Sean Duffin and Barry McCormick who were in fine form for Tir na nOg as they defeated Dunloy at Whitehill in the ACFL Division 2 today
A C League Division Two (round two)
Tir na Nog 4-08 Tir na Nog 1-10
After losing out in their opening game of the season when losing to Davitt’s Tir na nOg, Randalstown came good at Whitehill in round two when they defied the challenge of a spirited Dunloy side to take the points.
The home side were quickly into stride and leading 3-05 to 1-05 at the break they always looked in control despite the efforts of their visitors and indeed they did take opportunity to introduce a full compliment of replacements in the latter stages.
Damien Hagan’s charges were quickly out of the start traps and an 8th minute goal secured by wing half forward Darragh Feagan gave the Whitehill Blues the benefit of a four point lead.
Kevin Kerr had opened account for the Randalstown men when he received from Darragh Feagan in the 3rd minute to split the posts, and it was after a well led counter following a timely Barry Magee interception that paved the way for Feagan to despatch to the net.
Dunloy, who had come late to claim a full return of the points in an opening round ‘smash and grab’ defeat of All Saint’s in their opening game soon found their feet at Whitehill and a trio of white flags raised in turn by Conal Cunning, Keelin Molloy and Shane Dooey ensured they were only a point in arrears.
An excellent Aaron Mc Neilly point doubled the home side’s advantage when Kevin Kerr’s delivery sent him scampering away on the right hand side to finish with perfection.
The visitors were quick to offer reply however as Kevin Fitzpatrick fired over the bar at the end of what had been a lively opening quarter in excellent conditions at a bright and sunny Whitehill with little separating the sides.
Tir na Nog still had a slender advantage but the next phase would see Damien Hagan’s charges up the ante and extend their lead.
Colm Duffin split the posts in the 18th minute to extend advantage for the men from the Hill and after Darren Mc Cormick followed suit in splendid delivery a minute later, Sean Duffin grabbed a 20th minute goal.
Darragh Feagan having rose highest to collect away out on the left hand side and proceeded to find the hard grafting Ronan O’ Neill in space.
The full forward’s transferred to the incoming Sean Duffin who despatched to the back of the net to make it 2-04 to 0-04.
The home side seemed on top and moved further away when Darragh Feagan clipped a close free between the posts but the fact that the Cuchullain’s were not there to make up the numbers was made quite clear in the 26th minute as the very lively Conal Cunning nipped in to find the net.
The home defence had dithered to deal with Keelan Molloy’s lob into the danger area and it was the corner forward who was first to react as he planted the leather in the back of the Randalstown net.
The home side were quick to return to the offensive again however after the major concession and when Darragh Feagan collected again and sent Sean Duffin racing in on target to be upended in flight a penalty was the prompt decision.
Sean Redmond came forward to assume spot kick duty and with positive return as he firmly directed the leather to the corner of the net.
Dunloy had the last say of the half as the ever accurate Keelan Molloy directed a long range delivery over the bar in time added but Tir na nOg took respite of the short blast 3-05 to 1-05 ahead.
Although they did start the second half six points in arrears the Dunloy men were quickly off the start blocks in anticipation of better in the concluding thirty minutes.
The ever busy Conal Cunning had the ball over the bar just seconds into the new half and when both Keelan Molloy and Liam Mc Cann followed suit they were much in contention just three points in arrears at the 37th minute.
The home side having made a couple of switches took time to adjust and when Darragh Feagan and replacement Kevin Sheerin added points apiece they looked comfortable again leading 3-07 to 1-08 at the start of the fourth quarter.
Dunloy were still in search of scores with Conal Cunning and the pace laden Liam Mc Cann continuing to ask questions of the home side’s rear guard and when Keelan Molloy took aim to send a 35 metre free over the bar the visitors still looked capable of causing problems for the ‘Blues’.
Tir na nOg needed the addition of a score and indeed such was soon to follow in stylish fashion as a Darren Mc Cormick fetch and a smart cross field delivery sent Ciaran Mc Keown racing in on the target to plant the ball in the corner of the net and that was that.
Kevin Sheerin and Kevin Fitzpatrick swapped scores in turn in the latter stages but the die had been cast and Tir na nOg men breasted the finish line points secured at 4-08 to 1-10.
Teams
Tir na Nog
Sean Paul Mc Atamney, Barry Magee, Colm Duffin (0-01), Declan Mallon, Sean Redmond (1-00), Daniel Martin, Caomhinn Duffin, Malachy Duffin, Darren Mc Cormick (0-01), Kevin Kerr (0-01), Ciaran Mc Keown, Sean Duffin (1-00), Darragh Feagan (1-02), Ronan O’ Neill, Aaron Mc Neilly (0-01).
Subs
Kevin Sheerin (0-02) for M Duffin
Ciaran Logan for D Feagan
Pearse Sheerin for K Kerr
Barry Mc Cormick for D Martin
Michael Toal for A Mc Neilly
Dunloy
Conor Mc Gilligan, Stephen Mc Toal, Karl O’ Kane, Ciaran Hughes, Patrick Conlon, Jamie Mc Ferran, Christopher Mc Mahon, Eoin Gillen, Kevin Mc Quillan, Karl Fitzpatrick (0-02), Keelin Molloy (0-04), Shane Dooey (0-01), Kevin Mc Allister, Liam Mc Cann (0-01), Conal Cunning (1-02)
Subs
Daniel Mc Garry for K Mc Allister
Referee Gerard Dougan (Kickham’s)