ACFL Division One
Tir na nOg 1-11 St Mary’s Ahoghill 1-13
St Mary’s Ahoghill recorded their second victory in succession when they claimed the points in a close fought contest against the first division new boys Tir na nOg at Whitehill today. The visitors started slowly but came back strongly to gain a hard earned victory that may prove a valuable brace of points come season’s end.
Tir na nOg opened with intent as wing back Ciaran O’ Neill dominated the central zone and they looked good when they held a 0-04 to 0-01 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The high fielding wing man rose highest in the middle before opening the home side’s account with a stunning 2nd minute point.
James O’ Connell, who was excellent throughout for the visitors ensured his side were abreast when he fully punished a foul on Danny O’ Neill a couple of minutes later.
The Randalstown side had the bit between their teeth in the opening quarter with Ciaran O’ Neill’s dominating around the central zone and he added another point before a foul on Daniel Martin was punished when Darragh Feagan despatched the award between the posts to put the Whitehill side 0-04 to 0-01 ahead at the end of the opening quarter and they looked in complete control.
Having looked decidedly lethargic in the opening phase the Cloney side began to play their way into the game and having been under the cosh in the opening exchanges the tide was about to turn as full back James ‘Bobby’ Magee took control of the situation.
The central defender was first to a lofted Ciaran O’ Neill effort and started a sharp counter attack with Bernard Graham and Danny O’ Neill combining to place Conor Crossey who finished in some style past the home side’s net minder Sean Paul Mc Atamney ensuring the visitors a 1-02 to 0-04 advantage.
The Cloney side had grabbed the initiative and with Magee now dominant at the centre of the defence, James O’ Connell increased their lead with a fine 22nd minute point and his sibling PJ added another as the visitors enjoyed a period of supremacy.
The lively corner man’s shot at goal was blocked after he was set up by a smart Dan O’ Neill delivery but he reacted quickest to the rebound to send over the bar.
Tir na nOg had been under the cosh for a period but they did have the last say of the half as a superb long range effort from central defender Barry McCormick sailed over the black spot to reduce the deficit to 1-06 to 0-06 as the half time whistle sounded.
Ahoghill were quickly into their stride at the start of the second half and mid fielder Patrick Graham fired between the posts after less than a minute to increase their advantage.
The Whitehill side were quick to reply as a strong approach involving Ciaran 0’ Neill and Daniel Martin opened the way for Darragh Feagan to fire to the net and reduce the Ahoghill lead to the minimum at 1-06 to 1-05.
Ahoghill were forced into change at such juncture as a hamstring injury to Eoin Graham forced the wing back into early departure to be replaced by Diarmuid Graham.
Graham soon settled into the action and his first touch was vital as he sent Ruairi Graham away to raise white, and he then got on the end of a Bobby Magee clearance to Eamon Brady to add another.
The St Mary’s men were calling most of the shots as the second half progressed and a fine James O’ Connell point in the 40th minute ensured a 1-09 to 1-05 lead.
The home side were visibly struggling as the Ahoghill defence took a firm grip with a defiant last line of James Magee, Patrick Dougan and Bernard Graham turning everything that came their way.
The visitors were quick to change defence into attack and well organised counter opened the way for the O’ Connell brothers, James and PJ to add further points and at the end of the third quarter they had moved into a 1-11 to 1-06 lead.
Tir na nOg rang the changes in an effort to get their game going with the introduction of Christy Sheerin and Ciaran Dobbin adding impetus and they began to enjoy some success.
A long range Aaron McNeilly point stoked the fire of comeback and when Ciaran Dobbin added another it seemed the home side had regained the initiative.
It was a case of back to the wall for Ahoghill in the latter stages as the home side opted for high delivery as the best route to goal.
A long range point from Darragh Feagan reduced the gap to a manageable couple of points as the clock counted down and the comeback looked well within the bounds of possibility.
St. Mary’s were under siege but they were holding firm and they broke from defence again and the excellent James O’ Connell collected before delivering between the posts to ease the pressure.
As the game edged into injury time a Sean Duffin Point raised the home side’s hopes once again but the visitors made swift reply as a strong left sided approach opened the way for Neil ‘Boris’ O’ Connell to fire over.
Tir na nOg fought right to the end but a 65th minute point by Darragh Feagan from a 30 metre free was the last piece of action with Ahoghill claiming the bragging rights and what may prove to be a valuable couple of points in an action packed encounter.
Tir na nOg: S P Mc Atamney, Ethan 0’ Hagen, Brandon Mc Larnon, Barry Magee, Ciaran O’ Neill (0-02), Barry Mc Cormick (0-01), Caomhinn Duffin, Oliver Mc Atamney, Ryan O’ Neill, Aaron Mc Neilly (0-02), Sean Duffin (0-02), Darren O’ Kane, Daniel Martin, Darragh Feagan (1-03), Ciaran Logan
Subs:
Christy Sheerin
Ciaran Dobbin (0-01)
Ahoghill: Noel Crossey, Patrick Dougan, James Magee, Bernard Graham, Eoin Graham, Fionnbar O’ Neill, Eamon Brady, Patrick Graham (0-01), Neil O’Connell (0-01), James O’ Connell (0-05), Danny O’ Neill, Eoin Neeson, Conor Crossey (1-00), Ruairi Graham (0-03), PJ O’ Connell (0-03)
Subs:
Diarmuid Graham or Eoin Graham
Coola Mc Donald for Donal Graham
Referee: D O’ Neill (Gort na Mona)
