Marc McAfee whose two goals for Aghagallon earned his side a win in their opening game of the ACMFL in Creggan last night.
ACMFL
Creggan0-8 Aghagallon 2-7
St. Mary’s Aghagallon travelled to the Staffordstown Road on Friday night and came away with both point to get their ACFL Division 1 campaign under way but they were made to fight all the way by a dogged and well organised Kickham’s Creggan.
Two excellent first half goals from Marc McAfee were the scores that settled it for a good Aghagallon side who at times struggled to break down a packed Creggan defence who tackled hard and retained possession well throughout the hour.
The home side played their U16 football in division 2, two years ago and weren’t expected to stretch one of this year’s league favourites but they continually frustrated the visitor’s efforts through a well organised and determined defence.
.Indeed it was Creggan who were first on the score-sheet when Dominic McAteer pointed an early free but when Aghagallon tried to respond they were wide of the target on four occasions in quick succession.
A goal from Marc McAfee in the 10th minute should have settled the visitors when he got on the end of a good ball from midfield and he cut in from the right to fire past Sean Donnelly and give his side the lead. They continued to press but came up against firm resistance from a hard tackling and well organised Creggan defence.
Dominic McAteer replied at the other end from his second pointed free of the game but Daniel Hannon replied at the other end to restore the visitors two point lead with 13 minutes gone. It seemed only a matter of time until Aghagallon would push on but the home side were playing a sweeper to good affect and retaining possession which was frustrating the opposition.
Adam Loughran edged the visitors further ahead from a 24th minute free and when Marc McAfee collected an astute pass from Callum Fitzpatrick the Lough Shore boys were in the driving seat. Ruairi Loughran added a late point to leave his side 2-3 to 0-2 ahead at the short whistle.
HT 2-3 TO 0-2
The visitors had taken control in the latter part of the opening half and it seemed only a matter of time until they would push on for a comfortable win but it was Creggan who started the second half on the front foot with Lee Johnston and Dominic McAteer hitting early points and Eunan McAteer causing problems with his strong runs from deep in defence.
McAteer took a heavy hit from Pauric Maginnis which earned the perpetrator a yellow card and shortly after the same player saw red for a slap on the dangerous McAteer and when Dominic McAteer pointed from the resulting free it looked game on.
The visitors weren’t about to roll over however and a great point from the impressive Marc McAfee in the 10th minute got them up and going again and as they continued to press they were awarded a ‘45’ with keeper Luke Mulholland stepping forward to take the kick.
The big keeper, who like a number of his colleague had won a Hogan Cup medal with St. Ronan’s Lurgan last Saturday, had his first effort deflected wide for another ‘45’ and this time he sent his effort cleanly between the uprights.
Back came Creggan again and Dominic McAteer pointed a 20 meter free after being fouled himself but Adam Loughran replied with an excellent effort at the other end to keep the gap at five points and despite a big effort from a youthful Creggan that was how it remained.
Adam Loughran and Daire McShane concluded the visitors scoring with Dominic McAteer getting a couple for the Staffordstown Road side whose management must surely be happy with their performance over the hour despite defeat.
Aghagallon are a useful side and will surely be involved in the shakeup come season’s end. They have an experienced backbone in Luke Mulholland, Jamie Lamont, Adam Loughran and Marc McAfee who were all part of the St. Ronan’s success story.
This is a young Creggan side who on this performance will provide a test for most teams this year and in Eunan McAteer, Dominic McAteer, Aaron Hughes, Odhran Hampsey, Lee Johnston and Morgan Nelson they had solid performers.
Creggan: Sean Donnelly, Rory McVeigh, Aaron Hughes, Peter McGinley, Shane Young, Eunan McAteer, Odhran Hampsey, Lee Johnston, Diarmuid Mulholland, Mick Murray, Morgan Nelson, Joe McAteer, Aaron Herbison, Dominic Mc Ateer , Ethan Carey-Small. Subs: Mark McCann for Mick Murray
Aghagallon: Luke Mulholland , Daire McShane, Senan Donnelly, Steven Brannigan, Joe lavelle, Jamie Lamont, Kieran Hamill, Andrew Johnston, Callum Fitzpatrick, Ruairi McShane, Adam Loughran, Marc McAfee, Gerry Downing, Daniel Hannon, Ronan Lavery. Subs: Pauric Maginnis for Ronan Lavery, Donal McStravick for Joe Lavelle. Conor Foster for Michael McStravick
Referee: Eamon McAuley (Erin’s Own)
ACMFL RESULTS
This game concluded the opening week of the Minor league results with wins for Dunloy, Portglenone, St. Gall’s, and St. Brigid’s and St. Paul’s drawing in division 1. In division 2 there were wins for Sarsfields, Clan na Gael and Aldergrove
O’NEILLS ACMFL DIVISION 1
Cuchullains-Dunloy 6-22 Lamh Dhearg 0-1
Tír na nÓg Randalstown 0-5 Casements Portglenone 3-11
Naomh Gall 2-10 Clan na hEireann Carragan 2-8
St. Brigids 1-8 Naomh Pól 2-5
O’NEILLS ACMFL DIVISION 2
St John’s GAC 1-3 Patrick Sarsfields 9-8
Naomh Comhghall 3-8 Clan na Gael 3-9
Naomh Éanna 1-3 Aldergrove 3-11