Tír na nÓg 3.11 (20)
Glenariffe 1.12 (15)
Going into this league clash on Sunday afternoon at Whitehill, Glenariffe were sitting fourth in the league with three wins from their four starts. Tír na nÓg on the other hand have struggled in the early stages of the league with only one win so all was to play for between these two teams to gain two points in this league meeting.
Despite heading into half time 4 points ahead, Tír na nÓg were forced to earn their win in the second half as Glenariffe came back at them and drew level after 10 minutes befre going two points ahead. Goal scorers McAllister and Sheerin edged the win for the home side after a hotly contested battle.
Alex O’Boyle got the first score of the game from a free before Sean Duffin drew his side level after a huge strike from out on the side line. The sides went tit for tat for the next few scores through Pearse Sheerin, Aaron Cosgrove , Seamus McDonnell and Aaron McNeilly to leave the score 0- 3 each after 10 minutes. With all their possession Tír na nÓg failed to capitalise by putting scores on the board with the Glenariffe’s sweeper working very effectively. Tír na nÓg defence held strong throughout the half with Ronan O’Neill and Tony Martin driving out of defence and playing accurate balls to the forwards. Further points from Ciaran McKeown and Sean Duffin set up by brother Colm took the home side’s lead to 2 points. O’Boyle hit 2 frees back to back before Kevin Sheerin sent the sliotar to the back of the net to regain the lead for the Whitehill side. Aaron McNeilly struck his second point to leave the margin at 4 points at the short whistle.
As the second half begun Tír na nÓg once again struggled to get the scores on the board, shooting 3 wides and not scoring until 14 minutes into the second half. They relied on keeper Kevin Kerr to savethem on more than two occasions. Glenariffe took advantage of this and hit a goal through full forward Paul McDonnell who made the most of a spilled ball. Oisin’s hit 2 more points in this space of time from Seamus McDonnell and Mickey Gettens.
Tír na nÓg brought on Eamon Og McAllister who made an immediate impact to the attack after he was brought down on the 13m line driving in on goal. Sheerin opted to go short to Sean Duffin who ably converted. Glenariffe put another two points on the boardfollowing massive poc outsby keeper McToal to retake the lead before Sheerin brought the margin back to the minimum. The home side had to thank keeper Kerr, who came off his line to narrow Seamus McDonnell’s angle on goal and pull off a great save as the visitors threatened again.
At the other end McAllister was pulled down with the home side appealing for a penalty but somehow he got the strike away and scrambled the ball to the back of the net with 10 minutes remaining. From the poc out Kevin Sheerin was fouled near the sideline, 45 meters from goal and converted his free. Sean Duffin then put a side line cut into space for McNeilly to run onto and point as the home side gained momentum. Wing half back Daniel Haughey stepped up to the plate and pulled a point back for the Oisin’s before full back Randel McDonnell hit a major point from within his own half.
With the game in the balance and normal time up and two points the difference, Kevin Sheerin popped the ball out to brother Pearse who spilt the posts for his second point. Pearse Sheerin then delivered a ball to Sean Duffin who took on his man before drawing a second defender and he passed to Kevin Sheerin who made no mistake as he rattled the net for his second goal of the game. With 4 minutes remaining Tír na nÓg’s defence was once again called upon. Caoimhin Duffin made a dive to send the ball out for a 65 which Randal McDonnell pointed and as the visitors threatened Kevin Kerr made another important save.
Tír na nÓg take thepoints with a 5 point victory heading into another home fixture against Sarsfields on Wednesday night whilst Glenariffe head to High Town to face St. Enda’s.
Tír na nÓg
1. K. Kerr 2. B. Kerr 3. R. O’Neill 4. T. Martin 5. Ronan O’Neill 6. Colm Duffin 7. C. Fitzgerald 8. C. Duffin 9. C. McKeown 10. P. Sheerin 11. K. Sheerin 12. C. Logan 13. M. Duffin 14. S. Duffin 15. A. McNeilly 17. N. Shannon 18. S. Carey 19. E. Og McAllister 20. M. Higgins 21. C. O’Neill
Subs used: E. Og McAllister for C. Logan (41mins)
Scorers: S. Duffin (0.3), P. Sheerin (0.2), A. McNeilly (0.3), C. Mckeown (0.1), K. Sheerin (2.2- 1 free), E. Og McAllister (1.0)
Glenariffe
1. S. McToal 2. N. Murray 3. R. McDonnell 4. M. Haughey 5. D. Haughey 6. S. O’Connor 7. P. McMullan 8. T. Quinn 9. C. Leech 10. S. McDonnell 11. M. Gettens 12. C. Patterson 13. A. Cosgrove 14. P. McDonnell 15. A. O’Boyle
Scorers: A. O’Boyle (0.5- 4 frees), A. Cosgrove (0.1), M. Gettens (0.1), D. Haughey (0.1), S. McDonnell (0.2), P. McDonnell (1.0), R. McDonnell (0.2)
Referee: Kevin Parke (St. Enda’s)
