ACFL Division 1
Ahoghill 1.14 Gort Na Mona 1.07
St. Mary’s Ahoghill gained their 2nd league win of the season after a good performance against Gort Na Mona in Belfast last night. The visitors to Enright Park we’re sharpest in the opening quarter and moved into a comfortable lead at the first water break when they led 5 points to 1.
James O’Connell and Dan O’Neill were the men who led the early charge with some good points from play as Gort Na Mona struggled with their only score coming from Dermot McVeigh. After the break Ahoghill kept pushing forward and points from James O’Connell and Bernard Graham stretched their lead before Niall Melaney replied with a great point for Gort Na Mona.
The Ahoghill side were playing with a lot of confidence and Donal Graham put them in a strong position when he intercepted a short kick out and lobbed the keeper as he struggled to get back to his goal line. Further points from James and PJ O’Connell and a great finish by young Conor Crossey completed the first half scoring with Ahoghill leading 1.11 to 0.2 at the break.
Gort Na Mona came out all guns blazing in the second half and a few long balls into the corner was to play dividends as Patrick McCaffrey and the lively Niall Melaney tagged on a couple of early points. The home side were now playing with a bit of spring in their step and Ahoghill were turned over in their half backline and Neil Henry was available to crash a great shot past Paddy Dougan in the St. Mary’s nets
Gort Na Mona were then provided the opportunity to close the gap even further when they were awarded a penalty. Dermot McVeigh stepped up and drove a fierce left footed shot towards the corner of the net but the outstretched leg of Paddy Dougan in goals deflected the ball over the bar.
Points from Donal Graham and PJ O’Connell settled the Ahoghill nerves as the referee blew for the water break. Both teams struggle to get scores in the closing quarter and as time was ticking away Gort Na Mona started to go route one but some solid defending from James Magee and Martin Graham kept them at bay.
The visitors broke from defence and James O’Connell got their first score for 10 minutess at the 22minute mark but the last scores were to come from Gort Na Mona as Dermot McVeigh and Niall Melaney tagged on a couple of late points.