ACHL Division 2B
Cloney Gaels 2-14 Oisin’s Glenariffe 2-17
Oisin’s Glenariffe retained top spot in Division 2B when they overcame the challenge of Cloney Gaels in a keenly contested game in Ahoghill tonight.
Nothing had separated these two well matched sides for most of the contest but a PJ O’ Connell penalty strike which yielded a goal ensured the Cloney men had nipped a couple of points clear at the start of the last quarter.
Glenariffe responded however with an Alex O’ Boyle goal at the other end a few minutes later and such was to provide the impetus to see the Oisin’s finish the better and cross the finish line 2-17 to 2-14 to the good.
The home side were first off the mark and after PJ O’ Connell had opened account with a 2nd minute point Pearse Downey quickly followed with a goal.
The full forward finished well following an impressive approach which involved Tom Mc Glone, Patrick Graham and the Gael’s looked on their way.
The visitors were soon to make reply as a smart clearance from corner man Michael Haughey was forwarded to full forward Paul Mc Donnell and the Oisin’s full-forward finished confidently to the net from close range and the visitors were off the mark.
Despite a promising start by both sides the next phase was to see good approaches made at either end being wasted by poor finishing with the home side slightly better in sighting the target.
Danny O’ Neill who has pace at plenty at his disposal nipped away on the left to raise a fine white flag and when Patrick Graham rose highest to fetch a Tom Mc Glone delivery he added another to see the home side at 1-03 to 1-00 ahead at the end of the opening quarter.
The Oisin’s were back on terms by the 20th minute after smart clearances from Full back Randall Mc Donnell opened the door for Conor Mc Allister and Paul Mc Donnell to raise back to back whites and as the opening period progressed little was to separate the sides.
Points secured by PJ O’ Connell and Danny O’ Neill found reply in kind from Alex O’ Boyle and Paul Mc Donnell and as the end of the opening period approached an Alex Mc Donnell point looked likely to ensure a slender half time advantage for the visitors.
The home side finished the stronger however and it took a superb save from the Glenariffe net minder Seannan Mc Toal to keep a Donal Graham delivery out with PJ O’ Connell gaining consolation when he despatched the resultant ‘65’ over the bar to see the sides taking the break at 1-08 apiece.
The Glenariffe net minder was quick into action at the start of the second half as he made a smart save to deny Danny O’ Neill with PJ O’ Connell sending the resultant ‘65’ between the posts.
It was end to end stuff with both sides exchanging scores as the second half progressed and as the end of the third quarter approached a Paul Burns point saw the visitors nip a point ahead but such was not to last.
A foul on Patrick Graham inside the square saw a penalty award and when the ever accurate PJ O’ Connell fired the sliotar to the net the Gael’s had gone a couple clear at 2-10 to 1-11.
The home side seemed to be gaining the initiative as the last quarter progressed with the Gael’s rear guard standing firm and a couple of back to back points from PJ O’ Connell extended their advantage.
The Oisin’s stuck to the task however and a well laid approach and a subtle Thomas Quinn delivery opened the door for Alex O’ Boyle to grab a 52nd minute goal to secure a 2-14 to 2-12 advantage which they were not to relinquish.
A fine Caolan O’ Conner point increased advantage for the visitors and although the home side battled to the end the Oisin’s defence stood firm.
A PJ O’ Connell point found reply in kind from Paul Mc Donnell and similarly when the hard grafting Danny O’ Neill added another it was the Oisin’s full forward who replied to keep the gap at three.
Cloney Gaels gave it everything in the closing stages but it was the visitors defence who stood tall as Glenariffe completed the double over the home side to remain top of division 2B.
Clooney Gaels: Aodhan Graham, Stephen O’ Connell, Bernard Graham, Diarmuid Graham, James Magee, Neil O’ Connell, Eamon Brady, Donal Graham, Fionnbar O’ Neill (0-01), Tom Mc Glone, Patrick Graham (0-02), PJ O’ Connell (1-08), Danny O’ Neill (0-03), Pearse Downey (1-00), James Mc Meill
Subs
Martin Graham for J Mc Meill
Sean O’ Connell for P Downey
Glenariffe: Seannan Mc Tohill, Michael Haughey, Randall Mc Donnell, Ciaran Mc Kendry, Shane O’ Connor, Michael Gettens, Niall Murray, Caolan O’ Connor (0-01), Ciaran Cosgrove, Paddy Burns (0-01), Conor Mc Allister (0-02), Thomas Quinn (0-02), Alex Mc Donnell (0-01), Paul Mc Donnell (1-07), Alex O’ Boyle (1-03)
Danny Mc Killop for A Mc Donnell
Alexander Mc Mullan for P Burns
Referee Danny O’ Neill (Gort na Mona)
