Big Crowd See Port Mór Win
An Port Mór News
An Port Mór 0-12 Clady 0-11
A new season brought a large crowd to O’Neill Park An Port Mór. The home side had sizeable support with Clady bringing good number of supporters. O’Neill Park was in great condition thanks to the work of John McGleenan and Tony Donnelly. A strong breeze was at Port Mór’s back in the first half.
An Port Mór lined out with 2 debutants; Cathal McLoughlin and Cahir Donnelly with the team backboned by the experienced Finton Daly, Peter Nixon and Shane Nugent.
Port Mór got off to a great start registering a point after just one minute from the boot of Shane Nugent. Clady drew the game level with a free after three minutes but it was the start of strong period for the home side. Nugent kicked three successive points benefitting from some good work from Jack McQuade, Peter Nixon and Vance Doherty.
Clady were struggling to contain a Port Mór side with the wind at their backs but Clady kept themselves with a couple of frees. Port Mór’s discipline was letting them down and help keep Clady in touch as the referee moved the ball forward on a number of occasions.
As the half-closed Clady registered two more frees, but Nugent responded with another couple of points; one from play; to edge Port Mór two points ahead at the break. Half Time An Port Mór 0-7 Clady 0-5.
With only a two-point lead and the wind against them Port Mór were going to be in for a difficult 30 minutes. The visitors started the second half on fire with two tremendous points from play from the left-hand side of the pitch. The sides were level for the first time in the game.
The teams traded points and were level at nine points each with ten minutes remaining. A missed Port Mór penalty appeared to hand the incentive to Clady. The visitors were in the ascendancy and another two points gave the Clady men a two-point lead. Momentum appeared to be against An Port Mór but the home side showed some great resolve. Nugent cut the deficit to just a point, minutes later Costin Mallon kicked his first point and the sides were level for the fourth time.
Both teams probed and had chances but it was man of the match Nugent who kicked the winning point two minutes into injury and seal 2 league points. A tough opening fixture for Port Mór’s mix of youth and experience. Best on the day were full back Mickey O’Callaghan, Finton Daly at centre back, while Vance Doherty fought hard at mid field. Next up is Killeavy II’s away on Sunday at 2pm.
Team and scorers, Gerard Kelly, Cahir Donnelly, Mickey O’Callaghan, Eoin O’Callaghan, Brad Hughes, Finton Daly, Seamus Hughes , Cathal McLoughlin, Vance Doherty, Mattie Walsh, Peter Nixon, Ryan Gorman(0-2), Shane Nugent(0-9), Jack McQuade, Costin Mallon(0-1). Subs Used Ethan McClintock and Cormac Kieran.
