ACHL Division 2
Shane O’Neill’s 1-17 Sarsfield’s 0-18
Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm got their division 2 campaign off to a winning start when they held off a late rally from Patrick Sarsfields at Feystown today in difficult conditions. In their first game at this level since 2008 the Glenarm men led from throw in to final whistle to earn them the win that will surely give them the confidence they can compete at this level.
Glenarm came flying out of the starting blocks with Darren Hamill pointing them ahead within 30 seconds and points from Sean O’Boyle, Aidan Scullion, Hamill again and Niall McGarel had them 0-5 to 0-0 ahead after 7 minutes.
Kevin McKernan, who would make a considerable contribution over the hour, opened the visitors account from long range but it seemed only a temporary blip as the Feystown side came roaring back with points from Liam Og McLoughlin, Sean O’Hare, Ciaran Magill and Sean O’Boyle to move them into a 0-9 to 0-1 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
The visitors looked shell shocked and off the pace but gradually they began to settle and gain a foothold with Kevin McKernan leading the way with a pointed free with McGarel replying immediately at the other end.
The worsening underfoot conditions were making open play difficult with things starting to get bogged down and Sarsfields started to get to grips as Garry Lennon 0-2, Enda McCartan and Nial McAlea added unanswered points to close the gap to four with five minutes of the opening half remaining.
It was starting to look bad for the home side who had gone 13 minutes without a score but they responded with the final two points of the half through a Darren Hamill free and another from play from Niall McGarel to move six in front as the half time whistle sounded.
With the wind to face for the second half, the question on everyone’s lips was, would six points be enough but Niall McGarel eased their worries with a point on the restart before Ciaran Magill hammered home the game’s opening goal with only a minute gone to move last year’s Junior champions ten in front.
It looked a healthy lead but in the end that goal was to prove the difference as Sarsfield’s came back through the sweet striking Kevin McKernan who converted five frees and hit another from play to close the gap to five at the end of the third quarter.
Once again the Glenarm lead was looking fragile but they responded through Ciaran Magill and another Darren Hamill free but the men from the Bear Pit were beginning to apply relentless pressure as the game turned into a battle of attrition.
And once again it was that man McKernan who led the way as he continued to punish indiscretions by the home defence and he brought his personal tally for the day to nine to add to an Anthony McGarrigle point from play and suddenly Shane O’Neill’s lead had been reduced to the minimum as the game entered time added on.
Darren Hamill had the final say however for the home side as he pointed a long range free in injury time to conclude the scoring and Lorenzo McMullan’s full time whistle was greeted with a mixture of relief and elation by the big home crowd who had turned up to cheer on their heroes.
Shane O’Neill’s: 1 Michael Abram, 2 Aidan O’Neill, 3 Barry Hamill, 4 Conal Ward, 5 Matthew Black, 6 Daniel Black, 7 Aidan Scullion, 8 Kieran O’Boyle, 9 Liam Og McLoughlin, 10 Ciaran Magill, 11 Darren Hamill, 12 Sean O’Boyle, 13 Sean O’Hare, 14 Brendan McDermott, 15 Niall McGarel. Subs: 17 Rory Mulvenna for Aidan O’Neill, Liam Mulvenna for Sean O’Hare
Sarsfield’s: 1 Naoise O’Faolain, 2 Daragh Coleman, 3 Mark McCavanagh, 4 Brenan McGibbon, 5 Enda McCartan, 6 Daniel Smith, 7 Jim, McKernan, 8 Kevin McKernan, 9 Joe McGurk, 10 Garry Lennon, 11 Ryan Carson, 12 Anthony McGarrigle, 13 Daniel McKernan, 14 Niall McAlea, 15 Brendan Jackson, 18 Ruairi McAreavey
Referee: Lorenzo McMullan