Mayo Senior League Division 2 (Sunday, 1st of April)

Lahardane.....................2-13
Bonniconlon...................2-08

This game started at a frantic pace, Bonniconlon had the ball in the Lahardane net twice in the first three minutes but Lahardane had drawn level by the tenth minute. It was very entertaining for the supporters and a splendid second half performance saw the home side take both points on offer at Glenhest on Sunday, 1st of April.

Bonniconlon half forward David Melvin goaled within seconds of the throw in when his team mates cut through the Lahardane defence. Cormac Rowland pointed for Lahardane from a free, immediately Kevin Foody finished to the net after good work by his brother Seamus at full forward. Lahardane realised they would have to wake or else be in for a hammering, this they did and Cormac Rowland kicked two frees sandwiched by a fine goal by Declan Leonard after a pass from Shane Blake. Both Brian McDermott and Cormac Rowland traded a brace of points each from placed balls. Lahardane gained control coming up towards half time and points from Cormac Rowland (2), Shane Blake and John Rowland put their team ahead for the first time in the game, however points from Noel Harrington and McDermott left the teams level at the break.

Bonniconlon again started well, but superb defending from Trevor Marley, his brother Adrian Marley making a brilliant return after almost three years to competitive football after a serious knee operation and John McDonnell made life frustrating for the Bonniconlon forwards. The game was evenly balanced at this stage, however a period of Lahardane supremecy, which resulted in a cracking goal from Cormac Rowland and points from John Rowland (2) and Shane Blake swung the game very much in their favour. The second half never reached the same levels of excitement as the first. Des McCann pointed two left footed frees for Bonniconlon, however Cormac Rowland completed a superb total of (1-8) with two points to push his side further ahead as the game enterd injury time.

For the winners the Marley brothers and John McDonnell, when moved to the backs were excellent. Anthony McDermott and Chris Barrett worked tirelessly at midfield and James Gillespie, Declan Leonard, Shane Blake along with Cormac and John Rowland were good in attack. Bonniconlon will be disappointed after getting off to a great start, but they had good performances from Fintan O Donnell and James Rafter in the backs Seamus Glacken toiled away at midfield, while Noel Harrington, Seamus Foody and Brian McDermott were the best of the forwards.

Lahardane: C. McAndrew, R. McDermott, J. J. Leonard, M. Marley, T. Marley, D. Kelly, B. Rowland, A. McDermott, C. Barrett, J. McDonnell, J. Gillespie, J. Rowland (0-3); D. Leonard, (1-0) S. Blake, (0-2) C. Rowland, (1-8). Subs.: A. Marley (for D. Kelly); V.Cawley (for B. Rowland).

Bonniconlon: K. O Malley, N. Fox, S. O Donnell, P. Reape, O. Murray, F. O'Donnell, J. Rafter, D. Judge, S. Glacken, K. Foody (1-0); N. Harrington (0-1); D.Melvin (1-0); D. McCann (0-2) S. Foody, B. McDermott (0-5). Subs.: N. Loftus (for D. Judge).

Referee: Michael Herr (Crossmolina).