Madden vs Pearse �gs
Played in ideal weather conditions, our Minor team pulled off a surprise one point victory against a strong Og's side. With Paul O'Reilly absent, Madden knew they would be up against it right from the throw in and Ogs registered the first wide of the game, after some good work by Ryan Grimley Madden registered two wides after 10 mins and began to settle down and were at least getting the ball into the danger areas. In a follow up attack Damien Mc Kenna was fouled and Joe Feeney put away the resultant penalty. The same player scored from a free soon after.
The Og's had a point soon after but in an exhilerating move involving Joe Feeney, Kyle Morgan and Damien Mc Kenna, Madden went furthur ahead when Damien palmed the ball to the net in the 18th minute. Joe Feeney scored his second point from a free before a much improved Ogs scored from play. Indeed the Ogs finished the half quite strongly but for some good defensive play, they could have been closer than their four point deficeit.
The second half began with the Ogs well on top reducing the lead to 3. However a long ball into their defence by Damien McKenna found Conor Mallon and he slotted the ball into the corner of the net. The excellent Kyle Morgan had a point before the Ogs replied with a furthur point with 10 mins of the half gone.
Conor Mallon now coming more into the game, scored a point after being set up by Joe Feeney, but a fine point and a quickly followed up goal left the Ogs right back in the game with 15 mins to play. Kyle Morgan again settled the home side, roared on by an enthusiastic crowd. Madden defended expertly to keep a rampant Ogs at bay.
With normal time up the Ogs continued to pile on the pressure and points in the 31st and 33rd mins had the minimum between them. When the whistle blew a relieved but jubilant Madden team were through to the next round and on this performance deservedly so.
At full back Patrick Woods was excellent until he went off injured, and each one of the defenders played to the very end, with balls being blocked and intercepted, particularly in the final ten mins. Lappy, Joe Feeney and Kyle Morgan were excellent throughout but this was all about the team on the nightand everyone played his part and deserves great credit for an excellent 60 mins of football.
Armagh Observer