In a game between two teams lacking confidence, Ardara earned a much-needed win but can also be thankful for two gifted goals from the home side which had a big impact on the result.
The goals came before and after half-time, turning the game on its head and with Ardara having the elements behind them in the second half, the final result was inevitable.
Aodh Ruadh had the majority of possession in the first half but would certainly not have been happy with a two-point lead heading to the dressing room.
They had three points in the space of 12 minutes, a mark, a free and a 45.
Paul Walsh put Ardara on goal after 14 minutes, but Cian Rooney responded six minutes later for Aodh Ruadh.
But then disaster struck for Aodh Ruadh when Michael McKenna’s free kick from the back of midfield went straight to KJ Molloy and with Karl O’Brien not on his goal, Molloy charged forward to lob it over and the sides were level.
The impressive Jack Gallagher put Aodh Ruadh back in front with two free kicks, one of which he won himself.
Conor Classon defended the wind for Ardara but rushed forward to allow Callum Malley a good goal.
In the sixth minute of added time, Jack Gallagher scored his sixth goal of the half and the half-time score was Aodh Ruadh 0-7, Ardara 1-2.
Things got even better for Ardara two minutes after the restart when substitute Niall McCrossan scored the second goal with his first possession. It looked like he was going for a point but the Aodh Ruadh goalkeeper and defenders combined to fumble the ball into the net.
Cian Rooney pulled Aodh Ruadh back with a free kick in the 38th minute after good work from substitute Shane Delahunty. Ardara should have scored a third in the 44th minute when CJ Molloy was fouled in the box as he contested a high pass. From the penalty spot, KJ Molloy’s effort was saved by Karl O’Brien and he also stopped the follow-up. Aodh Ruadh burst forward with Delahunty involved before Jack Gallagher put the home side back in front.
O’Brien made a great save from Kevy Whyte before the third goal was scored in the 50th minute, with CJ Molloy again involved, parrying a pass and cousin John Ross Molloy firing the ball low into the net.
This time Ardara continued with points from Callum Malley, KJ Molloy (Mark) and CJ Molloy to take a 3-5 to 0-8 lead.
Aodh Ruadh pushed forward and after losing possession, John Ross Molloy played a great pass over the bar to Callum Malley, who rushed forward to support cornerback Charlie Bennett and finished the fourth ball low into the net.
Diarmaid McInerney and Cian Rooney scored last-minute free kicks to add to the scoreboard’s brilliance.
Aodh Ruadh goalscorers: Jack Gallagher 0-7.4f,1m,1’45’; Cian Rooney 0-3.2f; Diarmaid McInerney 0-1,f.
Ardara Goalscorers: KJ Molloy 1-1.1 marks; John Ross Molloy, Niall McCrossan, Charlie Bennett 1-0 each; Callum Malley 0-2; CJ Molloy, Paul Walsh 0-1 each.
Aodh Ruadh: Karl O’Brien; Michael McKenna, Conor Patton, Johnny Gethins; Niall Murray, Eddie Lynch, Colm McGloin; Matthew Gillespie, Darren Drummond; Cian Rooney, Philip Patton, Senan Rooney; Jack Gallagher, David Dolan, Nathan Boyle.
Substitutes: Shane Delahunty for N Murray (17); Diarmaid McInerney for P Patton (28); Darragh Dolan for McKenna (41); Cian Dolan for D Dolan (54).
Ardara: Paddy Gallagher; Charlie Bennett, Shane Whyte, Shane Mooney; Danny Walsh, Paddy McGrath, Darragh Hennigan; Matthew Sweeney, John Ross Molloy; Paul Walsh, Johnny McHugh, Callum Malley; Conor Classon, CJ Molloy, KJ Molloy.
Substitutions: Kevin Whyte for P McGrath (12); Niall McCrossan and Oisin O’Donnell for J McHugh and M Sweeney (ht); Cian Sweeney for P Walsh (57)
referee: Stephen Doherty (Red Hughes)
