O’Neill’s ACHL Division 2
St. Brigid’s 4-19 St. Enda’s 1-15
St. Brigid’s Cloughmills turned in a great performance to keep themselves in the promotion race as they overcame the challenge of promotion rivals, St. Enda’s in Cloughmills on Wednesday night. The ‘Biddies’ were never headed as they took early control of matters and were very much in the driving seat at the turn of ends when they led by 3-9 to 0-10.
The visitors did manage a goal of their own in the second half through their best forward, John McGoldrick but by that stage the Cloughmills side were heading out of sight and they struck with a fourth of their own through Declan Smyth to ensure there would be no way back for the visitors.
Michael Devlin got the ‘Village’ on its way with two early points and Liam Kearns added another from a close range free to leave St. Brigid’s leading 0-3 to 0-0 after five minutes play. The home side were simply flying and further points from Geoffery Og Laverty and a pointed ‘65’ by the stylish Mickey Devlin saw them move five clear with only five minutes gone.
John McGoldrick finally got the Hightown side off the mark when he pointed an 11th minute free and further points from Cormac Ross and Killian Jennings had the gap cut to two by the 16th minute and suggested that a St. Enda’s comeback was under way.
The home side had other ideas however as they continued to play with great intensity with Steven Smyth replying before Liam Kearns fielded superbly and turned at speed to outpace his marker and fire past Daire Darragh for the game’s opening goal in the 16th minute.
Points from Daniel Lowry and John McGoldrick kept the visitors in touch but by this stage the Glengormley men had hit half a dozen wides as they were closed down quickly and crowded out every time they gained possession.
Ruairi Laverty for Cloughmills and Ruairi Diamond for St. Enda’s exchanged points before Declan Smyth struck for the home side’s second goal in the 24th minute and when Daire Darragh lost the flight of a long delivery which ended in the net the Hightown men looked in serious trouble.
They responded with points from Killian Jennings and Ruairi Diamond but St. Brigid’s replied through Michael Devlin to keep the gap at 10. The final two scores of the half went the way of St. Enda’s as they fought tooth and nail to break the shackles of a tight home defence with John McGoldrick from a ‘65’ and Ruairi Donaghy the marksmen.
If St. Enda’s were to get anything from this game it was imperative that they get off to a good start to the second half but in the event it was St. Brigid’s who continued to call the shots. Liam Kearns, Ruairi Laverty and the excellent Declan Smyth all pointed in the opening five minutes before John McGoldrick got through for a 7th minute goal for the Glengormley side to give them a glimmer of hope.
Michael Devlin for Cloughmills and the equally impressive McGoldrick for St. Enda’s exchanged points as the visitors rang the changes in an effort to breathe new life into their fading chances but with little success.
It was St. Brigid’s who continued to dominate as they won the personal battles all over the field with Liam Kearns pointing and then Declan Smyth got in for their fourth goal to more or less end the game as a contest.
There was still 15 minutes remaining but it was the home side never let up as Michael Devlin fired over a sublime long range point and substitute Joseph Smyth added another as they continued to take the game to the opposition.
John McGoldrick, who had battled throughout to get his side going, replied from a 26th minute free and Jack Arthurs added two more but these scores only served to put a slightly better look on the scoreline.
Both sides emptied their benches as Cloughmills finished with three unanswered points with the best of these coming from Liam Kearns to conclude a thoroughly efficient performance that keeps their promotion hopes alive.
They were rock solid in defence where keeper Chris McKiernan gave another assured performance and Sean McKendry, James Doherty and Michael Morrison excelled in no nonsense defensive unit. Michael Devlin struck a number of impressive scores from mid-field while Declan Smyth, Liam Kearns and Ruairi Laverty were simply unplayable in a sharp attack.
St. Brigid’s : Chris McKiernan, Steven Martin, John B McGuckian, Sean McKendry, James Doherty, Michael Morrison, Gary McCollum, Michael Devlin, Sean Og McErlain, Aaron Smylie, Martin Dobbin, Steven Smyth, Geoffery Og Laverty, Liam Kearns, Ruairi Laverty. Subs: Joseph Smyth, Timmothy McNeill, Michael Reid,
St. Enda’s : Daire Darragh, Edward O’Connor, Matthew O’Hare, Michael McNicholl, Donal O’Hara, Manus Mullan, Ruairi Diamond, Cormac Jennings, Cormac Ross, John McGoldrick, Ruairi Donaghy, Oliver Breen, Brendan Cormican, Phillip Curran, Cillian Jennings. Subs: Ruairi Diamond, Joe Maskey, Jack Arthurs, Diarmuid Maguire,
Referee: Francis Traynor (Loughgiel)