Ardfert’s great unbeaten run ends at the hands of Feale Rangers

Thursday June 21 2007

It had to end. And it did. After a run of three years and 23 matches unbeaten Ardfert have finally sampled the bitter taste of championship defeat. In any man's language 23 games unbeaten is a magnificent achievement and while they were deservedly beaten by Feale Rangers, they demonstrated a dogged determination not to go down without a fight.

Feale Rangers will have every reason to be happy with their display, especially in defence where Declan Griffin excelled for the home side at half back - especially in the first half.

Feale started much the brighter taking a two point lead within seven minutes, from the boot of the excellent Sean McCarthy. Ardfert began to claw their way back into the game, however, with Francis Wallace and Jonathan Best overpowering the Rangers in the centre of the field. They broke their duck on eight minutes through Francis Wallace, before Eamonn Fitzmaurice (re-energised following his inter-county retirement) came from deep to strike a magnificent point.

Over the next ten minutes Ardfert were well on top in the possession stakes, but aside from a John Egan free, weren't converting it into scores. The Rangers defence must take credit for this. To stem the tide Paul Galvin, who lined out at full-forward, began dropping back and won some vital ball for Feale.

The sides exchanged points through Noel Kennelly (free) and Eamonn Ferris before Declan Griffin hit arguably the score of the day. Taking the ball on the run some forty yards out he struck a magnificent point. Feale were now in the ascendancy and added another through Patrick Curtin to lead 0-6 to 0-3 at the break.

After the restart the home side remained on top with Sean McCarthy and Noel Kennelly tacking on frees. It was around this time that Ardfert decided to introduce Stephen Wallace who was an injury worry before the game. He certainly had an effect, but perhaps not the effect that the Ardfert management had in mind.

Wallace was the victim of an apparent striking offence from Maurice Corridan just minutes after his introduction. The referee, who didn't see the incident, consulted with his linesman and umpire before producing a straight red for Corridan.

Instead of benefiting Ardfert, however, the incident seemed to galvanise the Rangers who struck back immediately with three Noel Kennelly frees to extend their lead to eight. Ardfert seemed to be fading badly at this stage with Feale Rangers completely dominant. Brian Scanlon added another for Feale on 20 minutes.

But Ardfert haven't gotten where they are by lying down, their renaissance began with a well taken point from Damien Wallace. Paul Galvin got the next score for Feale, a text book example of good play - he started the move and had the clarity of purpose to be at the end of it to take a great score.

From here on in it was all Ardfert, with the advantage of the extra man finally telling. Francis Wallace had a great chance of a goal, but was fouled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Darren Wallace dispatched the spot kick with the minimum of fuss.

Ardfert were in the goals again when on 29 minutes Christopher Wallace palmed the ball into an empty net after receiving a great ball across the box from Stephen Wallace. Feale's lead was down to three points and what followed was a nervous few minutes for the divisional side, but dug deep and managed to hold on despite the efforts of the resurgent Ardfert.