Corduff were expected to win this preliminary round meeting with Fergal O'Hanlons they did but it was far from a convincing performance for part of this game and it was only in the final quarter that they imposed themselves effectively to run out fairly comprehensive winners, although a margin of defeat of 22 points probably doesn't do full justice to a battling performance by Fergal O'Hanlon's. Played in the bitterly cold and blustery conditions in Blackhill this was a game that never rose to any great heights as a contest and while Corduff were in control for practically the entire game they found it difficult to translate possession into scores as a total of 19 wides will attest, 11 of which happened in the first half. O'Hanlon's for their part battled gamely throughout and it was only in the final quarter that they were over run although entering the final quarter they could have been a little closer had they been able capitalise on some good possession and approach work but too often their distribution in particular let them down and hard-won possession was squandered needlessly. That said though Fergal O'Hanlon's are an improving side although if Corduff had been a little more clinical in the finishing stakes the game as a contest would have been all over by the halfway stage. As it was Corduff led by seven points at half-time and when Fergal O'Hanlon's got their goal 14 minutes into the second half only eight points separated the sides. However from there to finish it was increasingly Corduff with Raymond Byrne at full forward causing untold problems and his role as target man full forward was central in to Corduff adding 2-7 without reply in the final quarter. They will though be aware that they will need to do better if they are to progress to the championship. Corduff played with the very strong wind in the first half and it certainly played a part in their finishing with numerous chances from reasonable distance simply blown off target. Corduff were wide of the mark twice before Martin Mills opened their account in the third minute and two minutes later Raymond Byrne converted a free to put them two in front. A quick break by Lee McArdle saw a centre by him break favourably to Fran Monaghan who rifled to the net to put Corduff five points in front after seven minutes. It looked as it was going to be one way traffic from there on but Corduff only scored two further points in the following 13 minutes to lead by seven after 20 minutes and Fergal O'Hanlon's unlucky that they did not open their account from two promising attacks in that time. Corduff's series of wides continued after George McKitterick's point in the 20th minute that put them seven in front and a further seven minutes elapsed before Raymond Byrne extended their lead to eight and Fergal O'Hanlons yet to score a with just three minutes of normal time remaining in the first half. Entering the final minute of normal time O'Hanlon's did find the target when a long ball in from Ronan McKenna found Diarmuid McKenna who had raced forward to support the attack and he slotted over. In stoppage time they had a chance to take another score but David Ballantine's effort dropped short to the keeper to leave the half-time score Corduff 1-5, Fergal O'Hanlon's 0-1. The opening six minutes of the second half saw Fergal O'Hanlon's exerting a period of pressure on Corduff but a free in by Gabriel Treanor came off the crossbar, another effort by Michael Cawley was off target while a '45 by David Ballantine dropped short and was cleared. The action quickly swung to the other end but good defensive work saw Raymond Byrne having two efforts blocked in quick succession and their wides tally extend to 12 before Byrne converted a free in the seventh minute after he himself had been fouled to put Corduff 8 points in front. Corduff added three points in the following six minutes, Shane McNally snr. fisting over at the end of a good move, Fran Monaghan picking off a nice point when he collected a clearance after O'Hanlons' keeper Francis McCaffrey had taken off a good save to deny George McKitterick and Raymond Byrne with the third point when he got on the end of a centre by Fran Monaghan to put Corduff 11 points in front. A minute later that margin was down to eight when Charlie Cawley, one on Fergal O'Hanlon's best performers on the night, worked extremely hard in the right corner before sending in a cross that was fisted to the net by David Ballantine to give the indication that they were going to make a fight of it. Ultimately though they were unable to add to that tally despite a number of chances while Corduff responded with their strongest period of the game and by the 18th minute they had added 1-3 without reply to open a 14 points gap, Raymond Byrne with the goal in the 18th minute after good work by Shane McNally senior and George McKitterick, while McKitterick got two of the points and Shane McNally senior got the other. The game as a contest was now effectively all over with Corduff introducing a number of substitutes and to their credit they did not lift their foot off the pedal and they went on to hit points by Raymond Byrne in the 20th minute, Mark Gilsenan the 21st, Gilsenan again in the 23rd and then a third goal from Raymond Byrne in the 24th minute to effectively turn the proceedings into a procession. The O'Hanlon's challenge had now evaporated and Corduff went on to add two further points, one by substitute Michael Fox and the other by substitute Niall Reilly when he was placed for what looked like a good goal chance with an excellent cross by Raymond Byrne but in the final analysis it was of little consequence as Corduff had matters completely wrapped up at that stage. Teams and Scorers: Corduff: Jason hand, Ciaran Malone, Coaran Brennan, Gerry Mee, Shane McNally snr. 0-1, Declan Larkin, Shane McNally jnr 0-1, Shane Connolly, Fran Monaghan 1-1, Martin Mills 0-2, George McKitterick 0-3, Lee McArdle, Noel Crossan, Raymond Byrne 2-5 (0-2f), Mark Gilsenan 0-2. Subs: Paddy McMahon for N Crossan, Alan Mee for S McNally snr., Pauric Gollogly 0-1 for L McArdle, Niall Reilly 0-1 for M Mills, Michael Fox 0-1 for C Malone. Fergal O'Hanlons: Francis McCaffrey, Luke Murray, Diarmuid McKenna 0-1, Barry Reddan, Darren Johnston, Ronan Mckenna, Martin McDonald, Seamus McCaffrey, Charlie Cawley, Raymond Treanor, Michael Cawley, Stephen Cassidy, John McDonald, David Ballantine, Danny McQuaid. Subs: Gabriel Treanor for B Reddan, Danny McKenna for J McDonald, Niall Hamill for M Cawley, Barry Reddan for D McQuaid. Referee: Anthony Tate (Rockcorry).
