PATRICK PEARSES 3-12 BALLYCASTLE 1-7 Pearses continuing their winning run with a comfortable but unconvincing win against McQuillans at Mallusk. The Crowded House anthem Four Seasons in one day was never truer as the sky didnt know whether to rain or shine and this matched the football on the pitch as, at times, Pearses showed some dazzling play and, at others, the game was as damp as the grass it was being played on. Home manager, Eamonn Largey made a number of personnel changes with ConaI Campbell getting a deserved start at wing forward and Davison, Neill and Phoenix also being drafted into the line-up. Starting with a decent headwind the North Belfast men continued their trait of exploding from the blocks as captain, Piaras Donaghy, struck over two frees with consummate ease. With smart ball being played into the full-forward line, the self-styled baby-faced assassin Conor Davison tagged a point on when striking over from a tight angle. Shorty after Marty Neill was sent to the line for committing what the referee deemed a black card offence and was replaced by sandbag Fitzsimons who wasted no time and split the posts seconds after coming on. Talismanic captain, Donaghy, continued to show why he is the leader on the pitch as he effortlessly knocked over a 45 and, following a footblock, give the Ballycastle keeper no chance as placed the ball in the corner of the goal. Pearses were beginning to go through the gears and a major feature was the tremendous amount of work being put in by Conal Campbell who was constantly interlinking play and forcing turnovers, Ciaran Wright was being dragged out of his corner-back comfort zone but used it to his advantage as he was effectively becoming a 7th attacker and being a useful platform for the forward line. The onslaught continued with Phil Davison working hard to grab a two great points before a dazzling run from Donaghy resulted in Daniel Magee being freed and he made no mistake in lashing the ball home. With only a few minutes left of the half Conor McGhee waltzed from the half back line and played the perfect ball to Ciaran Magee who took his first point of the season, as deserving a score as can be as Magee has been a rock in the middle of the park from the first game of the season. Not to be outdone, Ciarans twin Daniel scored his teams last point of the half before the North Antrim finally got themselves off the mark with a point. Perfection was denied for Conor Davison on the half time whistle as he brilliantly read a Daniel Magee and momentum took him one-on-one with the keeper only to drag the ball agonisingly wide. With a 14-point lead at the half Pearses could be forgiven for taking their foot off the pedal but they gained the first point of the half after the Ballycastle defence were bamboozled by the wizard of Paddy Nolan and Piaras Donaghy combined to manufacture a fine score as Nolan played a running 1-2 with his captain and was decisive in scoring his point. A Ballycastle point was replied in turn by Daniel Magee increasing his tally and from there the home side lost their way a bit. Fitzsimons became the second black card victim to be replaced by Martin Gallagher and the Coastal men rattled over the next four points, three of them from deadball situations as some of the home defenders were guilty of stupid infractions and trying to delay the free being taken which resulted in a difficult free becoming infinitely more score able. Conor Davison managed to stop the rot with his second point of the game before substitute Eamonn Cheech McKenna struck the ball into the net with such force that the opposition keeper was probably glad that he didnt get in the way of. Looking redemption the Ballycastle goal tender that made an outstanding save to deny Frank McCallan a near certain goal. With Niall Largey all set to get his clean sheet a mix-up in the home defence allowed Ballycastle to hit a three-pointer in what would be the final score of the game. A comfortable victory in some ways but Pearses must be concerned with the manner in which they switched off for a long period in the second half. Focus now turns to St.Agnes as they attempt to make it 7 out of 7, resources may be stretched with several players missing and Eamonn Largey will be hopeful that the groin injury suffered by influential Brendan Hill is not too severe. Man of the Match: Piaras Donaghy- the captain led by example with a controlled yet dynamic display. Pearses: N.Largey, C.Wright, F.Davison, P.Nolan (0-1), B.Hill, C.McGhee, C.Magee (0-1), P.Donaghy (1-3), M.Neill, D.Phoenix, C.Campbell, C.Davison (0-3), D.Magee (1-1), P.Davison (0-2). Subs: S.Fitzsimons (0-1) for M.Neill (black card), M.Gallagher for D.Phoenix, F.McCallan for S. Fitzsimons (black card), E.McKenna (1-0) for B.Hill, D.Kerr for P.Davison.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Jun 2014 21:23:54 +0000
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