ended at 2-9 Dungannon 0-18 Monaghan.

This defeat will mean Dungannon’s remaining games are must wins and they will need to work on there free concession rate, and possibly an improved attacking strategy to make it to the next round.

Submitted by: Conor McKernan