5 Wins from 5 for Seniors

19 May 2009

Friday the 15th of May and a 7.30 pm throw-in saw the start of what the announcer at Abbey Park called a ‘top-of-the-table’ clash between Harps and Maghery. Both teams took to a slippery pitch due to wet conditions earlier in the day, but as the evening drew on both players and spectators were fortunate to avoid any showers over the course of the game.

Maghery started the liveliest, with Paul Forker scoring a lightening goal in the 2nd minute of play. Forker was again involved in the next attack when he sent Eamon Cusack through for another excellent Maghery score, this time a point from play, in the 4th minute. With hindsight, Forker and Cusack were indeed setting the precedent for their involvement in this match, both forwards putting in a stormer of a performance over the 60 minutes.

James Lavery too, lorded it round the middle of the park. His high fielding of the ball was exemplary, as he went about quashing any threat which may have been posed by Tyrone All Ireland medalist, Colin Holmes.   When Seamus Forker converted a free kick and Stephen Cusack sent over from play, Maghery lead 1 – 03 to no score as the opening quarter drew to a close.

The 13th minute saw the homeside register their 1st point only to see it cancelled out by an on-target Eamybo Cusack, who sent over a free in the 17th minute of play. Harps pushed forward again, converting another score and reducing their deficit to five. Seamus Forker notched up the Mac Dermott’s fifth point 5 minutes later, just before the Harps sent over their third.

Maghery’s next point was the result of some very committed play starting with Eamon Cusack dispossessing a Harps defender in his own half, passing to brother Stephen, who popped the ball off to an ever-available Paul Forker, whose pass to Seamus Forker saw the latter being fouled. Up stepped none other than Eamon Cusack to finish the good work he had started, his free in sailing over the bar in the 29th minute, marking his third of the game and Maghery’s sixth. Seamus Forker sent over another for the Mac Dermott’s a minute later and Maghery finished the half with an interval tally of 1 – 07 to Harps 0 – 03.

ARMAGH HARPS 0 – 03,    MAGHERY 1 – 07

With the forwards doing their bit in the scoring department up front, it must be noted that the Maghery defence played a major role in this away fixture. Davy Lavery, Gavin Fox and Gerard Campbell were solid, with full back Conor Mackle giving a gritty and resolute exhibition throughout the game in his number 3 jersey. Maghery goalie, Kieran Fox, was also steadfast. He collected well under a high ball in the opening minutes of the second period, when a high ball in towards the Maghery square looked dangerous.

Eamon Cusack picked up where he left off in the first half, and converted another well earned free kick within 4 minutes of play recommencing. Harps, who seemed to struggle without the services of influential players Vernon and Swift, answered with their fourth point 2 minutes after that and there were 7 in it again. Some excellent defence play from Maghery in general, and Gerard Campbell in particular, was indeed equalled at the other end of the field when the Harps goalie brought off a magnificent save in the 7th minute, prompting applause from both sets of supporters around Abbey Park. Stephen Cusack had looked on for a goal, but his blasted effort was jolted to the left and wide, and the visitors then failed to capitalize on the resulting 45.

It was Eamon Cusack who again sent over for the loughsiders in the 11th minute of the second half, and Stefan Forker marked his introduction to the game with a great point from play in the 13th minute. Harps recorded their fifth point five minutes after that and notched up their sixth a few minutes later. Play to-ed and fro-ed from each end of the pitch over the next few minutes, Seamus Forker knocking over Maghery’s 11th point in the 22nd minute, Harps scoring in the 16th, Maghery again in the 19th (Seamus McConville), and Harps registering their 8th point in the 22nd minute. But finishing as they started – strongly, that is – Maghery went on to stamp their authority on the remainder of the game, Stefan Forker and Stephen and Eamon Cusack all adding points to Maghery’s account.

FULL TIME SCORE: HARPS 0 – 08,   MAGHERY 1 – 15

Maghery scorers: Eamon Cusack 0 – 6, Seamus Forker 0 – 4, Paul Forker 1 – 0, Stephen Cusack 0 – 2, Stefan Forker 0 – 2, Seamie Mc Conville 0 – 1.