Barry McCormick, Tir na nOg is stopped in his tracks by Shane Delargy, Portglenone as Dermot McAleese moves in
O’ Cahan Cup (Qtr Final)
Casement’s Portglenone 1-11 Tir na Nog Randalstown 1-10
A Ciaran Mc Kenna point in the 59th minute was to prove enough to earn Casement’s, Portglenone a place in the semi final of the O’ Cahan cup when they gained a hard fought victory over a plucky Tir na Nog outfit under the lights at the pristine Portglenone arena on Friday evening.
The Randalstown men had forfeited home advantage for this one but although based a division below the Bannsiders Damien Hagan’s charges matched their hosts for much of the hour and came mighty close to causing a major upset.
Although the Randalstown men started as outsiders in the eyes of the pundits such was certainly not evident in the opening phase as they nipped away on the positive to lead their hosts by three points after the opening twenty minutes.
Dermot Mc Aleese had put the Bannsider’s in front when he raced forward from his central defensive location combining with Michael Kelly to raise a 4th minute white flag.
Both sides in turn had spurned pervious openings to open account before the centre back took the offensive route to finish in style.
The visitors did not hesitate in reply and they were on terms in the 6th minute as Christy Sheerin and Aaron Mc Neilly combined in stylish approach to send Ronan O’ Nell in to split the posts and when Barry Mc Cormick fetched the resultant kick out he was quick to return the leather back between the posts to see the WhitehIll Blues nick the lead.
The Randalstown men having found their feet on an excellent sod continued to lead the way with Barry Mc Cormick and Christy Sheerin dominating the central zone and when Ronan O’ Neill was fouled in close proximity to the posts Dara Feagan knocked the resultant free directly between the posts. Sean Duffin added another and the visitors were at 0-04 to 0-01 at the end of the opening quarter.
Left:Michael Kelly and Right: Paddy Kelly on the attack for Portglenone in their narrow one point win over Tir na nOg
Casement’s seemed to have been caught napping in the early stages and after Paddy Kelly had sent a 30 metre free over the bar, Dara Feagan replied in kind at the other end to keep the gap at three.
Having been second best for much of the opening twenty minutes Portglenone raised their game in the second quarter with Dermot Mc Aleese leading the way as Jude Donnelly’s men took over for a time and four scores without reply in as many minutes saw them take the lead.
A super long range Kelly point was followed by another from advancing wing half back Ciaran Mc Kenna.
The Bannsiders had really taken a firm grip on proceedings as Paddy Kelly’s delivery sent Michael Hagan away on the right to split the posts to see his side on par and another which followed from the boot of Paddy Kelly from a 40 metre free kick edged them 0-06 to 0-05 ahead.
Tir na Nog having been caught were quick to recover however and they were back abreast of their hosts in the 29th minute when Dara Feagan punished a foul on the pace laden Ciaran Dobbin as he sent the award over the bar. Barry McCormick followed with another with the outside of his boot in time added with a fine point to put the visitors 0-07 to 0-06 ahead at the break.
Left: Ciaran Dobbin and Right: Aaron McNeilly who provided a stern test for the Casement’s defence in Friday night’s O’Cahan Cup quarter-final in Portglenone.
Tir na Nog started in the second period with the breeze behind and a point ahead but in the event the advantage was not to remain as the home side struck for a goal shortly after the restart as Paddy Kelly found the net.
The hard working mid-fielder’s shot seemed to be going over in the 32nd minute but the leather dipped and it deceived the Tir na nOg keeper and dropped into the corner of his net.
A savage blow for Damien Hagan’s charges but they were not behind for long and they hit back immediately and Barry McCormick’s advance through the middle was to open the way for Ronan O’ Neill to bag a 35th minute major and the lead had changed hands again.
A Dermot Mc Aleese 36th minute point saw the home side on terms again but as play swung from end to end a fine long range effort by Christy Sheerin saw the Whitehill men regain the lead.
A close encounter with little between the contestants saw replacement Stephen Kelly fire between the posts shortly after introduction and his 48th minute score saw the Portglenone men draw level. Ronan Kelly followed with a pointed free kick and Ciaran Kelly nipped in to collect broken ball in the middle to return between the posts and the home side were a couple ahead at 1-10 to 1-08.
The deal seemed done and the Casement’s men now in the driving seat seemed on their way to the semi-final.
Tir na nOg have other ideas however and they proceeded to return fire as Ciaran Dobbin’s cross opened the door for the elegant Aaron McNeilly to send over and when Christy Sheerin added another from a free they were back on par as the game edged into injury time.
An injury to the unlucky Ronan O’ Neill earlier had ensured a few minutes ‘stoppage time’ would be added and in the event it was to be the home side who took advantage as the impressive Ciaran Mc Kenna made good progress on the left side before evading a couple of tackles to fire between the posts from a difficult angle.
A smashing score which was to prove a worthy winner as the Bannsiders crossed the line on a 1-11 to 1-10 winning scoreline to earn a place in the O’ Cahan Cup semi-final where they face the current holders Erin’s Own Cargin.
Casement’s Portglenone who defeated Tir na nOg Randalstown in the O’Cahan Cup.
The beaten Tir na nOg side
Casement’s: Brian McManus, Ryan McGuigan, Aiden McKee, Jonny Convery, Dermot McAleese (0-02), Ciaran McKenna (0-03), Paddy Kelly (0-02), Shane Delargy, Michael Kelly, Gerard McAleese, Ryan Convery, Michael Hagan, Ronan Kelly (0-02), Paddy Graffin.
Subs
Stephen Kelly (0-01) for P Graffin
Tir na nOg: Sean Paul McAtamney, Barry Magee, Colm Duffin, Gerard Martin, Ciaran Logan, Daniel Martin, Caomhinn Duffin, Christy Sheerin (0-02), Barry McCormick (0-02), Darren McCormick, Dara Feagan (0-03), Sean Duffin (0-01), Aaron McNeilly (0-01), Ronan O’ Neill (1-01), Ciaran Dobbin.
Subs
Michael Tolan for R O’ Neill
Referee Gerard Dougan (Kickham’s Creggan)