We showed amazing character to get win - Aodh Ruadh’s Maurice McLaughlin

Aodh Ruadh bounced back from being relegated and a change of manager to get the win over Downings in the senior championship on Sunday in Fr Tierney Park.

They had two points to spare in the end but could have made it a little easier if they had taken their goal chances.

“Look, when you take where the lads are coming from and the season and being relegated, it was the significance of just getting over the line. They showed amazing character in the last five minutes when Downings came at them.

“When you have players of the quality of Johnny McGroddy and Paddy McElwee and Kealan McGroddy and Ronan Gallagher.

“We probably had a couple of goal chances that we should have taken, we will look at that, but this was all about getting the result for us,” was the immediate reaction of manager Maurice McLaughlin, who took over after the final league game.

“A few boys got their senior championship debuts there today, Senan Rooney and Colm McGloin and Jack Gallagher only in his second year with a great future. Eddie Lynch did a selfless job in man marking Johnny McGroddy. 

“It was just a great team performance. It was great to see David (Dolan) come in and win a free there at the end too. It was just a squad performance.”

Aodh Ruadh head to Dungloe on Saturday evening for the second round and will face a tougher test against a side that won away against Glenfin at the weekend.

“Dungloe is a hard place to go to also and we never got anything too easy down there. Both teams will be vying to get four points on the board now.

“Look, we are going there in a much better position than if we had lost today. Eamonn McGrath came off at the end; Senan (Rooney) had cramp. We will get Eamonn looked at during the week. He has a wee tweak there on the hamstring.

“After being relegated to Division 2, morale and confidence wouldn’t have been at its highest ebb and to see those lads out there performing, I’m just delighted for them as a group,” said McLaughlin.