Buncrana blown away in the second half by rampant Aodh Ruadh
Aodh Ruadh ............. 3-10
Buncrana ................. 0-9
Leading by three points at half time having had the advantage of a strong wind, Aodh Ruadh supporters were more than a little concerned what the second half might bring against a visiting Buncrana side who had started so well and looked a real physical threat.
But the locals at Fr Tierney Park need not have worried as Aodh Ruadh were a sight to behold in the second half, mixing fast breaks and long ball to telling effect with two goals from the raiding midfielder Johnny Gethins and another from full forward Darren Drummond ripping the heart out of any Buncrana rally.
Buncrana, who had looked so good early doors, all but disappeared from this contest having bossed large parts of the first half. John Campbell and Darrach 'Jigger' O'Connor in attack and county man Caolan McGonagle at midfield were all outstanding in the early exchanges but all three drifted out of the contest as Aodh Ruadh were transformed.
Shane Gillespie at centre half back was outstanding for the home side, Philip Patton, fully fit for the first time in almost three years, equally impressive with five first and one second half point. Shane McGrath always posed a threat while at the other end of the field Peter Boyle was steady in goals with Dylan Gallagher, Cookie O'Halloran and Michael McKenna all playing well.
Great start
Buncrana got off to a great start with O'Connor and John Campbell causing mayhem in the forward line while county man Caolan McGonagle was ruling the roost at midfield against an Aodh Ruadh side that lacked a physical presence in general but in particular in that midfield centre forward area.
O'Connor on two minutes and McGonagle from a fisted Peter Boyle clearance hit early scores, McGonagle might have had a goal. Aodh Ruadh in reply were opting for the long ball into the full forward line but most of those punts were overcooked and ensured Buncrana's defence was on top.
After a lengthy stoppage to look after the injured Noel McLaughlin, Buncrana seemed to lose their momentum and a very fruitful three minutes from Aodh Ruadh's lively Philip Patton saw them lead 0-3 to 0-2 by the 20th minute.
O'Connor responded with a point but three unanswered points as the half closed out from Shane McGrath and two from Patton, gave Aodh Ruadh a 0-6 to 0-3 half time lead.
As the local savants peered at their tea leaves most were dubious that a three point lead would be enough, the feeling was that the wind alone was worth maybe six scores to Buncrana.
On the resumption Odhran Doherty pointed within a minute and Buncrana dominated for five minutes but failed to score again for 22 minutes, by which time the game was over.
Brilliant work
Gethins hit his first goal on 40 minutes, Patton added a point and brilliant work by Oisin Rooney led eventually to a second goal, well finished by Drummond to leave it 2-8 to 0-4 - game over effectively.
Gethins slipped in for another goal on 47 minutes and shortly afterwards added a point.
As both teams brought in subs the game fizzled out, Buncrana adding the final four points without reply from O'Connor, Odhran Doherty, Ben Bradley and a well struck '45 from keeper Harry Doherty.
For Aodh Ruadh Patton was impressive in the first half in particular while Gethins's hard work was well rewarded in the second with a personal 2-1 tally. At the heart of their defence Gillespie was magnificent for such a young player, Dylan Gallagher, Michael McKenna and the excellent sub Oisin Rooney also stood out while some of the old reliables Eamon McGrath, Johnny Gallagher and Drummond did good work too.
For the visitors the best work came early, Campbell, O'Connor and McGonagle leading by example Ben Bradley looked lively when he came on while Noel McLaughlin, until injured was doing well too.
Aodh Ruadh, with a new manager at the helm (Barry Ward) played much more directly than I have seen in years. It would appear under Ward and Philip O'Reilly's direction kick passing and early long ball is back in vogue.
Referee Marc Browne had a fine game on the whistle during a match which was sporting at all times.
* For the first time in 25 years Aodh Ruadh took the field without their regular physio on the sideline. Moya Ferguson, who has been there through thick and thin, good days and bad, looking after the injured and those who thought they were injured in the Aodh Ruadh colours has stepped away from that role.
A sharp, wise and witty (a daughter of the late PJ Ferguson so no explanation needed) observer of the game, some wiser managers who shared a dugout with her took the hint from her over the years as she pointed out the often glaringly obvious. She was much more than the physio. Today it was no surprise to see her in the crowd, cheering on her beloved Aodh Ruadh, a loyal and professional servant always to so many players over the years.
Aodh Ruadh: Peter Boyle; Callum Cookie O'Halloran, Colm Kelly, Johnny Gallagher; Michael Ward, Shane Gillespie, Michael McKenna; Eamon McGrath, Johnny Gethins 2-1; Dylan Gallagher, Philip Patton 0-6, 3fs, Diarmaid McInerney; Darren Drummond 1-1, Shane McGrath 0-2, Nathan Boyle. Subs: Oisin Rooney (36) for Ward; Eoghan Doherty (52) for D. Gallagher (injd.); Paddy Gillespie (54) for Gethins; Daniel Warnock (56) for J. Gallagher; Cian Dolan (56) for Drummond.
Buncrana: Harry Doherty 0-1, '45; Conor Grant, Jack O'Loughlin, Callum McNutt; JP Mckenna, Noel McLaughlin, Matthew Mulholland; Peter Mclaughlin, Caolan McGonagle 0-1; Oisin O'Flaherty, Odhrán Doherty 0-2, Stephen Doherty; Darrach O'Connor 0-3, John Campbell 0-1, f, Oisin Doherty. Subs: Aeden Stokes (32) for N. McLaughlin (injd); Oisin Hegarty (36) for O.Doherty; Ben Doherty (44) for McKenna; Adrian Doherty (51) for Mulholland; Ben Bradley (54) 0-1 for McMonagle (injd.).
Referee: Marc Browne (Four Masters).