Michael Devlin, St. Brigid’s gets out in front of Colm Duffin, Tir na nOg
ACHL Division 2
St. Brigid’s Cloughmills 0-11 Tir na nOg 3-11
St. Brigid’s Cloughmills looked to be still feeling the effects of an extremely tough season in Division 1 last year, which ended in relegation after one season, when they entertained Tir na nOg, Randalstown in the opening round of Division 2 on Sunday.
The visitors looked the sharper and more focused side right from the first whistle and raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead by the sixth minute through Kevin Sheerin, Sean Duffin and Conor Fitzgerald with the home sides score coming from James Doherty.
The Whitehill side continued to press forward and were rewarded with a goal from Kevin Sheerin following excellent work from Declan Mallon whose pace was to cause the home defence problems throughout the game.
A superb point from a side-line cut by Michael Devlin should have inspired his colleagues but instead it was Tir na nOg who responded through Emmet Martin, Sean Duffin from a massive 70 meter free and Ciaran Logan, who took advantage of a misplaced puck out.
Liam Kearns lifted the siege momentarily as he sent over at the other end but Emmet Martin hit back with goal number two for the visitors after being set up by Declan Mallon for the visitors to put them ten in front with four minute remaining to the break. Again points from Michael Devlin and Oggy Laverty hinted at revival for the ‘Biddies’ but it was Tir na nOg who finished strongly with two pointed frees from Kevin Sheerin to maintain their 10 point advantage at the short whistle.
Sean Duffin, who had a good game for Tir na nOg looks up before delivering the sliotar
Half Time: Cloughmills 0.5 (5) Tír na nÓg 2.9 (15)
With the wind now behind them the home side would have been looking for better in the second half and Michael Devlin fired over to get them off to a good start in the opening minute but the excellent Kevin Sheerin responded from a long range free with three minutes gone.
Devlin again and Liam Kearns lifted the ‘Biddies’ hopes with points in the 35th and 40th minutes but the home side were being closed down quickly every time they got possession by a strong and skilful Randalstown team who were winning the individual battles in nearly every sector of the field.
Kevin Sheerin replied for the visitors from another well struck free and despite points from Oggy Laverty and Michael Devlin for the ‘Village’ St. Brigid’s never really looked like getting back in touch as the Whitehill men continued to close down and hunt in packs.
As Cloughmills threw more men forward they were caught on the break and Darragh Fegan and Declan Mallon combined to set up Pearse Sheerin for a 62nd minute goal which ended any lingering hopes of a comeback. Oggy Laverty fired over a consolation point for St. Brigid’s who were probably relieved to hear the final whistle.
This was a good win for Tir na nOg and on this performance they look a side capable of testing anyone in division 2 this year. They were solid in defence with Ruidi Graham in goals, Daniel Martin, Colm Duffin and Tony Martin giving nothing away.
Caoimhinn Duffin and Connor Fitzgerald held sway at mid-field while Sean Duffin, Kevin Sheerin and Declan Martin were best in a lively attack.
Last year Clooney Gaels were relegated from division 1 but were expected to make a strong challenge in division 2 but a poor start to the season and a number of injuries saw them struggle and they were finally relegated to division 3.
I’m not suggesting that this will happen to Cloughmills but it’s always difficult to re-adjust following a season where they took some heavy defeats and they looked a shadow of the side who gained promotion in 2016 and lifted an Ulster Intermediate title.
Never the less they still have the majority of that side in their ranks and if they can get a couple of wins under their belts then they may still be challenging for honours come the end of the season and in Chris McKiernan, Sean McKendry, Conor Laverty, Michael Morrison, Michael Devlin, Geoffery Og Laverty and Liam Kearns they had good performers on the day.
Cloughmills scorers: Michael Devlin (0.5- 4frees/1sideline), Oggy Laverty (0.3), Liam Kearns (0.2), James Doherty (0.1)
Cloughmills: Chris McKiernan, Sean McKendry, Joseph Smyth, Cathair McLaughlin, Daniel McLaughlin, Conor Laverty, Steven martin, Aaron Smylie, Michael Morrison, Eoin Dobbin, Michael Devlin, James Doherty, Geoffery Og Laverty, Kevin McKillop, Liam Kearns
Tír na nÓg scorers: Kevin Sheerin (1.5- 5frees), Emmet Martin (1.2), Pearse Sheerin (1.0) Sean Duffin (0.2), Conor Fitzgerald (0.1), Ciaran Logan (0.1).
Tir na nOg: .Ruidi Graham, Stephen Carey, Daniel Martin, Brendan Kerr, Kevin Kerr Colm Duffin,. Tony Martin, Caoimhinn Duffin 9. Connor Fitzgerald Sean Duffin , Pearse Sheerin,. Ciaran Logan, Emmet Martin,. Kevin Sheerin, Declan Mallon Subs: 17. D. Fegan 18. R. O’Neill 19. M. Higgins 20. E. Heffron
Subs used: Ryan O’Neill for Stephen Carey (48mins), Darragh Fegan for Colm Duffin (56mins)
Referee: Torlac Conway (Ballinascreen)
St. Brigid’s Cloughmills
Tir na nOg who recorded a good win on the opening day of the season in Cloughmills