It was a very windy early afternoon at Robert McCallion Memorial Park where Swinford and Achill met. A strong wind was blowing into the clubhouse end of the ground and Swinford played with it for the first half.
We started very well with a free from Kevin McDonagh with the first attack which he followed up with a fine second point from play. Great pressure by the Swinford half forward line and midfield led to a Liam Moran free slotted over the bar.
A lot of possession football led to no scores for Swinford and after 13 minutes Achill with an isolated attack knocked over a free and they soon followed up with a goal. All Swinford’s early work in the half with the breeze was now wiped out. Achill extended their lead with another free.
Swinford manager Sean Kavanagh made two changes to the attack and James Sweeney and Kevin McShea came into the team. Kevin McDonagh got his third point and Kevin McShea then leveled the game. Just before the break Achill put over a very soft free right in front of the Swinford goal to lead by a point at the break.
Now playing against the strong wind Swinford were up against it for the second half but that brought out the best in them and we were soon in the lead with a fine James Devaney goal. Both teams then missed a lot of opportunities with Swinford having four wides and Achill two.
Swinford went into a three point lead with another Kevin McDonagh free coming from great pressure on the Achill defence.
On the 19th minute Gavin Moore in the Swinford goals pulled off a great save to keep the 3 point lead in tact. Achill were in control of the ball now but could not get it in the scoreboard and rattled off another four wides.
Liam Moran then brought the best out of the Achill goalkeeper with a great run and shot pushed out for a 45. A Point from Kevin McShea extended our lead before a 50/50 challenge ended with a serious injury to a Achill player who was stretchered off. The game was held up for a number of minutes to deal with this. Steven McNicholas was also helped off to be replaced by Kevin Doyle.
Mark Forkan got on the scoresheet to bring our lead to 5 with a about 5 left on the clock. Achill got their first score of the half with a free and another point but could not get that goal they needed.
The full time whistle brought relief to the good few Swinford supporters, players and management and disappointment to the strong Achill support. Swinford winning by 1-8 to 1-5.
It was a vital two points and we have now leaped Achill in the league table. Three games left in the league…….
Against the wind Swinford played their best football and the team showed they are much better then the league position suggests. With the championship still to come the team are more then capable of beating Moy Davitts and putting a good run together.
Swinford: Gavin Moore, Steven McNicholas, Sean Brady, Alan McLoughlin, Mark McNicholas, Fergal Harte, James Lavin, Joe Kelly, Mark Forkan, Darragh McIntyre, Kevin McDonagh, Liam Moran, Johnny Burke, Barry Brennan, James Devaney. Subs: James Sweeney, Kevin McShea, Danny McNicholas, Kevin Doyle.
Scorers: Kevin McDonagh 0-4, James Devaney 1-0, Kevin McShea 0-2. Liam Moran, Mark Forkan 0-1
League Table Mayo Senior League 2016 – Group 1C
| Team | Pld | Won | Lost | Draw | For | Agst | Diff | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayo Gaels | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 131 | 87 | 44 | 16 |
| The Neale | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 137 | 120 | 17 | 15 |
| Bonniconlon | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 96 | 79 | 17 | 12 |
| Parke/Keelogues /Crimlin | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 138 | 124 | 14 | 10 |
| Swinford | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 89 | 82 | 7 | 8 |
| Castlebar Mitchels | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 119 | 120 | -1 | 8 |
| Louisburgh | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 87 | 81 | 6 | 7 |
| Achill | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 81 | 75 | 6 | 7 |
| Ballyhaunis | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 87 | 118 | -31 | 7 |
| Ardagh | 9 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 104 | 134 | -30 | 5 |
| Cill Chomain | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 71 | 77 | -6 | 4 |
| Tuar Mhic Éadaigh | 9 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 80 | 123 | -43 | 3 |