ACHL DIVISION 2
Cloney Gaels 4-22 Carryduff 0-14
For the second time in three days Cloney Gaels proved too hot to handle when they entertained a Carryduff sides who had been going well in the league this season but had no answer to a rampant home side in Ahoghill tonight.
The visitors showed glimpses of the form that saw them beat St. Gall’s on Sunday to climb into 4th place in the league when they moved into a 0-2 to 0-1 lead by the 4th minute with the excellent Gareth Lynch and Darragh Goodwin on target and PJ O’Connell replying for the Ahoghill side.
Donal Graham from over 60 meters and James O’Connell from a ‘65’ moved the Gaels two in front but Donal Rooney from two long range frees brought matters level by the11th minute and it looked like we were in for a close encounter at this stage.
The Co Down men were holding their own and when Darragh Goodwin pointed them ahead again in the 12th minute it looked like the home side were in for a tough night but this score seemed to bring them to life and Tomas McGlone took a deft hand pass from Donal Graham to fire past Conor McLornan in the ‘Duff’ goals to give his side a lead they would not lose for the remainder of the game.
James O’Connell, Dan O’Neill and PJ O’Connell added points with Conor McAlister and Gareth Lynch replying for Carryduff before the home side hit a purple patch in the second quarter to put decisive distance between the sides.
James O’Connell continued to give a masterful display of free taking with two on the trot and Donal Graham added another from play before James O’Connell got in for his side’s second goal in the 23d minute and suddenly the Cloney lead had increased to 11 points.
James O’Connell added a ‘65’ and McLornan in ther visitor’s goal made a good save to deny PJ O’Connell before James O’Connell struck from another free with two minutes remaining to the break and Carryduff were struggling to cope with the pace and movement of their opponents.
They steadied the ship in the closing minutes of the half however with Darragh Goodwin and Conall Early replying with points but the final point of the half fell to Cloney’s Ronan Graham to leave his side leading 2-14 to 0-8 at the break and very much in control.
Carryduff were first on target on the resumption of play with the hard working Michael Conway pointing in the opening minute but Cloney Gaels replied through James O’Connell and Bernard Graham.
The visitors were giving it everything and Sean O’Callaghan responded with a good point but James O’Connell continued to punish every indiscretion from another free and it was going to take something special to turn this game in favour of the Down side.
The impressive Gareth Lynch was doing his best to provide it as he fired over a couple of points at the other end but he was being made to work hard for his scores by a determined James ’Bobby’ Magee and was forced too often to go it alone.
PJ O’Connell’s goal at the end of the third quarter more or less put matters to bed though Lynch and O’Callaghan replied at the other end to bring the visitors total to 0-14 but substitute Colla McDonnell rubbed salt in the wound with a fourth Cloney goal to leave his side convincing winners.
This win moves Cloney Gaels back into second place, a point behind Cathaoir an Ri while Carryduff now need a win at St. Paul’s on Sunday and hope that either Glenariffe or Creggan slip on the same day if they are to make the top 6 after the split.
Cloney Gaels: 1 Francis Neeson, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 James Magee, 4 Diarmuid Graham, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Bernard Graham, 7 Dan O’Neill, 8 Eamonn rady, 9 Neil O’Connell, 10 Owen Neeson, 11 Tom McGlone, 12 Ronan Graham, 12 PJK O’Connell, 14 Donal Graham, 15 James O’Connell. Subs: Patrick Graham, Patrick Dougan, Colla McDonnell, Charlie McCloskey
Carryduff: 1 Conor McLornan, 2 Niall McArdle, 3 Conor Cassidy, 4 Ciaran Goodwin, 5 Chris McConville, 6 Conor McAlister, 7 James Woods, 8 Michael Conway, 9 Mark McConville, 10 Darragh Goodwin, 11 Sean O’Callaghan, 12 Donal Rooney, 13 Conor Beatty, 14 Gareth Lynch, 15 Conall Early, Subs: 24 Conor McCormick, 19 Lorcan McCaughey, 17 Feargal Casey,
Referee: Michael Hardy (Rasharkin)
