Geese lay down a marker with big victory
Wednesday March 03 2010
A SECOND-HALF scoring blitz saw newly-promoted Wild Geese make an impressive winning start to their AFL9 campaign at Oldtown on Sunday afternoon.
With a tense, close encounter against near-neighbours Clann Mhuire expected, the local derby attracted a big crowd, and the first half-hour lived up to the predictions.
An opening point for the Geese was followed by a couple of wides from Clann Mhuire, and then David Mc Donnell (free) made it two points to no-score.
Clann Mhuire eventually opened their account with a nice point, having gone close to scoring a goal moments before, before Danny Monks and Vadim Lee added two more points for the Geese after good work at the back from Keith Lowther and Danny Kelly.
Both teams added another point each before half-time to see the Geese lead 0-5 to 0-2.
The Geese began to pull away in the second half with points from David Rennie, Aidan 'Hopper' Scahill and Paul Murray, but Clann Mhuire came back at the Geese with two more points – 0-8 to 0-4.
Then some great play from Scahill ended with David Rennie cleverly hand-passing to Paul Murray who fisted to the back of the net.
Geese added more scores after the goal as their superior fitness levels began to pay dividends. Danny Monks and Daryl Brown added further points and Keith Lowther scored with a super effort from a tight angle to push the Geese well out in front.
Clann Mhuire never gave up and kept battling away trying to find a goal and a way back into the game, but the Geese defence held out strong, with Kevin Monks, Paul Flood and David Prendeville braking up many attacks.
The Geese then took control again and finished off the game as a contest with a great goal from full forward David Rennie, with Lee and Scahill each taking points to finishing off the scoring.
Geese's ability to take their scores and use their fitness levels to close the game out were the difference on the day, but there were some great battles around the pitch and great fielding from both teams – in particular midfielder Richie Monks for the winners.
Up front Scahill and David Rennie were the thorns in the Clann Mhuire side – although all six forwards scored at least a point – and the Oldtown men will be more than happy with the opening 14-point win as they look to push for back-to-back promotions.
- WILD GEESE: John Rennie; Danny Kelly, Kevin Monks, Davin Brown; Paul Flood, David Prendeville, Keith Lowther 0-1; Richie Monks, Danny Monks 03; Vadim Lee 0-2, Daryl Brown 0-1, Aidan Scahill 02; Paul Murray 1-1, David Rennie 1-2, David Mc Donnell 0-2. Subs
