McAlinden spares Trasna blushes

SHANE O’NEILL’S 0-11

LAST year’s Armagh Minor star Thomas McAlinden spared Sarsfields blushes last Sunday at Ballycrummy.

He scored a crucial goal and three points, the last of which gave the Highmoss side a narrow two points win over Shane O’Neill’s in this Intermediate Championship opener.

McAlinden’s goal on the quarter-mark, which was dispatched with some aplomb and the flurry of points which followed, may have lured the division one side into a false sense of security.

They led the talented and runaway division three leaders1-8 to 0-5 yet were relieved to hear the final whistle following a late rally from the South Armagh men who, similar to the winners, missed a lot of guilt-edged chances.

Sarsfields were forced to change their shape when Paul Magee, who had been with the Armagh squad earlier this season, was forced to retire after just seven minutes with a knee injury and was replaced by Armagh Minor player Paul McGeown.

The greenery surrounding Pearse gs’ ground, and the colours worn by both clubs, certainly did not help either team with their co-ordination or delivery of accurate passes. The game itself was dour and with several second half injuries perforating the action, Shanes’ frustration caused them to kick wildly at the target near the end.

With Ciaran Kerr out, John Stevenson was drafted into right back behind quick paced half-backs Michael Stevenson and Mark Reynolds. Paul Hughes, at number 6, had his hands full against Shane O’Neill’s best player Brendan Mackin who did well at county trials earlier this season.

With Paul McGaughey shoring up the midfield alongside Brian Lavery, after Magee’s departure, Sarsfields’ restructured forward line got five individuals on the scoresheet. Eamon McGeown scored a brace, Richard Stevenson shot three points with Thomas McAlinden the saviour on 1-3, the goal the result of direct running from Paul McGaughey whose reintroduction to the team, following injury, has added direction to the ‘Trasna side’s attacking play.

There is little doubt that Shane O’Neills will give a good account of themselves in division two next season.

Once again it was Mark Reynolds who pulled the strings for Sarsfields with his link play, both in defence and attack. Reynolds plays the game with his head up, which cannot be said for all the Sarsfields players who can be unaware of team-mates in better positions.

Shane O’Neills, despite winning the second half 0-5 to 0-3, just could not pull the game out of the fire before the end. As Sarsfields move on, they can be slightly pleased that their defence starved the losers of any clear-cut goal opportunities and, in fairness to the Highmoss side, it is unlikely that any of the teams in the Intermediate Championship would have beaten this improving Camlough side by a much bigger margin.

Next up for the Hoops are last year’s beaten finalists Keady who beat Ballyhegan last Sunday.

Sarsfields; D. McAvoy, J. Stevenson, P. Stevenson, B. Kerr, M. Stevenson, P.Hughes, M. Reynolds, B. Lavery, P. Magee, P. McGaughey, J. Reynolds, J. Carmody, E. McGeown, T. McAlinden, R. Stevenson. Subs used; P. McGeown for Magee, E. Murray for Carmody and C. McGaughey for Hughes.