MALIN ONLY SCORED one point in the second half as Ardara came back from a point behind at the break to win by double scores in Connolly Park.
Malin 0-6 Ardara 0-12
The first half saw Paul Walters putting the visitors in front after Gareth Concarr’s crossfield ball. Malin almost got a goal in reply when Paul McLaughlin’s long ball in saw Seamus Houghton knock it down to Brendan McLaughlin who saw his shot saved by the towering Ardara keeper Cathal Gallagher.
Paul McLaughlin did manage to salvage the move with a point from the resulting 45’. Gareth Concarr then scored a free after McHugh had been fouled and he quickly got his second point after beating his man and scoring from an awkward angle.
Gary Farren replied after a strong run up the right. Michael McLaughlin saved Malin shortly after with a great block and Brendan McLaughlin levelled the scores with a jinking run and a one two played with Oisin McGonagle. Joe Melly’s strong run and good finish saw Ardara ahead again but Malin finished the half stronger with two Brendan McLaughlin frees. Halftime score Malin 0-5 Ardara 0-4.
Gary McHugh punched a long ball towards the goal at the start of the second half forcing Malin keeper Darragh McLaughlin to push it over the bar for a point. Concarr edged the visitors ahead with a free after he himself had been fouled. Paul McLaughlin levelled up after Anthony Kelly sent Brendan McLaughlin away with a quick free.
However, that was as good as it got for Malin who failed to score for the next twenty five minutes of normal time and five more added on. Ardara took control of the contest with two more Concarr frees before an excellent Brendan Boyle score from out on the right. Gary McHugh scored from the left after the referee played a good advantage and Concarr added another from play.
Malin pushed and had a few half chances at goal, one effort from Dan McDaid being the closest, but It was left to CJ Molloy to finish the contest with the score of the game deep into injury time with a monster score from out on the left to leave the final score Malin 0-06 Ardara 0-12.
Malin: Darragh McLaughlin; Michael McLaughlin, Conor Farren, Connor McColgan; Kieron McColgan, Paul McLaughlin (0-2, 1 45), Declan Walsh; Anthony Kelly, John C Doherty; Dan McDaid, Oisin McGonagle, Brendan McLaughlin (0-3, 2f); Seamus Houghton, Gary Farren (0-1). Subs: Darren McLarkey for McColgan (20)
Ardara: Cathal Gallagher; Kelvin Slowey, Kenny Doherty, Paddy McGrath; Johnny Herron, John Ross Molloy, Nicky Maguire; Jimmy McConnell, CJ Molloy (0-1); Kieran Breslin, Brendan Boyle (0-1), Joe Melly (0-1); Paul Walters (0-1), Gareth Concarr (0-6, 4f), Gary McHugh (0-2). Subs used: Conor Gallagher for Herron (38), Tony Harkin for Melly (38), Peter McHugh for McConnell (57).
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