We maintained our good start to the league campaign with a hard fought win away to Bonniconlon on what was a cold July evening. Unfortunately the game was marred by a nasty injury to Barry Brennan mid way through the second half. We wish Barry a speedy recovery.
Bonniconlon got the first score of the game after two minutes with a soft free. After that both teams missed a load of chances and the next score didn’t come until the 17th minute when a scramble in the Bonniconlon goalmouth led to a goal by Barry Brennan. Another free led to Bonniconlon second score when our defence overcarried the ball.
Jack McDonnell then led the way with three points though the last one did look as if it had gone to the left of the post and wide. Thankfully it is the referee view that counts and he gave the point. Bonniconlon then score two points to leave the game at half time 0-4 to 1-3.
In the opening 8 minutes of the second half we took control of the game with a point from Liam Moran and three more from Jack McDonnell. The highlight been a free from the sideline out on the left by Jack. The game then swung the way of the home team and they rattled off 5 points to leave just a point between the teams midway through the half.
At this stage Barry Brennan picked up his injury and the game was held up for a few minutes as he was stretchered off the pitch. Our physio Brian Galvin was on hand to skilfully deal with the situation. Kevin McShea came on for Barry.
The team rallied and through Jack McDonnell and James Devaney we went three points ahead. Yet again Bonniconlon came back at us and scored the next three points to level the game as we entered injury time.
We then showed strong resolve and to fine scores by Jack McDonnell and Kevin McShea saw us take the two points and a final score of Bonniconlon 0-12 Swinford 1-11.
Never an easy place to go through Bonniconlon are much better then their current league position shows we showed will power to win the game and maintain our second place in the divison. Next up in another road trip to Louisburgh on the 26th July.
Swinford: Ryan Convey, Jason Carney, Paul McDonagh, Paul McNicholas, Liam Moran, Mark Forkan, Kevin Doyle, Eoin Gallagher, Joe Kelly, Tom Horkan, John Carney, James Sweeney, James Devaney, Barry Brennan, Jack McDonnell. Subs: Johnny Burke, Kevin McShea.
Scorers: Jack McDonnell 0-8, Barry Brennan 1-0, James Devaney, Liam Moran, Kevin McShea 0-1 each.
| Team | Pld | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islandeady | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 88 | 67 | 21 | 10 |
| Swinford | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 74 | 53 | 21 | 8 |
| CLG ACLA | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 63 | 48 | 15 | 8 |
| The Neale | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 76 | 64 | 12 | 6 |
| Béal an Mhuirthead | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 61 | 53 | 8 | 6 |
| Castlebar Mitchels | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 66 | 61 | 5 | 6 |
| Louisburgh | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 61 | 58 | 3 | 6 |
| Mayo Gaels | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 76 | -7 | 4 |
| Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 70 | 80 | -10 | 3 |
| Lahardane MacHales | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 34 | 48 | -14 | 3 |
| Bonniconlon | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 54 | 74 | -20 | 2 |
| Ballintubber G.A.A. Club | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 47 | 81 | -34 | 0 |
Mayo G.A.A. Senior Football League – Division 1C