Ardara have too much for visitors Carndonagh in Pearse Memorial Park

Ardara made it two wins for two in the Division 2 of the All-County League after seeing off the challenge of Carndonagh in a high-scoring affair at Pearse Memorial Park.

The home side led 2-08 to 1-09 at the break but with the wind at their backs for the second half, they kept the scoreboard ticking over to give them a nine-point win.

The men in green and gold got the scoreboard up and running in the very first minute with CJ Molloy kicking over a routine free. 

Cardonagh instantly responded up the other end with Cian Doherty’s shot kicking a swirling in between the posts. 

However, for the next ten minutes Ardara dominated proceedings, scoring 1-4 without reply. Niall McCrossan got three of them including a two-pointer right on the arc from a free. 

The goal came from the hands of Shane Whyte who palmed the ball in after a goalmouth scramble with the ball hitting the bar and being partially blocked by Danny Monagie before looping into the path of the Ardara man.

The goal, instead of pushing the home side on, it was the away side that took the game by the scruff off the neck scoring 1-05 with reply. 

Carndonagh’s purple patch commenced in the 13th minute with Conor McLaughlin’s effort from outside the arc swirling in between the posts. Richard Cunningham and Doherty then added to Carndonagh’s points tally. 

It was now Ardara’s turn to struggle to get out of their half. Carndonagh won the proceeding kickout and sent a long ball into the square which broke to Cian Burke who squared it soccer style to Michael Noone to dispatch into the net. 

Shortly afterwards Ryan Kelly scored a fine point from distance to lead for the first time in the match 1-06 to 1-05 with 18 minutes gone.

The two sides then traded scores with Gavin Sweeney getting one for Ardara and Doherty scoring a brace. 

In the 25th minute Ardara got back in front with a finely worked goal. Only after shortly coming for Kyle McHugh, Karl Joseph Molloy sent a fine high ball into the box which was met by Sweeney’s outstretched hand to put it into the net. 

With the goal lifting their spirits the home side got the last two points of the half from the boots of CJ Molloy and McCrossan to make it 2-08 to 1-09 at the interval.

Playing with the breeze in the second half, Ardara took full advantage with the prolific McCrossan scoring three in the first three minutes, two of which were two pointers. 

It was the 40th minute till Carndonagh got their first score of the second half with Doherty converting a free. 

McCrossan put the ball over the bar again shortly afterwards with Josh Malley getting on the scoresheet for the home side as well after a darting run by Danny Walsh who layed the ball off for his teammate. 

Ardara closed the game out with Darragh Hennigan, McCrossan and CJ Molloy scoring in the last minutes to confirm their first home league win of the season.

Ardara scorers: Niall McCrossan 0-11, 3tp, 4f; CJ Molloy 0-4, 3f; Gavin Sweeney 1-1; Shane Whyte 1-0; Josh Malley and Darragh Hennigan 0-1 each

Carndonagh scorers: Cian Doherty 0-07, 2tp, 3f; Michael Noone 1-0; Conor McLaughlin 0-02, 1tp; Richard Cunningham, Cian Burke, Ryan Kelly and Conor McLaughlin 0-1 each

Ardara: Cian McConnell; Shane Mooney, Shane Whyte, Anthony Bennett; Danny Walsh, Charlie Bennett Darragh Hennigan; Tony Harkin, John Ross Molloy; Joe Kitterick, Josh Malley, Kyle McHugh; Gavin Sweeney, CJ Molloy, Niall McCrossan

Subs: Karl Joseph Molloy for Kyle McHugh (20), Paddy McGrath for Tony Harkin (25), Oisin O’Donnell for Joe Kitterick (50) Emmett Bryne for KJ Molloy (55)

Carndonagh: Diarmuid Doherty; Daniel McDaid, Danny Monagie, Eoghan Kelly; John O’Callaghan, James Monagie, Cian Burke; Sean O’Carroll, Ryan Kelly; Callum McHugh, Donal Doherty, Cian Doherty; Michael Noone, Richard Cunningham Conor McLaughlin.

Subs: Senan Grath for Danny Monagle (40), Callum Kelly for Michael Noone (50) Keith Norris for Callum McHugh (50) Daire Tully for Ryan Kelly (55).

Referee: Greg McGrory (Four Masters)