Homefit ACFL Division One
Portglenone 1-14-0-11 Lámh Dhearg
Kevin Herron reports from Kelly Park
Photographs: Colleen Webb Photograph
Portglenone had six-points to spare in the end as they saw off a disjointed Lámh Dhearg side on a score line of 1-14-0-11 at Kelly Park on Wednesday evening.
Oisin Doherty’s first half goal helped the Bannsiders to a 1-07-0-06 advantage at the break and the hosts would outscore the Hannahstown side 0-07-0-02 until a late spree in the dying embers made the margin closer than it appeared.
The Lámhs were first off the mark in Kelly Park thanks to a converted Paddy Cunningham free, but Conall Delargy steered over the equaliser and the hosts took control of the opening quarter thereafter.
They would survive a brief scare beforehand though when Conor Murray scuffed a shot off the post.
Patrick Kelly nudged his side infront for the first time and would extend the lead from a converted free that was angled over close to the side-line.
It was all too easy for Portglenone as Conor McGhee clipped another shot over the top and Conall Delargy doubled his tally after bending a high shot inside the large posts to make it 0-05-0-01.
Paddy Cunningham shot over a fantastic score with the outside of the boot to give his side a much-needed lift and Conor Murray squeezed a shot over in the aftermath.
Things were getting better for the visitors with Ryan Murray landing a nice point to reduce arrears to the bare minimum.
However, the opening goal of the game would undo the Lámhs hard work of the previous eight minutes.
Oisin Doherty had possession popped into his path by Conor McGhee and his shot appeared to deceive John Finucane and looped into the net to give his side a 1-05-0-04 lead.
Paddy Cunningham notched up his third point of the half with his second converted free, although Patrick Kelly mirrored his free taking counterpart- sending one over at the other end to join him on three points; with two from the placed ball.
The duo traded further scores from the same source before the break as Portglenone held a 1-07-0-06 advantage at the midway point.
Lámh Dhearg reduced the deficit early in the second period as Cunningham kicked his fourth free of the evening, though Caolan Tierney guided his effort over the bar at the other end.
Marc Jordan had a glorious opportunity for goal early after playing a one-two with Declan Dunne and steaming down on goal, but he lifted his shot high and wide of the post.
Portglenone increased their lead when Patrick Kelly kicked a magnificent free of the deck from 45’ yards out and Oisin Doherty added to his first-half goal as he swung over an angled point.
The Lámhs response came in the form of another Cunningham free from in front of the posts, though Michael Hagan shot over and Conor McGhee conjured up his second of the evening to put his side 1-12-0-08 ahead.
The hosts pressed on with further scores coming courtesy of Ruairi Hagan and Patrick Kelly (free).
Lámh Dhearg would kick the last three scores with talisman Paddy Cunningham hitting two further frees to bring his personal tally to 0-08 and Conor Murray swinging a shot over to double his account- but it was scant consolation at that juncture as Portglenone had safely wrapped up the points.
Portglenone: R O’Neill, K O’Kane, J Convery, R Delargy, C Tierney (0-01), C McKenna, C McGhee (0-02), N Delargy, D McAleese, R Hagan (0-01), M Hagan (0-01), S Kelly, O Doherty (1-01), P Kelly (0-06, 0-05f), C Delargy (0-02). Subs: A McAleese for M Hagan (47), R Kelly for C Delargy (51), M Donnelly for P Kelly (53), P Carey for R Hagan (56), D McNichol for J Convery (60).
Lámh Dhearg: J Finucane, M Hynes, M McGarry, R Murray, D Smith, D Lynch, B Rice, D Dunne, M Jordan, R Murray (0-01), O McKeown, C Maxwell, P Cunningham (0-08, 0-07f), C Murray (0-02), T McCrudden. Subs: K Quinn for M Hynes (41), S Tully for D Dunne (44), K Fay-Kelly for B Rice (50),A Byrne for C Maxwell (52), E Campbell for R Murray (60).
Referee: Mark O’Neill (Glen Rovers, Armoy)
