Liatroim make life hard for ‘Islanders

31 May 2017

LIATROIM travelled to Loughinisland on a balmy summer’s evening last Friday. but were unable to snatch the points thanks to a Loughinisland side showing the fruits of their coaching structures.

Both sides took to the field with some notable absentees, Dan Gordon and Jonny Flynn both missing for the Blues while a young Liatriom side were captained by the experienced Liam Doyle.

Loughinisland started the brighter with a point, quickly followed by a goal by the lively Rory Deegan. This was followed with a point from full forward Magoran and a further score from a tight angle from the lively Deegan gave the home side a seven point advantage early on.

Robbie O’Hara registered Liatrom’s first score on 10minutes. Emerging talent Gary Stranney added two further scores for the Blues before O’Higgins and Davidson registered for the visitors.

Stranney got two further points for Loughinisland before Davidson, Branniff and McAnulty closed the half with some fine scores for Liatroim.

Aaron McClements started in midfield, replacing Gordon, and had a ding-dong battle with Eoin Clarke. However, some wasteful shooting from the Blues caused some frustration for manager Brendan Mason on the sideline.

Even so, Loughinisland are making their home patch difficult for visitors and were good value and deserved to be six ahead at half-time on a score of 1-9 to 0-6

As the sun set over the hills, Liatriom started the second half brighter and rattled off two quick-fire scores from McCartan and Davidson.

The Loughinisland defence was now under pressure, but a break the length of the field started by the veteran O’Toole ended in a one-two with Stefan Mason and Aiden McLaughin punched in Loughinisland’s second goal of the game to make it double scores.

Liatroim moved Doyle to midfield and this proved the catalyst for a fightback from the visitors.

Scores from Davidson (2) and McAnulty were quickly followed by a Liatroim goal that left the minimum between the sides and it was game on.

In a high scoring, entertaining game it takes lively forwards to put scores on the board and man of the match Conor Magoran, as he has been doing all season, registered Loughinisland’s second score of the game to put the Blues three ahead.

Points from Magoran and Aaron McClements were followed by great team work and a brilliant finish to the net from the stylish John McCarthy. In the dying minutes of the game Magoran registered two more to ensure the Liatriom fight back was only temporary.

Island manager Mason was happy with the display even if it looked like Liatriom might cause an upset.

“It was a tough game for the lads, particularly in the heat, but our fitness came to the fore and the lads dug deep, particularly when the gap closed to one point,” he said.

“However, we were always ahead and thankfully we have a strong bench and guys like Cormac O’Toole came on to steady the ship. We have a good blend of youth and experience that will prove invaluable as the season goes on.”

Loughinisland 3-15

Liatroim 1-14

ACFL DIVISION 2

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