OB Construction IFC – Group 1
Dunloy 8-12 Ardoyne 1-6
Saturday August 13
Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy
Eight goal rout puts Dunloy back in the frame
Dunloy kick started their championship campaign on Saturday afternoon by ruthlessly dismissing the challenge of Ardoyne at Pearse Park. Scoring eight goals and but for some magic from Ardoyne ‘keeper Tiernan Hughes, it could have been more. The Cuchullains had three major chances before scoring their first while Hughes made a string of top drawer saves in the second half.
It was the reaction the Cuchullains needed after suffering defeat to Sarsfields on the opening day of this years championship. Ardoyne came into the contest off the back of a good win over St Pat’s but their Intermediate Championship fate lays in the balance after this game, they will welcome the Paddies to their turf when the group comes to a close.
In the sweltering heat, hydration was the order of the day. The water-break was back, a welcome addition to this tie but the first half was mainly all one way traffic with the home side squeezing the middle third and leaving Ardoyne camped in their own half.
Dunloy’s first goal came just after the water-break through half back Anton McGrath. Showing plenty of composure to side step the Ardoyne challenges, McGrath finished well. The Cuchullains had already held a four point lead by that stage and Ardoyne ‘keeper Hughes was already a busy man to deny, Nigel Elliott, Oran Quinn and Conal Cunning.
The second Dunloy major came in the next attack. Coby Cunning providing the assist and the returning Keelan Molloy with his first of two goals in the game.
Quinn notched Dunloy’s third, bombing forward and linking well with Cunning. Quinn’s major epitomised his performance. Power and pace with a bagful of intensity.
Ardoyne’s attacks into the Dunloy half were fleeting at best and with two minutes of the half remaining, they only had a Conor McLaughlin point to show for their efforts and trailed by 14 points. They finished the half with a brace of points however, frees from McLaughlin and Aidan McNeill left the half time score 3-6 to 0-3 to the home side.
The second half was more of the same dominance from the Cuchullains. Ardoyne did open the scoring with Ciaran McNeill making it three unanswered but Dunloy turned the screw. Eoin Gillan and Nigel Elliott pointed before Elliott assisted Molloy’s second major in the 35th minute.
The Dunloy lead stood at 17 points when Caolan Gillan scored their fifth goal. ‘Booter’ would finish a flowing move that involved Molloy, Cunning and Quinn.
Dunloy began to empty their sub bench but their attack prowess remained. On the field barely minutes, Tom McFerran scored his first of two goals in a lively cameo performance.
Ardoyne did have some joy and finally managed to breach the Dunloy rear guard. The Cuchullains defence were organised and tenacious throughout but Kevin Lynch stole in behind after good work from McNeill to score Ardoyne’s goal in the 58th minute.
The Dunloy response was epic. Two further majors from Tom McFerran and Coby Cunning ensured an emphatic win for the home side.
TEAMS
Dunloy: Christopher Brogan; Oran Quinn, Aaron Crawford, Cahir McCloskey; Eoin McFerran, Kevin McQuillan, Anton McGrath; Ryan McGarry, Ryan McFarline; Keelan Molloy, Eoin Gillan, Conal Cunning; Nigel Elliott, Chrissy McMahon, Caolan Gillan
Subs: Tom McFerran for N Elliott (49); Anthony Smith for K Molloy (49); Adrian Smith for A Crawford (49); Ciaran McQuillan for R McGarry (54); Ciaran Doherty for O Quinn (56)
Scorers: K Molloy 2-2 (1f); T McFerran 2-00; C Gillan 1-2 (2 ‘45s); C Cunning 1-2; C McMahon 0-3; O Quinn 1-00; A McGrath 1-00; E Gillan 0-2; N Elliott 0-1
Ardoyne: Tiernan Hughes; Patrick Montgomery, Oisin McVicker, Fiontann Marley; Eoghan Corrigan, Kevin McLaughlin, Gary McKernan; Declan McCormick, Kevin Lynch; Aidan McNeill, Cahal Keown, Conor McLaughlin; Pearse Marley, Ciaran McNeill, Alan Davidson
Subs: Daniel Moore for K McLaughlin (20); Oisin Hickey for G McKernan (38); Conor Magee for A Davidson (41); Odhran Mullan for E Corrigan (51)
Scorers: C McLaughlin 0-3 (2fs); K Lynch 1-00; A McNeill 0-2 (2f); Ciaran McNeill 0-1
Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)
