U21 Football Championship
Moneyglass 1-12 Portglenone 0-13
Photographs: Elaine Kelly
St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass edged Casement’s Portglenone in a keenly contested U21 opening round game at Marrion Hill on Sunday. It was nip and tuck most of the way but a Ben Hamill goal in the 18th minute of the second half proved the turning point in the game.
These two excellent sides went at it right from the start and Jack McCoy and Shay Madden combined to set up Peter McCormick who sent over in the 7th minute to put the home side one ahead. Oisin Doherty replied immediately for the Casements but Conor O’Kane restored the Ergnat’s lead after being set up by Eamon Kelly.
Dermot McErlain increased the Moneyglass lead from a free after Oisin Doherty was ajudged to have touched the ball on the ground and Conor McCann moved the home side three in front at the end of the opening quarter.
Moneyglass went further ahead the 18th minute when a good move involving the Kelly brothers Sean and Eamon set up Paddy McCormick who sent over the bar but Portglenone finally raised their secon flag when Michael Hagan pointed a free.
Back came Moneyglass and Bugsy McErlain converted another free and Kieran McCoy added another from play as St. Ergnat’s continued to dominate the opening half. Dedrmot Scullion increased the home lead before Oisin Doherty replied with his side’s third point.
The Casement’s had been on the back foot but they struck again when Ciaran Lynch placed the impressive Oisin Doherty and the same player converted a late free to bring his side right back into contention at the break.
After the break Portglenone continued to enjoy a period of ascendancy and Oisin Doherty sent over inn the 6th minute before Tyler Cassidy replied with a similar score for the Moneyglass lads. Jack McCoy followed with another but Portglenone were beginning to dictate the play.
They hit the next four points of the game with the impressive Doherty getting two of them and Conor Magee also on target and all the momentum was with the visitors at this stage of the game.
The home side needed a response and it duly arrived when Eamon Kelly won possession in midfield before placing Ben Hamill who fired to the net for a much needed goal. It was still anybody’s game as Ronan Kelly for Portglenone and Conor O’Kane for the home side exchanged points and there was just two between the sides.
Dermot McErlain extended the Moneyglass lead to three from a 13 meter free with just three minutes remaining and Jack McCoy wasted a good opportunity to make matters safe before Michael Hagan relied with a consolation point for the visitors.
A good game of football involving two well matched sides and both will have aspirations of being in the shake up when the championship reaches its conclusion but on this occasion Hamill’s goal proved to be the difference and leaves St. Ergnat’s in pole position going into round two.
Footnote: Anyone with a report on an U21 game played yesterday but not covered please send it to me At ptrckmclwn@yahoo.co.uk
