ACFL Division One (B)
St Mary’s Ahoghill 0-15 St Brigid’s 1-12
A trio of points in the dying embers of this crucial Division One encounter by the ever accurate Donal Graham saw St Mary’s Ahoghill come from well off the pace to grab a share of the spoils, and what may prove a most valuable point when they finished on terms with the visiting St Brigid’s.
Nothing separated the sides in the opening period but after the Cloney men had dominated the early exchanges to lead 0-05 to 0-01 by the end of the 10th minute, an 18th minute goal from the ill-fated Ronan McGrady ensured the visitors were just a point in arrears at the interval with the breeze to provide assistance in the second period.
An early Peter Lundy point saw the South Belfast men off in front but Neil O’ Connell provided prompt reply at the other end and when Tom McGlone, Donal Graham (2), and Eamon Brady followed the big man’s lead the St Mary’s men looked in charge at 0-05 to 0-01.
Despite a smart exit from the start traps the home side lost their way somewhat for a time as the visitors took control in the central zone and very much in charge of the ‘broken ball’.
The home side were proving erratic in attack but strong in the defensive until a poor delivery opened the door to the target for the incoming Ronan McGrady and the center forward’s low drive was delivered to the corner of the net to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum, 0-05 to 1-01.
McGrady incurred a facial injury in the process and he was forced out of the game as a consequence to be replaced by Mark Quinn.
The latter stages of the opening half proceeded tit for tat as a fine Sean Mahon point provoked reply from Jack Dowling and similarly when Diarmuid Graham raised a 28th minute white the resultant kick out saw Michael Cummings and Ethan Carleton combine to send Paul Mc Cumiskey scampering away to make similar response.
A super Tom Mc Glone long range point looked like giving the home side an interval advantage of a couple of points but as injury time proceeded an indiscretion on Jack Dowling, 30 meters from the posts was firmly punished as Paul Mc Cumiskey directed the right sided effort between the posts to see the home side at 0-08 to 1-04 at the break.
St Brigid’s started the second half with positive intent and with the firm Southerly breeze in their favour they had opened up a three point gap by the 40th minute.
The visitors were dominant in the central zone, gaining most of the loose ball in that area and after both mid-fielders, Michael Cummings and Cathal Conway raised white flags a similar effort from Jack Dowling and the strong running Paul Mc Cumiskey saw them move into a 1-08 to 0-08 advantage and they looked in charge.
Donal Graham pulled one back for the home side after a slick Stephen O’ Connell intervention and a strong clearance opened the way but the visitors were prompt in reply as Patrick Finnegan fired over a fine 43rd minute point.
Tom McGlone grabbed another fine point to reduce the deficit to a couple of points but the St Brigid’s lads were calling most of the shots and back to back points from the impressive Paul McCumiskey and corner forward Ethan Carleton put them in a strong position.
St Brigid’s had nipped away to lead 1-11 to 0-10 as the game entered the last ten minutes and they looked secure.
St. Mary’s finished strongly however and a Donal Graham point which followed a foul on replacement Eoin Graham and another from centre back Fionbarr O’ Neill suggested the home side were on the comeback trail.
However It took a smashing save from net-minder Frankie Neeson who stood tall to deny Paul Mc Cumiskey after a cute Rory Brolly flick opened the way to the target.
The wing half forward did add a point from a placed effort a few minutes later and the 57th minute score ensured a three point advantage and the points looked destined for South Belfast.
St. Mary’s looked down but once again Dualtagh Johnston’s men were not about to be counted out as they staged another character laden finish.
A foul on the incoming Eamon Brady was punished when Donal Graham despatched the left sided award between the posts and when the advancing Eoin Graham sent him away on the same side the ever accurate corner man added another and only a point separated them.
As the clock ticked down with St. Brigid’s hanging on they were penalized for an over carrying offence in the 33rd minute and despite the acute angle and the pressure of the kick Donal Graham was not to be found wanting as he drilled the leather firmly between the posts to see his side conclude on terms at 0-15 to 1-12.
Ahoghill: Frankie Neeson, Bernard Graham, Stephen O’ Connell, Gerard Graham, Eamon Brady (0-01), Fionbarr O’ Neill (0-01), Sean Mahon (0-01), Martin Graham, Tom Mc Glone (0-03), Diarmuid Graham (0-01), PJ O’ Connell, Bobby Magee, Patrick Graham, Neil O’ Connell (0-01), Donal Graham (0-07)
Subs:
Eoin Graham for Diarmuid Graham
St Brigid’s: Stephen Magennis, Daire Mc Garvey, Niall Mc Donald, Finn Mc Kernan, Patrick Finnegan (0-01), Michael Cummings (0-01), Cathal Conway (0-01), Paul Mc Cumiskey (0-04), Ronan Mc Grady (1-00), Peter Lundy (0-01), Ethan Carleton (0-01), Jack Dowling (0-02), Rory Brolly
Subs:
Mark Quinn for R McGrady
Referee Sean Laverty (St Ergnat’s)