Antrim Football League – Division 2
Dunloy 1-11 Sarsfields 0-08
Full forward Michael Smith put in a man of the match performance as he helped himself to a goal and six points in a near perfect performance as the Dunloy men got their league season up and running with a well-deserved win.
That being said the Belfast men will be disappointed the game got away from them as they had taken the first two scores of the second half to reduce the lead to the minimum. However, they lost the momentum which allowed Dunloy, and Smith, to take control of the game.
Prior to throw in both sets of players and the crowd observed a minutes silence in memory of Billy McAlea and Dan Smyth who passed away this week.
A lively start to the game was made by both sides who were keen to all get a first touch of the ball with it being the first game of the season. Despite all the passing and movement it took 5 mins for either side to get on the board.
Sarsfield’s who it was who opened the scoring from the boot of Kevin McKernan following some good inter play.
Dunloy didn’t take long to respond, and it was the first and only goal of the game that put them in front, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish for the remainder of the game. Deaglan Smith who was making a return to the side following his rehab from injury fed Karl Fitzpatrick but his shot was well saved by Michael Brady, but the rebound fell kindly to Micky Smith who tapped home from close range.
Sarsfield’s did respond soon after with a point from a free by Brian Healy after Kevo McKernan was fouled by the Dunloy defence. This was the trend of the first half as both sides exchanged points with each other along with some, to be expected, wides.
Karl Fitzpatrick, Micky Smith, and Ryan McFarlane all landed points for Dunloy with Thomas Skillen and Joe McNally splitting the Dunloy posts in between the home sides scores to leave it 1-04 to 0-04 to the home side at the half time whistle.
The Belfast men came out a changed side with the slight slope and breeze at their back as they dominated the first ten minutes of the second half. Full back Eamonn Quinn was having a really good game in the Sarsfield’s defence and battle with Micky Smith as the visitors took control of the game. First Kevin McKernan fired over to reduce the arrears before Miceal Ferris blasted over a beautiful point to leave it 1 between the sides.
However, Sarsfield’s failed to make anymore headway into that Dunloy back line as the next 20 mins of the game was completely dominated by the home side. Full forward Micky Smith went on a scoring blitz as he helped himself to five of the remaining six scores.
A free by the full forward, after Caolan Gillan was fouled, restored a two-point lead which corner forward Shane Dooey increased to three. Another Smith free kept the stream of scores for the home side after younger brother Deaglan was hauled down close in.
The home side should have been home and coasting after a penalty was awarded by the referee when Smith was pulled down from behind. Karl Fitzpatrick’s spot kick was well saved by Sarsfields goalkeeper Brady which he turned around the post for a 45.
Dunloy didn’t let that affect them as Micky Smith tapped over two more scores with the game petering out and both side using their full quota of subs. Skillen and McKernan did restore some pride with the final two scores of the game.
Played in fantastic sunshine both sides served up a good entertaining match for the crowd minus any of their County players who were competing against Laois in the National Hurling League.
Dunloy were fully deserving of their win with a strong second half showing however this young Sarsfields team won’t be reading too much into the first league game of the season.
For the visitors keeper Brady had a really fine hour with a few great saves, notably that penalty stop. Full back Eamonn Quinn also had a really good game along with the wing half backs.
Up front Kevin McKernan worked hard but like the rest of the forwards found the Dunloy defence solid.
For Dunloy the whole defence had a good game with little by way of major errors. Up front Micky Smith was the pick of the forwards finishing with 1-06 for his efforts.
Dunloy
C McGilligan, S Martin Ryan, A Scullion, C McCloskey, O Quinn, C Scullion, P McGilligan, K McQuillan, P McQuillan, K Fitzpatrick (0-01), D Smith, R McFarlane (0-01), C Gillan, M Smith (1-06), S Dooey (0-01)
Sarsfields
Michael Brady, Kieran Carson, Eamonn Quinn, Nial McDonald, Philip McPeake, Niall McAlea, Ethan Mervyn, Cormac Murray, Garry Lennon, Kevin Floyd, Kevin McKernan, Micael Ferris, Brian Healy, Joe McNally, Tomas Skillen.
Referee – John Moran
