On a very wet Sunday afternoon the home team came out on top of a battle in Mayo Abbey by 1-10 to 2-4.

It was a game that we should have got something out of, having the vast majority of the possession in the second half. Trailing by 4 at the interval, we then conceded a penalty shortly after the restart and were down by seven but a very spirited revival created a lot of chances but we could only get within 3 points of Mayo Gaels.

In the first half we played against the wind and Adam Gallagher proved his worth for Mayo Gaels with seven of their ten points. A goal from james Devaney and two frees from Liam Moran and a Kevin McShea point were our scores.

Adam Gallagher added the penalty for the home team after 4 minutes of the restart. We replied with a point from Liam Moran and a second goal from James Devaney after ten minutes.

Unfortunately despite a lot of possession and chances we could not raise another flag. The best chance was a save from substitute Michael Walsh with a few minutes left. Six wides in that period of dominance didn’t assist.

All in all in terrible conditions both teams played an enjoyable game of football and deserve credit for that.

Midway through the season we lie mid table with three wins and three defeats.

An interesting point on a dirty wet Sunday lunchtime was the good turnout of supporters for Mayo Gaels while a few stalwarts flew the flag for Swinford. Its a point that I keep harping about, being the poor support for Swinford when compared to the demand for county tickets come August/September. Hopefully I am proven wrong next weekend for our Championship match with Tourmakeady at Robert McCallion Memorial Park on Sunday at 4pm.

Swinford; Sean Kavanagh, Jason Carney, Paul McDonagh, Alan McLoughlin, Paul McNicholas, Mark Forkan, James Lavin, Eoin Gallagher, Johnny Burke, Barry Brennan, James Sweeney, Liam Moran, Darren Campbell, Kevin McShea, James Devaney Subs: Michael Walsh, Gerry Callaghan, Kevin McDonagh, Kevin Barry

Scorers: James Devaney 2-0, Liam Moran 0-3. Kevin McShea 0-1

On a morning when the weather did not know what it wanted to do our second team went out and shone brightly at Robert McCallion Memorial Park.

Ballycroy took the lead with the first point of the game but we soon took control and Jason McLoughlin got us going with two fine points. Both scores coming from good work by DarrenCampbell linking up with Jason who did the necessary thing and put the ball over the black spot.

A nasty injury ended Peter Quinns game and he was replaced by Joshua Smith. This change did not unsettle the team and soon the good work between Darren Campbell and Jason McLoughlin continued with assistance from Caoimghin McLoughlin and the ball was in the back of the net. Two more points followed from JP Broderick and Darren Campbell got on the board midway through the half we led by 1-4 to 0-1.

Ballycroy didn’t come for the scenery and picked off two frees to narrow the deficit. A punched point by Caoimghin McLoughlin and another point from Darren Campbell soon had the lead back to six before Ballycroy got the last score of the half to leave it Swinford 1-6 Ballycroy 0-4.

Management made a few changes at the break to keep everyone on their toes and Kevin McDonagh and Enda Heaney entered the fray. Ballycroy started off the better and got a great long range point quickly followed by two more to put only two between the teams.

That was as close as it was to get and we took complete control again. First JP Broderick got his second point of the game and Pearse Rowley who came on as a sub knocked one over before JP added his second.

Then with a brillant finish Kevin McDonagh netted our second goal to kill the game. A High ball in by Enda Heaney assisted by good work by Pearse Rowley under it fell to Kevin McDonagh who delicately chipped the advancing goalkeeper to put is 2-9 to 0-7 ahead.

Ballycroy scored two frees which were seperated by a Enda Heaney free to finish the game Swinford 2-10 Ballycroy 0-9.

It continues a very good start to the league and we now sit on four wins from five games. With a good blend of youth and experience the team are enjoying their football and it is showing on the field. The top of the table is very tight and it will require this form to continue to be challenging at the end of the season.

Swinford: Damien Geraghty, Aiden McLoughlin, Paul McDonagh, Paul McNicholas, Andrew Lenihan, Peter Quinn, Kevin Barry, Darragh McIntyre, Barry Brennan, Darren Campbell, Gerry Callaghan, Jason McLoughlin, Caoimghin McLoughlin, Michael Prendergast, JP Broderick. Subs Joshua Smith, Kevin McDonagh, Enda Heaney, Pearse Rowley, Aaron Kinsella, Gavin Moore.

Scorers: Jason McLoughlin 1-2, Kevin McDonagh 1-0, JP Broderick 0-3 Darren Campbell 0-2, Caoimghin McLoughlin Pearse Rowley Enda Heaney 0-1