When the pressure was on the last few weeks this Swinford team stood up and were counted, every man that threw on the jersey, be they on the first fifteen or on the bench. When no-one was giving us a chance, including some of our own we travelled to Bonniconlon and got the win we needed.
Starting the day on 6 points and looking for results to go our way, we first off had to win our own game and that we did. We started the game very nervously and Bonniconlon opened the scoring with a point, before adding a 45. A pointed free from Jack McDonnell got us off the mark but the home team rattled off a free, another 45 and a point from play to take a 4 point lead. A free from Liam Moran kept us ticking over. Despite playing some good football we just could not breach the Bonniconlon defence. A score from play and a free gave Bonni a five point lead but we then found our rhythm and three points from Jack McDonnell, a Mark Forkan point and a free from Jack had us level just before the break. Bonniconlon got one just before the break to lead 0-8 to 0-7.
Jack McDonnell added another free shortly after the restart to levele the game for the second time. Bonniconlon then added three points to take a good lead. Kevin McShea pulled one back before Jack added what appeared to be a fine point but not given by any of the officials. Jack soon added another free followed by a free from Liam Moran as we brought it back to a point. Bonniconlon added their twelfth point. Mark Forkan leveled the game for the third time before Liam Moran put us ahead for the first time with ten minutes left. Then came a crucial moment in the game, a great save by Aaron Kinsella in the Swinford goal kept our lead intact and in the game. Bonniconlon leveled but with his third point of the game Mark Forkan put us back in the lead. There was one more throw of the dice for Bonniconlon with a 45 deep into injury time but thankfully it sailed to the left of the post and wide. A great win on a score of Bonniconlon 0-14 Swinford 0-13 at a ground that it is never easy to come away with the two points.
That win puts us on 8 points level with Bonniconlon, Louisburgh and Castlebar Mitchells. The Mitchells did not field a team a team against Shrule this morning and are relegated as a result and we defeated both Bonniconlon and Louisburgh over the season and surely stay up on the basis of head to head.
The forwards will get the credit (richly deserved) but our defence was outstanding today led by our keeper Aaron Kinsella with two great saves at crucial times during each half. Whatever happens in the coming days in the committee rooms of Mchale Park to decide our fate the team have been outstanding in the last few months, Everyone has given huge commitment over the season and with a bit of luck and fortune in some games would be pushing near the top of the division.
Swinford Aaron Kinsella, Aiden McLoughlin, Sean Brady, Alan McLoughlin, James Lavin, Mark Forkan, Joshua Smith, Johnny Burke, Michael Walsh, Michael Prendergast, James Sweeney, Liam Moran, Kevin McShea, Jack McDonnell, Darren Campbell Subs Kevin Barry, Jason McLoughlin, Tom Horkan, Conor Conway, Anto Friel, Mark McNicholas,
Scorers Jack McDonnell 0-7, Mark Forkan 0-3, Liam Moran 0-3, Kevin McShea 0-1