Mid-Armagh Cup Quarter Final

Keady Michael Dwyers    0.07   v   Ballyhegan   2.05

Keady entertained Ballyhegan in the first match of the new football season on Sunday, a Mid-Armagh Cup tie played in Gerard McGleenan park, and were somewhat unlucky to come away with a 0.07 – 2.05 defeat against a well-drilled Ballyhegan side. Keady, under the new management team headed by former county star John Toal for the first time, battled hard throughout the game were ultimately out battled by the visitors even though the final score flattered Ballyhegan to an extent.  This was the first match of the season for both sides and a lack of match sharpness was evident for the Dwyers, especially with a number of players who have not played much football recently.

Keady started the brighter and showed they were up for the game in the opening exchanges before Captain Barry Hughes drew first blood with a well taken free from the left to edge the Dwyers in front. This lead was doubled minutes later as Mark Hughes proved yet again he is adept at scoring frees and Keady led by two points with little over five minutes gone. The visitors were quick to reply and brought the margin back to a single point with a point from play, but it was to be another ten minutes before they drew level as the game became fairly scrappy at times. Just after Ballyhegan’s No.4 was yellow carded for a rough tackle on Ryan Comiskey, they played the ball downfield and were awarded a free from beside the sideline which was duly converted to bring the scores level. Keady’s back line of Christopher Courtney, Chrissy Woods and the impressive Stephen Murray were doing an efficient job of limiting Ballyhegan chances with Barry Toal in corner back preventing attacks particularly capably and Keady went in front again after some good work from Barry Hughes in full-forward allowed him to turn his marker and slot the ball over the bar. This joy was short lived as Ballyhegan came back with a very well taken goal to put them in front for the first time and added a further goal just before the break as Ballyhegan played their way skilfully through the home defence and after Keady ‘keeper made an excellent save to deny a goal at the first attempt the rebound was slotted into the top corner to leave him with no chance and leave Keady five points ahead at the break at 0.3 – 2.2.

The second half began with a quick Ballyhegan free putting them further in front until a smart Richie Brennan pass allowed Ryan Comiskey to open his account with a fantastic score from the left. Micky McDermott added another Keady point soon after to narrow the margin to four points at 0.5 – 2.4 with little over five minutes gone in the second half. Almost immediately a Ballyhegan point form play extended their lead and Keady, despite some committed individual performances, were not looking like making up the deficit. At this stage both teams were cancelling each other out as attacks were dealt with capably by both defences and a number of easy frees were given away by both sides around the pitch. Keady made changes to try and make their way back into the game as Ryan O’Hagan came on for Richie Morgan and David Boylan made way for Cathal Mone. Barry Hughes soon added to his tally for the day with another fine free and Mark Hughes scored a point from considerable distance which fooled the defence and bounced over the bar to reduce the margin to three points and offered Keady hope in this game but the visitors scored another point with just over five minutes to go as the game ended 0.07 – 2.05. Although a disappointing result, Keady will no doubt push on and work harder in order to be ready for the start of the league in April.

Team: Adam Ashforth, Christopher Courtney,  Christopher Woods, Stephen Murray, Barry Toal, Raymy Mullen, David Boylan (Cathal Mone), Conor Nugent, Kevin Rafferty, Ryan Comiskey, Richie Brennan, Richie Morgan (Ryan O’Hagan), Mark Hughes, Barry Hughes (c), Michael McDermott (Ryan Smith).

Subs not used: Paul Murray, Patrick Smith, Gerard Toal, Martin Toner, Paul Keenan, Cathal Murphy, Daniel McDermott, Barry Scully.

Scorers: Barry Hughes (0.3), Mark Hughes (0.2), Ryan Comiskey (0.1), Michael McDermott (0.1)