Fr Manning Gaels bounced back from a heavy defeat to Longford Slashers with a deserved three point win over Carrickedmond on Friday night.
Manning Gaels showed an extra step in quality in their forward line as they secured a 1-12 to 12 points win thanks to a goal from a lively Ryan Crowe.
It was Gaels who struck first leading by three points to nil after three minutes thanks to scores from Liam Lynch, Colm Cassidy and Paddy Collum.
In truth Gaels should have had a goal in the first attack, Conor Keenan being forced onto his weaker left foot as the Carrickedmond defence opened in front of him. While Keenan couldn’t connect with the ball, Lynch sent over a point from the spilled ball.
Carrickedmond chipped away at the scoreboard and points from Sean Kelly and Eoghan McCormack brought it back to a one point game before the sides exchanged points via Lynch and McCormack.
Martin Cassidy sent over a free to level five points to three at the first water break.
As prevalent in many post covid games, the water break showed a change in momentum, A McCormack free, a fisted Kyle Kenny point and a Johnny Gerty point put Carrickedmond in front for the first time on 28 minutes.
Darren Farrelly levelled the scoring before points from McCormack and Kenny saw Carriedmond lead eight points to six at half-time.
Gaels took full advantage of the hill in the second half and used big Paddy Collum to effect in central midfield with Emmet Noonan’s distribution a telling difference.
Four minutes after the resumption Gaels were level thanks to points from Cian Cassidy and Noonan. Carrickedmond responded with a point each from a McCormack free and Sean Kelly.
Once the clock hit 40 the game swung in Manning Gaels favour with quick points from a Martin Cassidy free, Ryan Crowe, Colllum (free) and Noonan moving 12 points to 10 clear.
Aidan McGuire made it a one point game nine minutes from time, but three minutes later came the defying goal.
Gaels were running the ball at this stage and looked fitter as they caught Carrickedmond on the counter, moving the ball across the face of the goal for Crowe to fist home a three-pointer.
Carrickedmond through everything at it and brought it back to a three point game on 60 minutes thanks to Sean Kelly, but Gaels defence held strong for victory.
