Ardara boss Devaney: 'We have no points on the board which is tough to take'

Unfancied Ardara turned in a much-improved display against a somewhat disappointing Aodh Ruadh side - but just did not have the firepower to snatch a late victory in a game where they started and finished well. 

Damian Devaney’s men had a very good opening quarter into the breeze and also a good final 15 minutes in a game that lasted a total of 67 minutes. But they remain pointless following a heavy loss at Gaoth Dobhair was followed up by a 0-9 to 0-7 defeat by Aodh Ruadh. 

“One thing about these lads is that you can’t fault their effort and we had a pretty good opening playing against the breeze and we actually led by a point at the start,” said Devaney. 

Despite their efforts Ardara are badly missing a number of players who are not available for a variety of reasons as Devaney ruefully reflected. 

“It’s been a tough year with boys going away and from the championship squad of last year I think we are down 10 or 11 through the whole team,” he added. “So, in fairness the boys kept plugging away and that was a much better display this evening”. 

Aodh Ruadh cling on to defeat Ardara in low-scoring affair

John McNulty's side eked out their second narrow win - following on from their victory over Bundoran - against an Ardara team who ran them close late on

Last time out they were beaten away to Gaoth Dobhair on a score of 2-13 to 0-6. 

“Even in that game we played OK in spells but a 10-minute spell at the start of the second quarter really hurt us," Devaney added. “Aodh Ruadh similarly came out strongly after the break and that was the crucial thing in this game too. We had a good start and kept the ball very well at times in the opening half, but Aodh Ruadh are very good at what they do - getting back into their defensive shape and they are very hard to break down. 

“We did not panic this week and that was something we have been stressing and maybe we should have pushed up a wee bit more at the end.  It was a good performance, but we still have no points on the board which is tough to take.

“I thought we battled back very well against the wind in the second half with three points in a row and we probably should have got a few more scores in the end. We certainly were putting on the pressure which is encouraging. It was a good tight game, and we have plenty to work on”.