St Michael's have too much firepower for Ardara in Pearse Park

St Michael's made it two from two in the senior championship with a comfortable win over Ardara in Pearse Park.

Goals made the difference with Carlos O'Reilly very much on fire for the visitors. They had a goal blitz midway through the second half with two in the space of a minute to put any lingering doubt about the outcome to bed.

Ardara had the breeze in their backs in the opening half and started brightly with Calum Malley pointing after 30 seconds. It got better on three minutes when a high ball into the St Michael's square was not cleared and it fell for John Ross Molloy to fire home from close range.

Edward O'Reilly converted a free on eight minutes to  get St Michael's off the mark and while Calum Malley replied, two quick points from Carlos O'Reilly cut the lead to two. Michael Langan, after missing two frees, converted to leave just one in it but KJ Molloy found space to fire over at the other end.

Michael Langan, after a great break, was denied by Paddy Gallagher with a great save but the pressure was building. Langan fired over a point and Edward O'Reilly made a great break but was just inches wide of the top corner.

The goal that was threatened arrived on 20 minutes when Kyle McFadden did well to break a tackle and the ball was crossed for   Carlos O'Reilly to  walk the ball into the net.

Three minutes later the second goal arrived with Michael McGinley crossing this time for Colin McFadden to palm home.

Before half-time Niall McCrossan struck  two  frees to keep Ardara in touch with the score 2-5 to 1-5 at the break.

The second half was an even affair until the 48th minute. Edward O'Reilly, Daniel McLaughlin and Michael Cannon had St Michael's points while CJ Molloy with two frees and Calum Malley replied for the home side.

But then disaster struck as St Michael's struck two goals in 30 seconds from Ciaran Kelly and Carlos O'Reilly for a 4-8 to 1-8 lead.

Thereafter it was a matter of playing out time. Kevin Whyte and Niall McCrossan (free) cut the lead but St Michael's finished strong with points from Daniel McLaughlin, Carlos O'Reilly and Andrew Kelly while the O'Reilly's almost combined soccer style for a fifth goal.

In the end it was pretty comfortable for St Michael's while Ardara are among a group of clubs who will be looking to get that win to avoid the relegation battle.

Ardara scorers: Calum Malley 0-3; John Ross Molloy 1-0; Niall McCrossan 0-3,3f; C J Molloy 0-2,2f; KJ Molloy, Kevin Whyte 0-1 each.

St Michael's scorers: Carlos O'Reilly 2-3; Ciaran Kelly, Colin McFadden 1-0 each; Michael Langan (1f), Edward O'Reilly (1f), Daniel McLaughlin 0-2 each; Michael Cannon, Andrew Kelly 0-1 each.

Ardara: Paddy Gallagher; Shane Mooney, Shane Whyte, Charlie Bennett; Danny Walsh, Paddy McGrath, Darragh Hennigan; John Ross Molloy, Johnny McHugh; Calum Malley, KJ Molloy, Kevin Whyte; Paul Walsh, CJ Molloy, Niall McCrossan.

Subs: Conor Classon for Hennigan (44); Matthew Sweeney for P Walsh (55)

St Michael's: Mark Anthony McGinley; Jamie Hunter, Liam  Paul Ferry, Paddy McGinley; Oisin Langan, Ciaran Kelly, Stephen Doak; Kyle McGarvey, Colin McFadden; Paul Johnston, Martin McElhinney, Michael McGinley; Edward O'Reilly, Michael Langan, Carlos O'Reilly.

Subs: Michael Cannon for Johnston (ht); Andrew Kelly for McElhinney (48); Antoin McFadden for Colin McFadden (50); Paul Johnston for Hunter (54).

Referee: Kevin McGinley (Naomh Columba)