Both teams entered todays game sitting on 2 wins and would not have wanted to give an advantage on the league table to the other side but it is Swinford who now sit on 6 points after 4 games after a hard fought game.
Straight from the throw in Kevin McShea put Swinford a point ahead and this was soon added to by a good run and score from Liam Moran in from the left.
The Neale pulled a point back before a point and a goal from Barry Brennan put Swinford firmly in control. This was soon added to by a free from Kevin McShea and it looked like Swinford would stroll away with the game as they led by 1-4 to 0-1 with nearly 15 minutes gone.
The Neale then struck two frees over the bar to reduce the deficit. In between these scores Ryan Convey made a great save in the Swinford goals.
Swinford struck back with a score from Stephen Henry before The Neale scored the next three points, with two very soft frees given by the referee, to leave the gap at 2 points.
Swinford then retook control of the games and two points from Jack McDonnell and a point from Kevin McShea restored a 5 point lead. Just before the break Stephen Henry had a great opportunity for a goal but the ball came off the post. Half time saw Swinford lead 1-8 to 0-6.
A mixed start to the second half saw Stephen Henry extend the Swinford lead with a well taken point before Joe Kelly was adjudged by the referee to have pulled an opponent down and was shown the black card. James Sweeney came on as the replacement.
The Neale pulled a point back before two frees, one from Jack McDonnell and the other from Kevin McShea saw Swinford lead by 7 with approximately 15 minutes gone.
The Neale then began to dominate the game and scored a free before been reduced to 14 men but they then struck the next 1-3, including three frees to level the game as we entered the last eight minutes.
The extra man then began to show and Tom Horkan put Swinford a point ahead before a goal from Jack McDonnell. A high ball into the small area seemed to be under easy control of the Neale goalkeeper but under pressure from James Sweeney he dropped the ball and Jack McDonnell finished off into an empty net.
Stephen Henry finished off a fine game with his third point from play to end the game Swinford 2-13 The Neale 1-11.
Swinford now go joint second in the table withΒ Castlebar Mitchels, both behind Islandeady with a third of the season gone.
Swinford: Ryan Convey, Jason Carney, Mark Forkan, Paul McNicholas, Fergal Harte, Dermot Keane, Liam Moran, Joe Kelly, Eoin Gallagher, Stephen Henry, Kevin McShea, Tom Horkan, Jack McDonnell, Barry Brennan, James Devaney. Subs: James Sweeney
Scorers: Jack McDonnell 1-3, Barry Brennan 1-1, Kevin McShea 0-4, Stephen Henry 0-3, Liam Moran, Tom Horkan 0-1 each.
Correction, I have been informed tonight that it was James Devaney that pressured the Neale goalkeeper for the second goal. Well done James.