Madden 0-16 Maghery 1-12
Niall Smith was the hero for Madden as his late fisted score saw them overcome Maghery by the minimum of margins. Mark Harte’s side came from behind to defeat the Loughshore men, having trailed by four at one stage.
Madden were the slicker team in the second period but a Ronan Lappin goal put Maghery ahead. The Raparees showed their battling spirit however to produce the goods and claim six of the last seven points.
Ronan Lappin punched over the game’s first score when Padraig O’Keefe’s shot dropped dangerously short. Maghery could also have grabbed a goal but Stefan Forker’s effort was blocked down by Tony O’Hagan.
Joe Sheridan and Kevin Robinson (free) traded scores and Maghery failed to score for the next 20 minutes. It was the Raparees club who took over in terms of the scoreboard and they hit seven in a row.
Conor Grimley and Joe Sheridan fired off two-pointers while Aron McKenna chipped in a with a brace of fisted scores. Darragh McMullen also got on the scoresheet while Forker got the final score of the half, leaving Madden in front 0-8 to 0-3.
Niall Grimley pointed straight from the throw in but Maghery nailed six on the bounce to match Madden’s tally. Robinson (two-point free), Tomas Toye and John Mackle scored before Forker fired over a huge two-pointer from the dead ball.
Paidi Comiskey fisted over with his first touch after coming in but a two-pointer from Ben Crealey saw the lead switch hands. Maghery then pushed further in front when Lappin punched home Steven Fox’s crossfield ball.
Madden pulled back three much needed scores from Niall Grimley, Donal Rafferty and Conor Grimley (free). Padraig O’Keefe edged Maghery ahead once more but scores from Ciaran Rafferty and Smith saw Madden crawl over the line.