Granard survive as Ardagh relegated to Intermediate status
Ardagh were relegated to Intermediate status next season when they lost out by a solitary point against Granard in a tense and tight battle to avoid the drop and after failing to win a game in this year's Senior Football Championship few can argue with the fact that St. Patrick's got what they deserved despite their injury problems.
A sparse attendance gathered at the Monaduff grounds in Drumlish for this floodlit fixture on Friday night last and with Sean Connolly's scoring a comfortable win over the already safe Fr. Manning Gaels in the other relegation round-robin game, Ardagh would have survived had they managed to beat St. Mary's.
If that particular scenario had materialised, leaving the sides level on points, the result between the teams (and not scores difference) was going to determine who was going down and thus it was a close call for Granard who were very relieved indeed to hear the sound of the final whistle.
Ardagh actually led by two points at the break, 0-6 to 0-4, and were looking the likely winners but only managed to register one more score in the second half despite enjoying a fair amount of possession. A free converted by Paddy Ganley in the 49th minute was all they could manage and at that stage the sides were deadlocked at 0-7 apiece.
A draw was good enough to keep Granard in the top flight and after missing a few chances they grabbed the winning score when prominent full-forward Fergus Kelly fired over a cracking point in the 57th minute after receiving the ball from Derek Sheridan in a well-worked move that was created by centre-half-back Alan Neilon.
Ardagh were unlucky moments later when hitting the upright and St. Mary's held out for a hard-earned victory. Forced to field without Danny Keenan who was sorely missed, this was always going to be a real uphill battle for St. Patrick's and they were left to rue missing a clear-cut chance of a goal at a crucial stage of the first half when Shane Henry shot over the bar from close range in the 23rd minute.
That left the sides level at 0-4 apiece with the Granard scores coming from Derek Sheridan (free), Fergus Kelly, Liam O'Rourke (free) and Adam Cunningham while Paddy Ganley converted a couple of frees for Ardagh with Ciaran Kelly also shooting a point after having a goal disallowed for fisting the ball direct from the hand into the net after just two minutes.
St. Patrick's midfielder Seamus Shortt was working really hard to save his side from relegation and he landed the lead point in the 25th minute before the advantage was extended when Paddy Ganley slotted over another free to put the pressure on St.Mary's going into the second half.
However, Granard improved sufficiently to rescue the situation on the changeover and had hit the front by the 47th minute after registering three scores on the trot through Liam O'Rourke (two frees) and Fergus Kelly who was proving to be a considerable threat in the target man role.
While a Paddy Ganley free levelled matters, that was as good as it got for Ardagh and another well struck effort from Fergus Kelly late in the game clinched a rather fortunate win for Granard who were minus the services of county minor midfielder Darren Gallagher.
GRANARD: James Hynes; Gene Kearney, Thomas Gallagher, Kevin McGahern; Sean Duggan, Alan Neilon, Paul Smith; Jim Bob Reilly, Glen Kelly; Liam O'Rourke (0-3, all frees), David Blessington, Adam Cunningham (0-1); Declan Hynes, Fergus Kelly (0-3), Derek Sheridan (0-1, free).
ARDAGH: Joe Crouch; Dessie Murphy, Brian Farrell, Paul Ivel; Derek Farrell, Gerard Farrell, Enda Gillen; Seamus Shortt (0-1), Paddy Keenan; David Farrell, Enda Ward, Ciaran Kelly (0-1); Paddy Ganley (0-4, all frees), Philip Gillen, Shane Henry (0-1).
Sub:- James McGoey for D Farrell (half-time).
Referee: Michael O'Brien (Longford Slashers).
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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