O’Neills Sportswear Antrim Hurling League Division One
St John’s 2-13 O’Donovan Rossa 1-14
Both these sides had impressive wins on day one of the ACHL Division 1 so a close encounter was anticipated when they met at Corrigan Park on Sunday and so it proved to be.
It was nip and tuck all the way and looked anybody’s game but the ‘Johnnies’ gained the upper hand as the contest entered the closing stages.
The game got underway in less than ideal conditions and didn’t improve as the rain came down but despite this both sides combined to serve up a highly entertaining and compelling contest.
There was a real competitive edge about the game from the throw in with every ball fiercely contested but in the end it was the free taking of Oisin McManus that swung it in the way of the Whiterock men.
MacManus finished with 1-8 from placed ball, his goal in the first half having a bit of fortune about it, while Conor Johnston was excellent in attack as he contributed 0-4 from open play.
For Rossa, Diarmuid Rogan was superb from both frees and play, hitting nine in total, and it was the Shaw’s Road side that looked like taking the spoils as they moved two ahead with ten minutes remaining.
Down came he rain just as the game began, making conditions difficult but it didn’t deter either side as they went at it tooth and nail right from the throw in.
Aided by a stiff wind, Rossa were first to register with midfield pair Diaarmuid Rogan and Conall Shannon pointing in the opening minute.
Oisin MacManus got the Johnnies on the board from a ‘65’ but the visitors continued to make the early running with Rogan and MacManus swapping points before the Rossa man added pointed frees of his own either side of a fine effort from Dara Rocks.
St John’s began to grow into it with MacManus replying from two frees and they started to get their running game going with Conor Johnston getting their first from play after 17 minutes to close the gap to one.
Rogan replied with a free, but the Johnnies were starting to come into their own and a fine move saw Johnston in the clear and he fired over the equaliser.
The Johnnies hit the front as a MacManus free was dropped, under pressure by Rossa goalkeeper Domhnall Moran and ended in the net.
Rossa responded however to finish the half strongly and Rogan pointed a free before Eoin Trainor converted directly from a sideline to reduce the arrears to one at the short whistle with St John’s leading 1-7 to 0-9.
A heavy shower during the interval made conditions more difficult as the sides emerged for the second half but it was St. John’s who made the better start with Stephen Tierney splitting the posts from an acute angle. Oisin Donnelly then cut through to finish to the net to put his side five ahead with only four minutes of the second period played and the momentum was very much with the home side.
Rossa regrouped however as Diarmuid Rogan replied from play and followed from a free as conditions worsened with players from both sides losing their footing.
The visitors then got the break they needed on 47 minutes as Stephen Shannon sent a low ball into the danger area and although Eoghan McMenamin fumbled his attempt to gather, Declan McCartney was on hand to finish to the net and the sides were level.
McMenamin then hit back-to-back points and Rossa appeared to be heading for victory but back came St John’s as Conor Johnston had a shot tipped over and MacManus landed yet another free.
He would connect with two more before Rogan replied with one of his own to leave one in it in added time, but McManus had the final say as he converted again for what would prove to be the insurance score.
St. John’s: D Creggan; O Carleton, C Morgan, C McEvoy; R McNulty, Ciaran Johnston, D McGuinness; a McMahon, S Wilson; Conor Johnston (0-4), S Tierney (0-1), O Donnelly (1-0); O MacManus (1-8, 1-7f, 0-1 65), S Shannon, R Galbraith.
Subs: D C arson for S Shannon (HT), M Dudley for R Galbraith (HT), A McGowan for C McEvoy (45), M McCartin for D McGuinness (60), J McAllister for S Wilson (60+7).
Rossa: D Moran; O McVicker, C Orchin, N Crossan; E Trainor (0-1 sl), C McGuinness, S Shannon; D Rogan (0-9, 5f), C Shannon (0-1); E McMenamin (0-2), P Short, D Rocks (0-1); T Morgan, D McCartney (1-0), C Boyle.
Subs: N Devlin for D Rocks (55), R Murray for C Boyle (59), A McLean for C Shannon (60+6)
Referee: Colm McDonald (St Gall’s)