ACFL Div 1 RGU 0-12 Saval 1-5
As every team in the top tier battles to stay clear of the enlarged drop zone this year, RGU put in a real gritty performance to eventually overpower high flying and previously unbeaten Saval at Pairc Tomas Ruiséil on Sunday writes Colm McNeill.
After a heart-breaking reversal away to Bryansford on Friday night, DJ Kane asked his troops to dig deep in their second home fixture of the campaign. Indeed they did not disappoint in horrible windy conditions, where they faced the elements in the first half.
Saval were very much on the front foot from the off and looked to make the best of the prevailing wind. The visitors took the lead after 5 minutes when Pat Havern converted a free before RGU were presented with a golden opportunity to raise a green flag but Conor McGrady’s “soccer style” effort skewed agonisingly wide.
It looked like an expensive miss when minutes later Niall Madine’s deflected effort found the back of the net to leave Saval 4 ahead before Havern added a further point from a free.
The Hoops then spurned a couple of dead ball opportunities before Maicheal Magee steadied the ship with a point from 30 yards. This was followed by another point from Pat Havern to leave Saval 5 ahead midway through the first half.
At this stage the home midfield began to impose themselves on the game, winning a lot of clean balls and the lion’s share of the breaks. Despite the elements, RGU dominated proceedings to the short whistle with points from McGrady, Boyd, Trainor and Magee leaving them only 1 point behind at the break
On the resumption, the rain also arrived to add to the already difficult wind, but The Hoops started with great intensity and a McGrady point levelled affairs in what was his last contribution of the game. Having broken a finger early in the match he had to depart with a suspected broken nose.
Mick Magee then put the home side ahead with a pointed free and although Havern again equalised, Neal Cunningham took over free taking duties on the left in the absence of Conor McGrady and nailed two points before Madine again pulled one back for Saval for what was their last score of the game.
Magee (2) and Cunningham added further scores to ensure the two points.
With every point being precious this year, this was a heartening win, with some great individual performances. It was a privilege to watch the duel between Anthony Doherty and Niall Madine, in what was a no quarter asked, none given performance and where the honours were just about shared.
The home defence, marshalled by Gerdie Collins held firm over the hour, whilst Johnny Bell continues to blossom in his new role alongside Peter Turley in midfield.
Up front Mick Magee has impressed in every outing this year as a real g0-to man allied to his reliability form dead ball kicks, whilst Neal Cunningham proved equally adept when taking over the free kicks form the opposite side.
Next up is another home fixture against Castlewellan on Friday Night.
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