ACFL Division 3
St Comgall’s Antrim 0-17 Kickham’s Ardoyne 1-04
St Comgall’s moved joint top of the Division Three League table in stylish fashion when they produced an impressive performance to gain victory over the previously unbeaten Kickham’s Ardoyne at Dunsilly on Wednesday evening.
The North Belfast side had arrived to the South west top of the heap with a clean slate and an unbeaten record to date but the home side, quick into stride signalled positive intention right from the outset and early scores ensured they had earned a six point lead by the end of the opening period, 0-09 to 0-03.
Patrick O’ Connor got them on the road with a 2nd minute point and with Ruairi Graffin following suit before Miles Devine got in on the act by the end of the 5th minute the Dunsilly residents were on their way.
Ardoyne missed a couple of chances and it was only after the home side’s centre forward Patrick O’Connor and James Mc Cabe added further scores for the home side that they fiunally got off the mark.
Liam Og McAuley came in front of his marker to receive from Kevin Mc Laughlin and send between the posts and when Cormac Mullan added another from a 30 metre free a couple of minutes later the North Belfast men looked in business.
St Comgall’s responded and an 18th minute point by the impressive Ruairi Graffin after Ryan Mc Auley and Oisin Crilly paved the way, got them going again.
Graffin was on hand to claim the resultant kick out and forward post haste between the posts again and when a strong advance by Dylan Murdock saw his shot denied by the woodwork Graffin collected the loose ball and raised another white.
The Antrim men were back in control and on top in most departments and a Miles Devine point increased thei advantage. Ardoyne were to have the last say on the board via a 28th minute Conor Magee point but the home side were good value for their 0-09 to 0-06 interval advantage.
It was back to business for the Antrim men as the second period got under way as Miles Devine sent Conor Mc Auley away to split the posts and when the corner man was blocked in search of the target with a goal in mind James McCabe gained compensation when he despatched the resultant ‘45’ between the posts.
Ardoyne replied in kind a couple of minutes later as centre forward Kevin McLaughlin grabbed an impressive long range point to offer hope of revival but the home responded again with an excellent Tom Pratchett point.
Ruairi Graffin followed with another in the41st minute and Tom Pratchett added another to make it 0-15 to 0-04 and the die looked well and truly cast at the end of the third quarter.
Ardoyne, having been on the back foot for much of the game really needed to find a way back as the clock ticked down and a super delivery by Ger Og McFarlane found the advancing Conor Magee on the right hand side and the latter nipped away to deliver low and hard into the left corner of the net.
That was as good as it got for the visitors however however as the 47th minute strike proved their last score as the Antrim men finished with a flurry. Patrick O’ Connor added an eye catching 54th minute point, Miles Devine followed with another and Tom Pratchett completed the scoring to see St. Comgall’s home 0-17 to 1-04 victory move to the top of the table.
Referee Jarlath O’ Donnell (Con Magees)
Teams
St Comgall’s
Ben Johnston, Dannan O’ Hara, Callum Mc Cabe, Aaron Mc Gaw, Rory Mc Larnon, Ryan Mc Auley, Dylan Murdock, Louis Higgins, Oisin Crilly, Miles Devine (0-03), Padraig O’ Connor (0-03), Ruairi Graffin (0-05), Conor Mc Auley (0-01), James Mc Cabe (0-02), Tom Pratchett (0-03)
Subs
Peter Mc Auley for C Mc Auley
Ardoyne
Patrick Mc Cullough, Pearse Marley, Ger og Mc Farlane, Sean J Rooney, Conor Magee (1-01), Conor Carter, Conor Lynch, Kevin Lynch, Declan Mc Cormick, Cormac Mullan (0-01), Kevin Mc Laughlin (0-01), Padraig Lynch, Liam og Mc Auley (0-01), Conor Mc Dowell