When these two sides met over a week ago in the Senior Feis Cup semi-final and it required a last minute point from Caitlin Crawford at the death to win it for Dunloy and last night was a similar outcome, albeit without the last minute drama.

In yet another beautiful evening both sides served up a tough physical game but again it was Dunloy’s ability to get the scores that ended up getting them over the line.

The first half was very much a one-sided encounter with Dunloy controlling all over the pitch to go 0-07 to no score up. Points from Erin Elliott (2), Nicole O’Neill (2), Lauren Elliott, Aileen McManus & Dearbhaill Elliott put the away side in control before Portglenone responded with a free by County Captain Katie McAleese.

With ten mins to go in the first half the home side dropped a sweeper back and it seemed to close out the space up front they were conceding as they managed to get back into the game. A six point lead for Dunloy was soon reduced to four as Portglenone worked their way back into the game.

Erin Elliott fired over a fine score before Dearbhaill Elliott’s drive rattled off Patricia McCarry’s crossbar and back out again. The resultant clearance by Catriona McNichol was fired over the bar to give Portglenone their fourth point.

The half-time score by Dunloy left it 0-04 to 0-09 to the away side.

Portglenone picked up where they left off by looking the hungrier team as they clawed back to hit the first 3 scores in a row. Katie McAleese was having a great game in the midfield battle and it was her work rate that got her team into a deserved lead.

She picked the ball up and ran 40 yards before driving it high past Aimee Scott in nets to give Portglenone a 1-point lead. A further point by Jane Carey increased the lead to 2 points as the game reached the 20 min mark.

Dunloy needed a score and it was Nicole O’Neill who fired over a free to reduce the arrears before the hammer blow came to the home side. Chloe Drain worked herself into the box to hammer the ball home for the away side and give them a 2-point lead, one which they wouldn’t lose.

Portglenone again replied to set a tense finish to the game. Indeed, they could have won it but for an outstanding save by Aimee Scott to deny a certain goal after Katie McAleese again got through.

The resultant 45 was scored but Portglenone couldn’t get the score to level the game as Dunloy held out for a 1-point lead.

Portglenone had the chances to win the game but giving a team a 7-point head start made it a chasing game and they ran out of steam towards the end.

Dunloy started well and raced into a strong lead only to lose control of the game. The result means they have still only lost once this season as the teams move towards the business end of the year.

Dunloy – A Scott, K Mullan, E Kearns, L Reid, K Boyle, C McGuckian, S Conlon, S Martin, C Crawford, A McManus, M Martin, N O’Neill, D Elliott, L Elliott, E Elliott