ACHL Division 3
Shane O’Neill’s 1-13 St. Mary’s Rasharkin 0-17
James Scally and Conor McFerran combined to earn visitors Rasharkin much needed points and see them climb above Shane O’Neill’s in this free scoring shootout at Feystown today. The home side, inspired by Darren Hamill, looked well placed when they led 0-10 to 0-6 at the break but Scally struck a series of frees for the visitors after the break to reel in that lead.
Rasharkin dominated most of the second half and were five in front with two minutes of normal time remaining but Kieran O’Boyle got the final touch to a Dan O’Boyle shot from an acute angle to finish to the Rasharkin net in the 30th minute and Darren Hamill pointed a late free to reduce the gap to the minimum but it was St. Mary’s who held on for the win.
Shane O’Neill’s dictated the play during the opening quarter and after Sean O’Hare and Conor McFerran exchanged early points it was the Darren Hamill inspired Shane O’Neill’s who began to call the shots.
Hamill sent over three excellent score by the 12th minute and points from Daniel Black and Sean O’Hare had the home side leading by five before Conor McFerran replied with a couple of fine individual point for the men from Dreen to leave three in it at the end of the opening quarter.
Hamill was causing the visitors defence plenty of problems as he edged the Feystown side four in front again before Rasharkin manager Paul McKillen switched James Scally onto the Glenarm number 11 and it helped to curtail his influence.
Tiernan O’Boyle replied with a St. Mary’s point and then Patrick Abram in the Glenarm goals pulled off a smart save to deny the dangerous Conor McFerran as Rasharkin began to enjoy a bit of success. Scally sent a massive free between the uprights to leave just two in it after 21 minutes and Shane O’Neill’s were in need of a response.
Sean O’Hare di respond from a pointed free in the 23d minute but another pointed free from distance by Scally kept the gap at two as Glenarm introduced Kieran O’Boyle for Daryl McMullan. The Feystown side finished the half strongly and two well struck frees from Daniel Black saw them lead by four at the break.
The home side would probably have been happy with that lead but it was Rasharkin who opened the second half strongly with James Scally continuing to show unerring accuracy from frees as he punished indiscretions by the Shane O’Neill’s defence.
Scally converted three frees and another from play by the same player had the side’s level with ten minutes of the new half gone and the momentum was now with Paul McKillen’s side as Glenarm struggled to find their first half rhythm.
Darren Hamill, who had been well shackled by James Scally got the Feystown men going again as he briefly pointed them ahead again in the 11th minute but Conor McFerran levelled matters once more before James Scally pointed them ahead again from another free.
Scally was on fire as he sent another free between the uprights and Shane Hasson extended the visitors lead to three with a point in the 14th minute. Glenarm were still battling hard but the fluency they had shown in the opening half was missing.
They introduced Dan O’Boyle for Sean Pettigrew in an effort to change things but it was Rasharkin who continued to look more threatening with Conor McFerran causing problems every time he received the ball.
McFerran struck points in the 23d and 26th minutes to put five between the sides but Sean O’Hare responded with a point for the home side to keep their fading hopes alive. Scally replied from another free before Kieran O’Boyle finished to the Rasharkin net and Darren Hamill pointed in injury time but these scores came too late to deny the visitors.
Shane O’Neill’s: Patrick Abram, James Black, Barry Hamill, Paul Magill, Ben O’Boyle, Jake Hamilton, Liam Mulvenna, Conal Ward, Daniel Black, Ryan McLaughlin, Darren Hamill, Sean O’Hare, Kevin O’Boyle, Mark Petticrew, Darryl McMullan, Subs: Kieran O’Boyle.
St. Mary’s Rasharkin: Brendan Kelly, Connor Donaghy, Aidan McKeever, Liam Tunney, Conor Hasson, Donagh Quigg, Brian Og O’Neill, Declan McKay, James Scally, Eoghan Kennedy, Emmet McFerran, Tiernan O’Boyle, Daniel Hasson, Shane Hasson, Conor McFerran. Subs:
Referee: Rab Lappin
James Scally who scored 0-9 for Rasharkin in Feystown today