Senior Football - June 4: Aidan McAnespies v Christopher's

Aidan McAnespies 3-11 Christopher’s 1-9

A win for Aidan McAnespies to start off the season, and score line that belies what was a very entertaining and competitive opening game for 2017.  A five point McAnespies first half lead was pared back by Christopher’s, however a late goal and two points ensured the win.

Jerry Kenneally and Brian Breslin Tangle.

The opening half was well contested with McAnespies going into the break 5 points to the good.  The Pat O’Brien Cup winners enjoyed most of the play, and in the early going squandered several promising moves.  Sam Ryan at corner back was doing a tight job on Robbie Croft, and it was Christopher’s that looked the more fluid side.  Once McAnespies got going, however, a gap started to grow between the teams. 

With the scores at 2 points to one for Christopher’s, McAnespies hit with a well worked goal.  Tommy Brearton found Croft with a great cross-field ball, the ever patient Croft found Eamon Dougan alone at the far post and it was a simple palm into the net.  The goal seemed to settle McAnespies, while for Christopher’s, just when it looked like something promising was about to happen, the ball would end up in a McAnespies defender’s hands and headed the other way.  Points from Brearton, Che O’Donnell, Brian Breslin and Croft had McAnespies sitting on a 1-6 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Coleman Kennedy pops one over the bar.

The second half saw a Christopher’s goal after 10 minutes put them right back into the game.  After a McAnespies chance at one end went awry, Christopher’s stormed down the field and Jerry Kenneally provided the finish into the net from close range.  The goal was followed by a Goggin point, however the Christopher’s revival was short lived.  Paul Clifford stole forward from his half back position and was found unmarked with an open path to goal, and the Kildare man gave no chance to Mark Delaney.  

Christopher’s kept plugging away though, and reduced the deficit to 2 points with 5 minutes left, having outscored McAnespies 3 points to one.  A third goal laid the case to rest, and this one came from Croft who was on the end of another sweeping move to side foot the ball home.  Two points to cap off the win saw McAnespies to the victory to start off the championship.  On the evidence, however, Christopher’s performance will give them a lot of hope for the remainder of the season.

Macs:  Paddy Coakley, Eoin Delmer, Seamus Breslin, Brian Breslin, Tommy Brearton, Paul Clifford, Niall Donaghy, Martin Mongan, James Rigney, Che O’Donnell, Adam McKenna, Robbie Croft, Eamon Dougan.

Christopher’s:  Mark Delaney,  Martin Coppinger, Sam  Ryan, Paudie Kenneally, James Horgan, Greg Henry, Sean O’Leary, Daniel Grehan, Jerry Kenneally, Coleman Kennedy, Shane Dooey, Dan Kenneally, Eddie Goggin.

By Rory O'Donnell