SENIOR LEAGUE

BALLYMACNAB 3-09 PEARSE OG 0-16

Match ball sponsor – Brendan Maguire

Our Seniors got off to a perfect start on Sunday with a first ever win over Pearse Og at this level. Aided by the breeze the Round Towers lead by 13 points at the interval but had to weather the storm from the conditions and the opposition but held on for a deserving victory.

Pearse Og were first off the mark with two points before Rory Grugan kicked Ballymacnabs first point of the campaign on the 4^th minute. A minute later, Jack Grugan had the ball in the net when he made an excellent high catch from Gavin McParlands long pass and shot pass the 'keeper from an acute angle. A second goal shortly followed when Jack Grugan capitalised on a mix up in the Ogs defence and cleverly lobbed the 'keeper. Pearse Og replied with a point but Ballymacnab continued their dominance with points from Jack Grugan (2), Brendan Gribben and Brian McCone. Just before the interval, Ballymacnab had a third goal, this time coming from Ruairí Gribben who burst through the Ogs rear guard and fired to the net.

With the aid of the breeze Pearse Og began the second half in a blaze hitting three quick points in quick succession. Some good defending by the 'Nab defence kept the oppositions scoring chances to a minimum and a Jack Grugan point on the 46^th minute kept the scoreboard ticking over for his side’s advantage. Pearse Og increased the tempo with further points but a pointed free from Brian McCone aided the Round Towers to get over the line and collect the two league points.

A good start for the lads on the long season ahead led by Jack Grugan, who was the chief tallyman on the day, with other notable good performances from Ruairí Gribben, Kevin Beagan and Paudi Crilly. Next up is Tir na nOg away on Saturday 19^th April, throw in 6pm.

Team: Sean Hughes, Chris Loughran, Dwayne McParland, James Gray, Ruairí Gribben (1-0), Kevin Beagan, Dominic McParland, Pauric Gribben, Paudi Crilly, Brendan Gribben (0-1), Joe Gribben, Gavin McParland, Rory Grugan (0-1), Jack Grugan (2-3), Brian McCone (Capt 0-2). Subs: Fearghal Nugent for J.Gribben, Kieran Hughes for Dw.McParland.