We enjoyed a good win in the Championship at home on Saturday evening, beating Erris St. Pats by 2-15 to 2-9. The scoreline does not reflect the win as we were much better that the six point margin. We are now into the quarter finals in the next few weeks.

In an action packed first few minutes both goalkeepers were called into early action after an early point from Kevin McDonagh. Johnny Burke nealy got an early goal after a great run but his shot was well saved. Jonathan Giblin then pulled off a god save in the visitors first attack.

Ryan Convey soon added a second point and this was followed by one from Johnny Burke after a fine run in from the right sideline to punch the ball over the crossbar. Kevin McDonagh added his second of the game before Ryan Convey got the first goal. Johnny Burke got another point to leave the game at 1-5 to no score.

Erris St.Pats got their first score from a free before getting a goal from the penalty spot after Alan McLoughlin was left with no alternative but to pull the attacker down. It was a close call as the offence looked to have taken place outside the penalty area. McLoughlin was black carded and replaced by Conor Conway.

This setback didn’t perturb us and we soon added points bySean Brady, James Devaney and a goal from Mark Forkan. The visitors added two points from the dead ball before Sean Brady added his second point before the half time break.

A very good first half with six different scorers left us leading by 2-8 to 1-3.

We started the second half superbly with Mick Walsh winning the throw in and feeding the ball to Liam Moran who slotted it over the bar.  Erris St.Pats then scored their first from open play to put them on 1-4.

We soon opened up an eleven point lead with points from Ryan Convey, Kevin McDonagh a fine effort from James Devaney to put us on 2-12. Our opponents got the next two points before we restored the eleven point lead with a point from Johnny Burke and a well taken score from Ryan Convey kicked whilst off balance. At this stage with about ten minutes left we were coasting but we relaxed and let our opponents back into the game.

Another soft penalty and a point brought Erris St.Pats to within seven before Kevin McDonagh got his fourth of the game. The game finished with two points for the visitors on a scoreline of Swinford 2-15 Erris St.Pats 2-9.

Well done to all the players and their management team of Pat O’Neill, Michael Devaney, Noel Barry and Eamon Molloy.

Swinford:Jonathan Giblen, Alan McLoughlin, Steven McNicholas, Sean Prendergast, Sean Brady, James Lavin, Mark Forkan, Mick Walsh, Johnny Burke, Liam Moran, Kevin McDonagh, Ryan Convey, James Devaney.  Subs Conor Conway, Jamie Carney

Swinford scorers: Ryan Convey 1-3, Kevin McDonagh 0-4, Johnny Burke 0-3, Mark Forkan 1-0, Sean Brady 0-2, James Devaney 0-2, Liam Moran 0-1