ACFL Division 2
Davitt’s 1-14 Rasharkin 1-6
St. Mary’s Rasharkin travelled to Belfast last night in need of some much needed points in their fight against relegation to division 3. The visitors started brightly and a long range point from Eamon McNeill should have settled them but Davitt’s replied through Sean Og O’Neill to level the scores.
It was Davitt’s, in need of points themselves, who settled after this score but the visitors were having a bit of success at this stage and midway through the opening half the sides were tied on three points apiece.
Both sides were wasteful in their finishing as they racked up 8 wides between them but a long range delivery from Eamon McNeill fell to Conor McFerran whose shot on goal was blocked by a Davitt’s foot with the award of a penalty.
Up stepped McFerran to fire past Aaron Slane and give the visitors a three point lead and at this point the balance looked to be swinging in favour of the Dreen men but Davitt’s responded with pointed frees from goal keeper Slane and a close range free by Padraig McPartland after Dominic McFerran tripped the Davitt’s forward.
McFerran was shown a black card for his misdemeanour, a blow for the St Mary’s men with ten minutes remaining to the break.
Davitt’s kept the pressure on and another 2 good points from play by Niall Hughes ensured the South Antrim side went into the break leading by a point, 0-7 to 1-3. The visitors will rue the number of wides they struck in the opening half but both sides were guilty of poor shooting with Rasharkin hitting eight wides to Davitt’s seven.
Davitt’s made a bright start to the second half extending their lead with 3 early points from Padraig McPartland and two from Sean Lindberg.
Rasharkin tried to respond putting pressure on the Davitt’s defence and looked to be getting the upper hand in the contest but couldn’t convert their possession into scores despite creating a number of scoreable chances.
Davitt’s weathered the storm and regained control and after several point were exchanges started to keep possession while adding a number of good scores to move further ahead. As they pressed forward they looked to be in for a goal but Ryan Doherty in the visitor’s goal brought off a good save.
Davitt’s were now getting on top and creating plenty of chances, breaking from midfield and half forward and putting the Rasharkin defence under constant pressure.
Eventually that resolve broke and the home side all but secured victory with a good move and run from midfielder which ended with Anthony Rowntree finding the back of the net.
The visitors went looking for the goal that might get them back in the game but Davitt’s kept possession while some poor decision resulted in the visitors giving the ball away cheaply and they could only manage three points in the second half, all coming in the first 15 minutes while adding a further seven wides.
The home side racked up eight second half wides themselves but converted enough of their chances to secure two valuable points in what was a great game of attacking football.
This defeat leave Rasharkin 5 points adrift of Davitt’s and Glenavy who they play next in a must win match.
Rasharkin; Ryan Doherty,Dominic McFerran, Emmett McFerran, Colm Kennedy
Pearse Kelly, Conor Hasson, Donagh Quigg, Thomas McMullan, Jack Quinn, Shane Hasson (0-02), Thomas Doherty (0-01), Andrew Hasson, Conor McFerran (1-00), Brendan Etherson, Eamon McNeill (0-03)
Subs – Fergus Quigg for Dominic McFerran (Black card)
Brian Og O’Neill for Brendan Etherson
Killian O’Boyle for Colm Kennedy
Davitts: Aaron Slane (0-01), Michael Og Rowntree, Jason Park, Nathan Maginn,
Conor Toner, Declan Smyth, Niall Hughes (0-02), Anthony Rowntree (1-00), Sean Og O’Neill (0-02)
James Lindsey, Padraig McPartland (0-04), Niall McPartland (0-01), Stephen Og Toner, Caomham Slane, Sean Lindberg (0-02)
Subs – 21 (0-02) for Stephen Og Toner
22 for Caomham Slane
18 for James Lindsey
19 for Niall McPartland
Referee – Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg)