Match Report Abbey Rangers V St Kevins

Abbey Rangers v St. Kevin’s U16 Football Championship 29th July 2016 at Ballykelly

Abbey Rangers kicked off their Under 16 Championship campaign with a comprehensive win over St. Kevin’s at Ballykelly on Friday evening. Early scores from Mikey Delahunt and Dylan Kavanagh got the home side off to a good start and Alan O’Connell kicked a superb score to put our fourth point on the board before the visitors opened their account.

An interception in our full back line by Andrew Nolan then started a move involving Dara Lovern and Daniel Gilbert before Shane Lawler got on the end of it for a well taken goal. A second almost followed shortly afterwards when a 45 from Robert McGrath dropped just under the crossbar but the St. Kevin’s goalkeeper made the first of many fine saves to keep it out.

Dylan Kavanagh, Shane Lawler and Robert McGrath all pointed to open the gap to 1.7 to 0.1 as half time approached but disaster then struck for the Kildangan / Ballykelly men. The visitors goaled following a long winding run from their inter county mid-fielder Garry Kelly and the same player collected the resulting kick out and set up another goal to rock the home side and reduce the lead to 1.7 to 2.1 as the half time whistle sounded.

After a half time re-shuffle Alex Fogarty was dominant at centre back and Robert McGrath and Daniel Gilbert were controlling mid-field. An early Mikey Delahunt goal was followed by points from Shane Lawler, Josh Burns and Brian Day as the 9 point lead was quickly re-established. A flurry of points followed for the Rangers men as the lead quickly stretched before the visitors managed their only 2 points of the second half to leave it 2.13 to 2.3 with about 10 minutes to go.

Gerry Mulpeter and Aaron O’Connor did the hard work before Shane Lawler sent Daniel Gilbert on his way for our third goal as the Kevin’s men began to wilt. As the clock ticked down Brian Day and Robert McGrath added further points to leave the final score at 3.18 to 2.3 in favour of Abbey Rangers.

This was a great win for the lads and they played some superb football and got some excellent scores. With Confey having withdrawn from the competition our next game will be on Friday week 12th August.