Annaghdown canter home as Leitir Mór fail to ignite

Annaghdown 3-13

Leitir Mór 1-7

ANNAGHDOWN’S ability to win primary possession, particularly under the kick-out, and their capacity to translate this into a litany of fine scores, albeit in this case against an underwhelming Leitir Mór outfit, have seriously enhanced Willie Hughes’ charges senior championship credentials.

While one would imagine An Cheathrú Rua – who defeated Salthill/Knocknacarra in their SFC opener at the weekend – will provide a much stiffer test for Annaghdown, they can be more than satisfied with the manner in which they went out about their business in this one-sided affair in the Stadium on Sunday.

Central to the win was Annaghdown’s dominance under the kick-out, with the victors claiming 11 of the 17 in the first half, with all of these, remarkably, won off the Leitir Mór restart. Reaping such a rich supply of possession, it was no wonder then that Annaghdown held a 2-8 to 0-1 lead at the interval.

That said, this tie was as good as done and dusted by the end of the first quarter as Annaghdown led 1-4 to no score. In that opening spell, their great servant Frank Burke (two frees) and man of the match Damian Comer (free and play) kicked four superb points before their side struck for their opening goal.

In many respects, Annaghdown’s 10th minute major exemplified their swift style of play – they were so comfortable in their handling – as Martin O’Neill got on the end of a move involving Ger Raftery and Brendan Dooley to plant his effort beyond a helpless Eoin Ó Curraoin.

The momentum was all with Annaghdown now. Despite being careless with an earlier effort, Burke converted another free before they raced in for another goal on 18 minutes. Again, the movement was breathtaking with Aidan Burke, link man Raftery and Enda Mullarkey all to the fore in a passage that concluded with Comer, although unbalanced, catching a long delivery and adjusting his footing and wheeling around, he rifled his shot to the net. Top corner. Top class.

Although Leitir Mór subsequently kicked their first and only score of the half through Patrick Marc Ó Fatharta – they, incredibly, only had two attempts at the target in the opening period – Annaghdown powered on to kick three more points through Burke, Comer (free) and Raftery before the break.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.