Seniors beat Ferbane

SFC Result:

Edenderry 1-13 0-11 Ferbane

Edenderry seniors recorded their third straight win in the 2011 senior championship with five point victory over Ferbane on Sunday afternoon. There was torrential rainfall just after the game had finished but for the hour of the game it was perhaps the hottest day of the summer.

Edenderry started the game the better side and in the first minute Basil Malone was sent through on goal by Daniel Nolan but at a tight angle Basil took the safer option and scored a point. Just one minute later Derek Kelly burst through the middle and registered his first score of the game after some good build up play from Mark Young.

Ferbane hit back straight away and in just three minutes they scored three points, two from frees, to take the lead. Aidan Keenaghan of Ferbane made a great solo run through the middle but his shot dragged wide fortunately for the reds. It would be the only time in the game that they would lead and in thirteenth minute Ciaran Hurley pointed from a free after a foul on Martin Keogh. Mark Young extended the reds lead a minute later after some play from full forward Stuart Cullen.

The reds really hit form from here on in and some great defensive play from the forwards, in particular Mark Young, resulted in a turnover of possession and Keith McGuinness kicked his first point of the game. In the twentieth minute Ciaran Hurley kicked his second point of the game, this time with his left foot after a quick free from Basil Malone. Edenderry now lead by double scores and in the twenty second minute Martin Keogh stretched the lead after a great run from Richie Dalton. Some great defensive play again from Colm Byrne, Martin Keogh and Stuart Cullen led to Basil Malone’s second point of the game. In similar fashion Colm Byrne, Martin Keogh and Daniel Nolan combined brilliantly and it was corner back Wayne Mooney who slotted over a lovely point with his left foot after twenty five minutes. Ferbane responded on the twenty eight minute with their fourth point of the game and just on the stroke of half time Keith McGuinness pointed for the reds to leave five points between the sides at half time.

Half time:

Edenderry 0-10 0-5 Ferbane

Edenderry were arguably playing their best football so far this year and a dominant spell between the fifth and eleventh minute of the second half sealed their victory. Ferbane started the second half strong and pointed a free inside the opening minute. In the fifth minute Basil Malone struck his third point of the game and two minutes later Stuart Cullen pointed to put Edenderry six points ahead. Once again Colm Byrne, Basil Malone and Daniel Nolan combined well and it resulted in corner back Diarmaid Meleady pointing for the reds. Edenderry now led by seven points and in the eleventh minute the wrapped up the game when Daniel Nolan gave Derek Kelly the ball at the half way line. Derek went on a solo run and through sheer strength he brushed everyone aside before rattling the roof of the net with a great goal. Edenderry failed to score from here on in but they had played very well up to this point. Ferbane scored a point three minutes later in the fourteenth minute before Edenderry introduced Dean Cummins and Sean Doyle for Mark Young and Martin Keogh on the sixteenth minute. Ferbane hit four points in the closing ten minute to leave five between them at full time but overall Edenderry deserved their win and were the better side on the day.

Edenderry had some excellent performances throughout the field most notably from our two half backs, Colm Byrne and Daniel Nolan. At midfield Richie Dalton and Derek Kelly were both very good while Basil Malone had a fine game at centre forward.

Edenderry are now qualified for the Quarter final for the first time since 2005 and it is a testament to all the hard work been done over the last nineteen months by both the players and management. Despite what has been written and said about the reds over the course of the year they have proven with a bit of hard work and commitment anything is possible.

Man of the match: Basil Malone

Referee: Noel Cooney