Islandeady vs Ardnaree (WP)

 Islandeady 1-9

Ardanree 5-14

Eoin Horkan 

Islaneady

Ardanree produced a powerful second-half display to overcome Islandeady on Sunday  afternoon, with two goals from Cormac Noone in a decisive spell after the break helping the north Mayo outfit secure a convincing victory.

The visitors made the perfect start and immediately showed their attacking intent. Charlie Beale opened the scoring with a point before Ardanree struck for the game's first goal just minutes later.

Dylan Sweeney broke through the Islandeady defence and finished clinically to the net, giving Ardanree a four-point advantage inside the opening five minutes.

The early pressure continued as John Timlin and Seaghan Duffy both found the target, leaving Islandeady facing a difficult opening spell.

The home side gradually settled and began to impose themselves on proceedings. Cailin Joyce converted from a mark before Zac Collins added two points in quick succession, reducing the deficit to a single goal by the end of the opening quarter.

Islandeady were now causing the visitors plenty of problems and continued to press forward. Brendan Gibbons and Joyce both raised white flags as the home side moved to within the minimum of their opponents.

With the game finely balanced, Ardanree responded at a crucial stage. Ethan Convey steadied the visitors with a point from play before Jonathan Doherty found space inside the Islandeady defence and finished to the net, restoring some breathing room for Ardanree.

Collins had the final say before the interval, converting another score to leave four points separating the teams at half-time.

The home side needed a strong opening to the second half, but Ardanree were quick to respond to the challenge.

Collins and substitute Ryan McNamara both added points, while Convey struck again from play as the visitors began to build their advantage.

Islandeady continued to search for a route back into the contest and both sides created opportunities for further goals. However, strong goalkeeping and committed defending at both ends ensured that neither attack could find the breakthrough.

Ardanree had made two changes at half-time and both substitutes soon began to make their presence felt.

Cathair Tighe was first to register, splitting the posts with a well-taken score. The visitors then produced the game's next major moment when Cathal Noone was picked out unmarked at the far post and made no mistake, finishing to the net for Ardanree's third goal.

Islandeady refused to surrender and Sean Collins converted a free to give the home side some encouragement.

Timlin responded with a pair of scores as Ardanree regained control, before Noone took centre stage.

The Ardanree forward struck for his second  goal of the afternoon shortly before the final quarter, extending the visitors' lead and putting them firmly in command. Sweeney followed with another point as the gap continued to grow.

The closing stages nevertheless produced some excellent football, with Islandeady continuing to attack and Ardanree goalkeeper Ronan  Connolly becoming increasingly influential.

He produced a superb point-blank save to deny Seamie Lally, keeping Islandeady from reducing the deficit. At the opposite end, Timlin and Sweeney showed their accuracy once again, both adding to their tallies.

Connolly was called upon again and produced another excellent stop to keep the Islandeady attack at bay.

Eventually, though, the pressure told. Ryan McNamara found a way through and slid the ball underneath the goalkeeper and into the net for Louisburgh’s first goal of the day.

There was still time for further scores as Convey, Noone and Timlin all added to their tallies, while Jason Crean completed the scoring with Ardanree's final goal.

Islandeady battled bravely throughout, particularly during the opening half when they threatened to make a contest of it, but Ardanree's greater cutting edge in front of goal ultimately proved decisive.

The visitors' ability to punish mistakes and their strong second-half finishing ensured that they left Islandeady with a comprehensive victory after an entertaining encounter.

Scorers; Islandeady:Zac Collins 0-4,Ryan McNamara 1-1,Cailin Joyce 0-2,Brendan Gibbons, Sean Collins 0-1 each.

Ardanree:Cathal Noone 2-1,John Timlin 0-5,Dylan Sweeney 1-2,Jason Crean 1-0, Ethan Convey 0-3 (2fs),Cathair Tighe,Charlie Beale,Darragh O’Malley 0-1 each

Ardanree:Ronan Connolly;Kenzie McKee,Patrick Mills,Kevin Gillespie;Nathan Roddy,Lee Grant,Adam Parsons;Ronan O’Malley,Seaghan Duffy;Jason Crean ,Dylan Sweeney,Ethan Convey;Jonathan Doherty,Charlie Beale,John Timlin/

Subs Used Cathal Noone(for  Doherty), Cathair  Tighe (for Duffy),Stephen Jackson (for Parsons),Michael Sweeney (for Beale),Shane Timlin (for  O’Malley).

Islandeady:Bryan O’Flaherty;Jack Carney,Peter Gordon,Ciaran Burke;Seamie Lally,Diarmuid Gibbons,Liam Coyne;Peter Collins,Darragh O’Malley,;Levi Barrett,Zac Collins,Cailin Joyce ;Sean Collins,Darragh Joyce,Brendan Gibbons.

Ryan McNamara (for Gibbons),Andrew Gallagher (for Collins),Paul Corcoran (for  O’Malley).

Referee:Paul Lydon.