ACFL Div.2
Sarsfields 1-9 Moneyglass 1-16
2020 Intermediate champions Moneyglass made a winning start to the 2021 league campaign, but not before being given a scare by a dogged Sarsfields outfit at their Lenadoon base.
The visitors were soon in to their stride and opened their account in the first minute with a free from talisman Colum Duffin. The same player was to repeat the feat from play two minutes later, after a well worked short free from Conor Boyd.
The youthful home side levelled proceedings with a brace of scores, the first from big midfielder Cormac Murray, the second a lovely score from half forward Caolan McKernan.
Moneyglass then hit a purple patch with the Duffin brothers leading the way. First Fearghal, then Seanchan, then Colum with 2 frees gave the away side the lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. The first free was after an indiscretion on Sean Kelly, the second after good work from Conor Boyd and Paddy McCormick.
After the water break the “Paddies” rallied, with a free from Joe McNally followed by a good score from corner forward Liam Mitchell, after Ryan Carson had set him up.
Another Duffin brother, Tiernan, was involved in Moneyglass’s next score, his interception paving the way for elder brother Fearghal to score. The away side went on to finish the half strongly, Ryan Doyle and Jack McCoy adding scores after good work from Jervis Weir and Seanchan Duffin. Ciaran Kelly then marked his return to action after a number of years with a score. A free from Conor Boyd finished the first half scoring, with St Ergnats leading 0-11 to 0-4 at the short whistle.
The second half was a bit of a stop-start affair, and it took 10 minutes for the first score. Corner-back Jack Daniels showed the forwards how it’s done to keep Sarsfields in touch. Veteran full forward Ryan Doyle replied in kind, and when Tyler Cassidy marked his debut with a lovely score, the game looked dead and buried.
However, no team has ever came out of the “Bear Pit” without a battle, and the home side refused to lie down. Halfback Conor Laverty broke up the field, and his finish left Moneyglass netminder Gary Murray with no chance.
The home side had their tails up at this stage followed up with scores from Tomas Skillen and impressive midfielder Cormac Murray. For a brief moment, an upset looked like it might be on the cards.
The visitors settled with a free from Seanchan Duffin, after the fleet-footed Paddy McCormick had been upended. Midfielder Murray replied again for Sarsfields, before Conor O’Kane showed experience beyond his years, calling the “mark” before slotting over.
Tomas Skillen hit what was to be Sarsfields last score, before Seanchan Duffin replied for the winners. The same player expertly dispatched a penalty to put the icing on the cake for Moneyglass, awarded after Ryan Doyle had been hauled down.
The scoreboard was perhaps slightly harsh on the hosts, who had played their part in an entertaining game in perfect conditions. Both sides introduced several young players, and will improve as the season goes on.
Moneyglass – Gary Murray, Peter McCormick, Tiernan Duffin, Jervis Weir, Kevin McPeake, Conor Boyd(0-1free), Fearghal Duffin(0-2), Ciaran Kelly(0-1), Colum Duffin(0-4, 3 frees), Sean Kelly, Seanchan Duffin(1-3, 1-0 pen ,2 frees) Paddy McCormick, Niall Boyd, Ryan Doyle(0-2), Jack McCoy(0-1) Subs used – Tyler Cassidy(0-1), Diarmuid Scullin, Conor O’Kane(0-1), Luke O’Donnell
Sarsfields – Michael Brady, Jack Daniels(0-1), Ethan Mervyn, Declan Laverty, Donal McKernan, Daniel McKernan, Conor Laverty(1-0), Cormac Murray(0-1), Ryan Carson, Caolan McKernan(0-3), Gary Lennon, Daragh Gorman, Tomas Skillen(0-2frees), Joe McNally(0-1), Liam Mitchell(0-1) Subs used – Rian McShane, Eamon Quinn, Sam Walsh, Ruairi Devlin
