Men's Senior Football: Easy for the Blues

Shannon Blues 5-16 Armagh-Notre Dame 0-5

The second senior football match of the day turned into an easy win for Shannon Blues who are now five out of five and atop the senior football table.  Armagh-Notre Dame were out of their depth against the top team and by the time the second half arrived it was a case of shooting practice for the Blues.

Two up for the Shannon Blues.

The Brighton based side fielded without midfielder Kevin Sheerin who was on hurling duty with Wexford, but still may have hoped to keep it tight for as long as possible.  Any hopes of that were dashed from the outset.  Paul Garvey and Kieran Hurley had netted within the first five minutes.  Hurley was on his way to a hat trick of goals that was completed within 20 minutes.  The Northerners managed some scores through Kevin Marron, Mark Davidson, and Conor McGoran, but suffered a major blow when Marron was shown a red card for lashing out at Mike McGowan, more out of frustration having lost the ball.  The Blues now had the added comfort of an extra man on the field, who was deployed at the back.  The Blues continued to play with ease and points sailed over the bar from Hurley, James Heinz, and Hurley again.  At the break the Blues lead was unassailable, to the point where the second half was more of a training match. 

The Brighton side could have made it easier on themselves when in possession but turned the ball over coming out of defence on several occasions which resulted in scores for the Blues.  All of the Blues forwards got on the scoresheet and in the second half the subs got in on the act.  The Blues will have more of a test next week when they face Connemara Gaels, a team that is sitting in playoff position.  Armagh-Notre Dame will meet Cork, and will be hoping for a better showing, though Cork are showing well this year and certainly will be favoured.

Referee:  James Trimble (Tir Chonaill)

Blues:  T. Sayers, R. Callahan, C. Phelan, M. McGovern, D. Clarke, B. Curran, S. Moriarty, D. Dineen, S. O’Connor, J. Heinz, G. Curran, P. Garvey, K. Hurley.  Armagh-ND:  O. Murphy, S. Murney, S. Magee, S. McKenna, F. Meehan, A. Donovan, C. Magee, A. Gunn, S. McGarr, M.Davidson, D. McGovern, C. McGoran, K. Marron.

By Rory O'Donnell