ACHL Division 2
Cathaoir an Ri 1-14 Bredagh 0-12
Cathaoir an Ri moved two points clear of visitors Bredagh after their five point win over their County Down visitors to Carey tonight. Both sides went into this game on 8 points from 4 starts but a goal from Caolan McCaughan in the third minute sent the home time on their way to an important victory.
There seemed no eminent danger when McCaughan received the sliotar about thirty yards from goal but he took a couple of steps before firing an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net when a point looked like the easier option.
Sean Hughes had opened the scoring from a pointed free for the Down men and he was to play a major part in his side’s effort to take something out of this game but Bredagh were too dependent on their excellent number 15 for scores as over the hour he was responsible for 0-10 of their 0-12 total.
The Ballyvoy side had an equally impressive performer in Conlith McKinley who dictated matters around mid-field and contributed 0-11 over a very efficient hours hurling.
The game itself was played in difficult conditions with a strong swirling wind blowing throughout the game but slightly favouring the home side in the opening half. Cathaoir on Ri made full use of the elements and looked in a strong position when they led 1-7 to 0-4 at the half way stage.
All four of Bredagh’s first half points came from Sean Hughes with only one of those from play while the home side pushed on from McCaughan’s early strike on goal to add points from three Conlith McKinley frees and another from play while Paddy McBride and James Rocket Black were their other first half point scorers.
‘Rocket’ extended his side’s lead to seven on the restart and while the visitors threw everything at the opposition and played some nice hurling during the second half they were never able to find a way through a strong and determined Cathaoir an Ri defence in which Somhairle Mathers, Sean McBride and James McCouaig were outstanding.
Hughes continued to provide the greatest scoring threat as he pointed four from play and another from a free by the 40th minute but the Ballyvoy side were always able to respond with Conlith McKinley hitting three on the bounce to maintain daylight between the sides.
The closing stages became a shootout between the Bredagh number 15 Hughes and the Cathaoir an Ri’s McKinley who finished up with 0-11 in a man of the match performance with Sean McGourty and Ryan Curran hitting a couple of late points for the visitors.
This win moves Cathaoir an Ri onto 10 points from 5 starts, one more than Cloney Gaels who recorded a big win over St. Paul’s tonight and their opponents Bredagh who find themselves another point behind after tonight’s game.
