Shane O’Neill’s 0-10 Madden 0-11
Madden came away from Camlough with a hard-fought one-point win over Shane O’Neill’s to retain their spot at the top of Group C.
It was nip and tuck the whole way through the game, but the travelling side deserved to come out on top.
Both teams were minus a couple of star names but still have enough quality on show to serve up an entertaining encounter.
Shane O’Neill’s made the brighter start as Greg McCabe, who began the game at full forward, pointed a mark.
McCabe was then upended for a second score for the home side as Aodhan Conlon popped over the resulting free.
Conor Grimley opened Madden’s account to narrow the gap, but his score was soon matched by Raymond Fitzpatrick (45).
Oisin O’Hara nailed his first of the afternoon but the Shane’s kept their two-point advantage through McCabe.
Conor Grimley traded scores with Conlon before a Grimley brace tied things up at the short whistle. The score at half time was Shane O’Neill’s 0-5 Madden 0-5.
Second half
The Raparees got their noses ahead for the first time in the game shortly after the turnaround through Ciaran Rafferty.
Pierce McGirr tied things up for last year’s Intermediate champions, but his score was matched by Joe Sheridan.
Madden were reduced to 14 men for a ten-minute period as Donal Rafferty picked up a black card for a cynical foul.
Ryan Quinn tapped over the resulting free to level the game, while Quinn and Grimley swapped scores.
A superb interception from Paddy Carr sent Madden on the move again and the attack was finished by Grimley.
McCabe levelled matters once more while Madden edged ahead by two points through Grimley and Aron McKenna.
Shane’s claimed the final score of the night through Odhran Doherty (free) but it wasn’t enough to earn a point.
