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Aghaderg Lose Local Derby By The Narrowest Of Margins

November 8, 2018

TULLYLISH V AGHADERG
Aghaderg would not have been given much of a chance going into this match, with Tullylish sitting pretty at the top of the league and Aghaderg languishing at the other end of the table. However, local derbies can always throw up the odd surprise. As it turned out Aghaderg will feel very aggrieved in this narrow single point defeat. With at least two definite points disallowed for the ‘Reds’ from poor umpire decisions the result could and should have been in Aghadergs favour.
Tullylish got off to a flyer straight from the throw-in as they broke forward to point through Chrissy Mc Govern. Aghaderg replied immediately with a long-range effort from Rory Simpson out on the left wing straight between the posts. Shortly after that, Aghaderg were awarded a free on the 40’, which Kevin Anderson hit but to the amazement of the spectators, the Tullylish umpire flagged it as wide. Kevin did however convert a similar long range free just minutes later to put the visitors ahead. John Mc Areavey then levelled proceedings before Tullylish edged ahead with another point.
Cathal Mc Grath was providing the movement up front for Aghaderg with Eugene Devlin and Kevin Anderson feeding off him to put the Tullylish rearguard under constant pressure. Rory Simpson then hit an exquisite point with the outside of his left boot from the 45 m line to level the match for the third time. Kevin Anderson shot Aghaderg ahead by one with a well hit 45’ but once again Tullylish levelled proceedings through John Mc Areavey. Tullylish began to string a series of good moves together and added a further four points to put them in a commanding lead at the break.
HALF-TIME
Tullylish 0-8, Aghaderg 0-4.
The second half produced a very even battle throughout but Aghaderg hearts were in their mouths as a one-two between John Mc Areavey and Chrissy Mc Govern finished up in the net only for the referee to have adjudged that Chrissy Mc Govern had fouled the ball much to the relief of the Aghaderg lads. Aghaderg responded magnificently with Stephen Fitzsimmons fielding the kick out and sending James Mc Grath striding forward who off loaded to Rory Simpson to blast over the bar. The game was just flowing from end to end and Tullylish hit the target once more, as did Rory Simpson with another long range free out on the right wing. Tullylish stretched their lead however to 5 points with two more strikes before Eugene Devlin grazed the crossbar to slot over the bar. Once again, Tullylish responded with a point to keep their five-point cushion. Paul Mc Grath again showed his goalkeeping class with two point blank saves to keep Aghaderg well in the hunt.
Aghaderg then got their ten minutes of dominance and Damien Simpson hit a long clearance, which Kevin Anderson gathered out on the forty, turned, went on a solo and struck the ball sweetly between the posts. From the kick out Rory Simpson gained possession and from out wide on the left wing he hit the target with some aplomb. Another effort from Rory, which seemed to have been a score to everyone except the Tullylish umpire, was ruled as a wide. Aghaderg could certainly have felt cheated at this point in proceedings.
Conor Lavery entered the fray and from one of his first touches shot over for a well-taken point. Aghaderg continued to apply the pressure and once again, Rory Simpson supplied a superb long-range finish to leave the absolute minimum between the teams. The spectators were now getting value for money as the game entered its final moments and Aghaderg were pushing for an equaliser. A few shots dropped short for Aghaderg, which should perhaps have made the distance to put them level or maybe even ahead. Tullylish kept their nerve and broke up field to increase the lead to two points. As the game came to a nail biting finish 
Aghaderg drove forward and won a free on the 30’, which Rory Simpson converted to narrow the gap once more to a single point.
In the end, the clock run down on Aghadergs’ efforts to get an equaliser and Tullylish nervously held on for an unconvincing one-point win.
FULL-TIME
Tullylish 0-13, Aghaderg 0-12.
TEAM:
Paul Mc Grath, Martin Fitzpatrick, Damien Simpson, Ciaran Connolly; Graeme Donaghy, Paul Mc Givern, David Mc Govern; Stephen Fitzsimmons, Rory Simpson; Aaron Mc Avoy, Kevin Anderson, Stephen Comiskey; James Mc Grath, Cathal Mc Grath, Eugene Devlin.
Subs:
Andrew Carr for Stephen Comiskey, Conor Lavery for Ciaran Connolly,  Thomas Lennon, Mark Mc Grath, Conor Mc Alorum, Conal Sands, Jack Devlin, Shay Mc Donald.