Homefit  ACFL Division 1

Tir na nOg  1-06 St John’s 2-15

After a slow start to the season, St. John’s have started to climb the table and today they proved too strong for Tir na nOg at Whitehill. With Matthew Fitzpatrick and Brian Bam Neeson back in harness and the split approaching the Whiterock men are certain to take their place in the top six and that was far from certain in the opening phase of the season but in current form they will prove a match for anyone in the run in to the league title.

Tir na nOg, despite being understrength opened on a positive note and an early goal by centre back Barry Mc Cormick following good work by Declan Mallon and Ciaran Dobbin saw the central defender finish to the net in style.

The Johnnies took a time to settle but despite the early setback they proceeded to dominate in the central zone and with Simon McDonagh and Ryan McNulty ruling the roost they were abreast of their hosts by the 10^th minute.

Matthew Fitzpatrick opened their account with a fine 5^th minute point and as Ryan Mc Nulty and Conor Hand followed suit it was 1-00 to 0-03.

Despite their swift get away the Whitehill side struggled to regain a foothold as the city men strode forward, strong in the defensive and dominant in the middle and points from Matthew Fitzpatrick, Padraig Nugent, and pace laden Conhuir Adams saw them three ahead 0-06 to 1-00.

The home side struggled to return fire but a strong piece of defending by Barry Mc Cormick and a fine catch opened the way for Conor Hastings to raise an 18^th minute white flag.

Kevin Kerr soon added another to the home side’s total but the visitors returned to dominance in the latter stages of the half.

Conor Hastings did add a point to the home sides total in the 25^th minute and Dara Feagan fired over from 50 metres to add another but this provoked a prompt response from the visitors and a Jack Bohill cross opened the way for Conal Quinn to fire to the net.

 SP Mc Atamney had stood tall to defy the visitors several times but he was helpless to deny Quinn on this occasion and at half time St John’s led 1-08 to 1-04 and looked in charge.

The visitors started the second half aided slightly by the strong diagonal breeze and opened with back to back points via early replacement Luke Peden and Conan Mc Glade after quick interchange involving Ciaran Garland, Simon Mc Donagh, and Adrian Oliver.

The elegant Aaron Mc Neilly replied with a fine point but back came St. |John’s with points from Patrick Mc Bride and the Corrigan side had nipped into a 1-12 to 1-05 lead and the issues looked resolved at the start of the last quarter.

St. John’s pressed home their advantage in the final quarter when Padraig Nugent’s delivery opened the way for Matthew Fitzpatrick to plant the leather in the far corner of the net and the die was most certainly cast.

Aaron McNeilly replied with  a point to the home side but this was not to be a good day for Michael O’ Kane’s depleted charges keeper Bam Neeson guessed right when his opposite number SP Mc Atamney came forward to take a 58^th minute spot kick after replacement Joe O’ Mahoney was fouled in the square.

Matthew Fitzpatrick had the last say in proceedings to complete a fine individual performance when a Ciaran Johnston delivery sent the full forward away to hoist a 61^st minute white flag to ensure a 2-15 to 1-06 win for the Corrigan men.

 Tir nanOg: S P Mc Atamney, Declan Mallon, Peter Cullen, Cahir Duffin, Ciaran O’ Neill, Barry Mc Cormick (1-00), Aaron Mc Neilly (0-02), Pearce Sheerin, Sean Duffin, Kevin Kerr (0-01), Conor Hastings (0-02), Ciaran Mc Kenna, Gerard Martin, Daryl Feagan (0-01), Ciaran Duffin

Subs

D O’ Kane for P Sheerin

John O’ Mahoney for G Martin

St John’s: Brian Neeson, Damian Mac Eochaid, Conor Bohill, Ciaran Garland, Padraig Nugent (0-01), Adrian Oliver, Ronan Mc Caffrey, Simon Mc Donagh, Ryan Mc Nulty (0-03), Patrick Mc Bride (0-04), Loughlin Mc Curdy, Conal Mc Glade (1-01), Conor Hand (0-02), Matthew Fitzpatrick (1-04), Conhuir Adams (0-01)

Subs

Luke Peden (0-01) for R Mc Caffrey

Lorcan Hennan for L Mc Curdy

Ciaran Johnston for R Mc Nulty

C J Mc Namee for C Hand

Carl Mc Avoy for C Adams

Referee: Karol Doherty (Rasharkin)