ACHL Division 2
Glenariffe Oisin 1-19 – Cloney Gaels 2-19
Goals from youngsters Paddy Dougan in the 28th minute of the first half and another from Colla McDonnell in the opening minute of the second turned this well contested ACHL Division 2 encounter in Waterfoot in favour of visitors Cloney Gaels.
Following an opening day win over Tir na nOg in Ahoghill the visitors were hoping to make it two from two while the Oisin’s were hoping to get points on board following their defeat to Cathaoir an Ri were aiming to open their account.
In a hard hitting first half it was Glenariffe who looked to be heading into the interval with their noses in front with Dan McKillop converting half a dozen frees to punish indiscretions by the visitors. Alex O’Boyle, Aaron Cosgrove and Oliver Kearney were all on target for the Waterfoot men but James and PJ O’Connell, youngster Colla McDonnell, Ronan Graham, Tomas McGlone and Bernard Graham kept the Cloney side within touching distance before Paddy Dougan finished to the Oisin’s net to give his side a slender two point lead at the interval.
Colla McDonnell was having an increasing influence on proceedings and the corner forward struck again in the opening minute of the second half to move Cloney Gaels five points clear before striking his side’s 10th point, two minutes later.
James O’Connell added another as Glenariffe fought hard to get their own game together with points from Alex O’Boyle and Ben O’Boyle from play and another McKillop free but the Ahoghill men were always able to keep their noses in front as James O’Connell, Dan O’Neill and Donal Graham split the posts.
PJ O’Connell for the visitors and Alex O’Boyle for Glenariffe traded two points apiece to keep the Cloney Gaels six in front before Ben O’Boyle fired home his side’s only goal to leave just three in it with ten minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish.
Glenariffe threw everything at the opposition with Dan McKillop converting two frees and adding another from play but a determined Ahoghill were always able to find a response as Colla McDonnell, Owen Neeson and Dan O’Neill replied with points to keep the gap at three as Ciaran McCloskey sounded his full time whistle.