Teenage kicks - Ardara hotshot Karl Joseph Molloy loving life at senior level 

Karl Joseph Molloy might only be 19-years-old but his 1-8 contribution to Ardara’s fine 2-13 to 0-10 SFC preliminary quarter-final win over Cloughaneely was this game’s standout feature. 

Cloughaneely - the 2021 IFC winners - were expected to have a little too much for the Pearse Memorial Park men, who have struggled in recent times to live up to previous standards. 

But having avoided a SFC relegation scrap for the first time in four difficult seasons, a threshold of sorts had already been crossed for Ardara this term. And Molloy says the handbrake was taken off as a result of that small but significant feat on Saturday. 

And Damien Devaney’s outfit cut loose in an eyebrow-raising fashion that caught more than just Cloughaneely by surprise. 

Speaking after, Molloy admitted he was just content to see some of the club’s older stalwarts smiling. But, he added, Ardara tails are up going into the last eight.

“I suppose not many expected us to win today,” he said after. “And I understand that but it’s still not nice listening and reading that they were favourites or were going to overrun us. 

“So it’s really nice to see it come together for us and to make it through to the quarter-finals. We really backed ourselves today. We moved the ball quickly and early. As a forward, that makes all the difference when you show or make a run. 

“From really deep today, our lads didn’t take a solo or a hop, it was just head up and hit the space. As a forward, that’s exactly what you love. 

“The management had a plan today and it came off exactly how it was supposed to so they deserve great credit. They had their homework done”. 

At half-time, two goals from Molloy and his brother John Ross had Ardara in a fine 2-7 to 0-5 winning position. 

“Will they decide to stick or twist now I wonder?” asked Martin McHugh at half-time in the pressbox. “I really hope they twist”, added the 1992 All-Ireland hero who was really enjoying how teenager Molloy was going about his business. 

“Yeah and no,” said Molloy when asked did his team’s commanding eight-point lead at the break catch Ardara’s a little by surprise.  

“We were in a really good position but Cloughaneely with big Jason McGee, can go long and get goals. So we weren’t high-fiving at half-time. But Damien just said no sitting back, more of the same and that was the attitude”. 

On his own exploits in front of the posts, he said he enjoyed his hour but the main aim was to win and progress on to the quarter-finals. 

“Some days it’s like that - everything goes over. But I’m just happy we got the win. The lads are a great bunch. It’s been lovely stepping up to senior and getting to know them all. We’re all just trying to do our best for Ardara.” 

With the last eight to be paired up by way of an open draw, it’ll be very interesting to see what exactly comes Ardara’s way now.

“We’ll see on Sunday evening but we’re in a good position. The club has a really proud history. You hear that all the time but it’s true. So we want to start climbing up the levels now once again.

“It’s an open draw so whatever comes our way we’ll go for it again, just like today”.